Chapter 9

Johnny and Roy met at a nearby coffee shop for breakfast.

And to unwind! It was safe to say both men were angry with the visiting doctor. Roy especially did not want to go home and upset his wife or children. Johnny especially did not want to meet up with Kelly Brackett and get grilled.

First they took turns venting. Then when that had run its course Roy started in on how to continue to do their jobs competently and thoroughly even with the negative comments and nasty looks.

Both were glad they'd not have to deal with Dr. Hu again!

Of course, they also knew they'd be working with another naysayer the following day. And then all the negative attitudes over in Hawaii.

"We are going to have to keep a united force, Junior," Roy said seriously.

"I agree," Johnny said. "I'll work on not over-reacting."

"We're gonna have to work on not reacting at all!" Roy stressed. He sipped at his coffee and pushed his empty plate aside.

"Yeah," Gage looked a bit depressed. "Guess I have to give you permission to step on my foot or pinch me if I step out of line." This caused his partner to grin.

"Hey, I definitely am giving you permission to do that to me!" Roy said, placing a hand on his friend's forearm. Their eyes met and Johnny returned the smile.

" 'K," he agreed. "I'll keep you in line too, Pally!" With that they settled their bill and went to their homes.

Johnny had hoped he'd stayed out long enough that Kel would be gone into work. He just didn't feel like discussing the past 24 hours; at least not until he had a few hours to rest up. When he turned down his street he looked out for the doctor's car and was relieved to see it gone.

Dodged that bullet!

He entered his home and found a note propped up in his basket. He opened it and glanced over the terse words that requested he be available to discuss the previous day's 'experience'. The carrot dangled was dinner at McKenna's. Johnny had to chuckle. Kel wasn't able to take his guests there so he'd 'force' his room mate to go.

Which was more than fine, a good meal, even better dessert, would go far in placating the paramedic. Especially given he'd be discussing Dr. Hu. Yuck!

The visiting doctors had the day "off". They were expected to discuss and reflect on their previous day's (or 24-hours') experiences with one another and fill out a questionnaire regarding that time period.

"How do the 'powers that be' come up with this crap?" Dr. Hu spat out as she looked over the five page document, complete with an envelop to drop immediately into the mail.

"I guess we're just 'benefitting' from others' misery," Dr. Stewart shrugged. "I mean, these forms look pretty standard and would fit implementing a wide variety of programs."

"I can say, without reservation, every single 'rescue' I observed did not require any special training," Hu began as she printed out her name and date at the top of her papers.

"Even that cardiac run?" her counterpart asked. "She would have been dead, or as good as, if she hadn't received the electro shock and meds." She rolled her eyes.

"Only because she didn't follow her med regime, I'm sure," Hu groused. Now he rolled his eyes.

"From what we learned she had followed her regime," Stewart enunciated clearly. "Her physician decided to change her medications in favor of a newly released drug. She was to call him and report any problems. That was her call - straight to the paramedics because she was having severe chest pains."

But Hu wasn't buying it, stressing she should have gone right to the ER for treatment, not waited for a middle man. The extra time of the squad reaching her instead of heading in was the crux of the problem. In her estimation John and Roy were just over-trained EMTs and completely unnecessary.

"Look, Madyline," Don tried, "I'd agree with you wholeheartedly, except yesterday I saw several patients that would have been dead if not for the 'middle man'. Just the hydration after severe blood loss kept one more person alive yesterday."

"I did not go to school for over 10 years to be replaced by minimally trained firemen," she cut to the bottom line. "I will not relinquish my control of a critically injured or ill person to a glorified EMT!"

"Duly noted, doctor," Stewart ground out and began to fill out his own set of papers. Discussion would not be profitable in any shape or form. As they were writing an Asian man walked up with a bright smile.

"If I'm not mistaken you're the visiting physicians from Hawaii," he said. "My name is Frank Itora, I'm the Captain from Station 16 in Honolulu. My crew is here as part of the cross-training program with LA County Fire and Rescue." Don offered his hand.

"You're right!" he said with a friendly smile. "I'm Don Stewart from Queens Medical Center and this is Dr. Madyline Hu from Castle Medical Center."

"Ah, we work in your hospital's area," Itora said as they shook hands. "I know that Castle's trauma center is top notch as well," he said with a nod to Dr. Hu, who did not offer her hand.

"We're having a private discussion, Mr. Itora," she said with ice dripping from her tongue.

"Yes, ma'am," he reverted to the formalities. "I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know you're welcome to join us today for some shopping. Carole has it in her head that she has to go to Rodeo Drive." This caused Stewart to chuckle.

"Yups, the shopping experience," he smiled. "You know, I might just take you up on that. I wouldn't mind looking around and I'd feel safer in a group of ohana than by myself in this pupule city!"

"Great! We're going to meet about 10:30 in the lobby," he explained. "My LA counter-part and his wife are joining us. The kids are staying with my Engineer and his wife to go down to the pool and basically hang out here.

"I'll see you at 10:30 then," Don said. Itora smiled and headed off. Hu just glared.

"Oh, so you're going to 'hang out' with da firefighters, eh?" she taunted. "That's right, you were all excited about riding on the fire truck." Stewart just stared at her in amazement.

"I never knew you were so negative Madyline," he said. "I agree, I have been against this legislation and program, but you take it to a whole new level."

"That is your opinion, doctor," she emphasized. "I personally do not want my job taken from me by those... paramedics." The utter disdain in her tone made him feel sorry for the men she observed yesterday. They finished their paperwork in strained silence. Stewart finished his coffee and went to mail his forms.

He did not say 'goodbye'.

If Frank had known exactly how horrid the previous shift had been, (he'd gone with Matt over to the 10s) he would have steered clear of the two doctors. But he didn't, and he did want to build up the rapport he'd experienced at Rampart. One way was to socialize with the head of ER at Queens.

So at ten thirty he and Carole came down to the lobby and met up with Dr. Stewart. Maddie was with them and graciously shook the man's hand, introducing himself. Then they waited for less than five minutes when Emily Stanley and her children came in.

"Carole!, Frank!" she waved as she walked to them. "Hello, Maddie." Itora introduced her to the Hawaiian doctor. She looked a bit startled at first, but tooled her face into the charming hostess smile she wore so well. She shooed her two children off with the engineer and led the adults out to their car.

Hank had a harder time steeling his face into a pleasant visage, having a bad taste in his mouth from the doctor's colleague. But Frank had invited the man along and they had offered a day around LA shopping and eating. So he smiled brightly and welcomed 'Don' to the city.

When Brackett arrived home, at the ungodly early hour of 6:30, he found his house mate dressed and ready for dinner, a tumbler of Maker's Mark at the ready.

"Just while you get ready," Gage gave him his most disarming crooked smile.

"That bad?" the doctor sipped.

"That bad," the paramedic confirmed.

So Kel cleaned up and changed into more comfortable clothing. He'd already made reservations so he had no problems there. But the conversation would probably not be... uplifting. So he handed his car keys to Johnny and poured another stingy inch into his glass.

"8 p.m." he stated. Another smile. He tossed it back and nodded towards the door.

Four hours later, a full-stomach and properly 'medicated', Kel was feeling mu-uch better. That Johnny was still a bit agitated did not figure into his equation.

They'd talked. A lot. Hu was finally consigned to the 'out file' as Kel put it. Not to be bothered with. Stewart, Stewart was the one to work on! He'd been very impressed with the man's reaction in the ER and knew he'd be even more impressed with his paramedic team.

Johnny, on the other hand, had to deal with the negativity. In spades. With his partner. Oh, yeah, Kel was his friend, but he really didn't know how much it hurt to be put down over and over and over (did he mention over?) again by respected doctors. It made him feel like a damned trained chimp, which was the only thing Hu hadn't compared him to.

Maybe he should take out a bet about their 'living experiment'. It'd be over NOW.

But if nothing else, Gage could make allowances for his friend. His highly over-educated friend. He'd just wait for sobriety to make his final points over again. For the sake of their friendship he'd at least had to give Kel that.

The next morning came with a lot of coffee. And aspirin. Johnny had forced a lot of water on the doctor the evening before which helped some. But now they were going to work; him with Stewart and the knowledge the doctor was impressed with what he'd seen the previous shift. Kel with Hu, who definitely did not want a paramedic even vacationing in Hawaii.

Gage knew that Brackett was not prepared for the vicious negativity the woman was capable of dishing out. With that knowledge he headed off to work. Maybe he wouldn't have to talk with the man about how he felt. Hu might just do it for him.

Stewart happily walked into Station 51 and sought out Hank Stanley. The captain had been a gracious host the previous day and after a little pressure detailed what a disaster Hu's visit had been. Well, he'd just have to make sure this 24 was better!

"Good morning, Don!" Hank smiled and shook the doctor's hand. The paramedics watched with some trepidation from the side of the squad. Their Cap brought the observer to them and made introductions.

"Dr. Stewart," Johnny shook his hand with a terse grin.

"Doctor," Roy managed to be even more frugal with words. Stewart clapped his hands together.

"So, show me what this baby has!" he said with enthusiasm. This earned a set of side glances between the paramedics. But they did begin opening compartment doors and showing off the equipment.

Instead of the subtle and unsubtle criticisms, Stewart was very interested in the equipment and meds available to the paramedics. He asked how many babies had come in the world through their hands and actually seemed a bit jealous as they'd actually brought more in than himself.

The defibrillator was checked out then the meds box was taken apart and put back together, the list of needed items noted on Roy's pocket pad.

"Seven doses of morphine?" he asked. "Why not ten like everything else?"

"We have had problems with theft," Gage said.

"It had been dropped to four two summers back," DeSoto added. "There was a string of robberies and the thieves got bold. They even kidnapped Johnny!" The bad memories caught the younger paramedic by surprise and Roy put a hand on his shoulder in support.

"Damn, I'm sorry to hear that," Stewart said with complete sincerity. "It must have been hell, not knowing where your partner was and you, being taken." They hadn't expected the empathy and both looked at the doctor.

"Yeah," Roy said thickly. "But we got ya back, Junior, that's what's important."

"Yeah," Johnny managed. Then he mentally shook himself and gave the doctor a tight grin.

"They just put us back to seven in May," he said. "Couple bad MVAs we ran out and people were in pain."

"Morphine really is a godsend when you're dealing with severe pain," Stewart agreed. "It'd be tough having to wait to get to the hospital to get a dose."

For the first time the paramedics felt the flush of hope this doctor would be different. They went through the rest of the compartments then Roy handed the doctor a helmet. With a boyish grin the man put it on.

"Trust me, the way Roy drives you're gonna need that!" Johnny teased.

"Really? Thinks he's as good as Rutherford?" Stewart asked.

"Yups!" Gage gave him a full crooked grin. That pleased the doctor. He felt he had to make up for Hu's disrespect. He knew she'd been really difficult to deal with. Roy reached over to give his colleague a friendly shove then suggested coffee.

At the hospital things were not as bright and friendly. Hu was in full negative mode as she critically assessed the ER. Although it was better equipped than her own she found fault in the layout of the treatment rooms as well as the nurse's station.

Rampart's staff was justifiably proud of their ER; the retrofit and upgrade made it the best in the country in their eyes. But this doctor from Hawaii made it sound like a hick town throw back. When she went into the communications room she really let go.

"All this equipment is being wasted!" she scolded. "It should be out on the floor where it can be used."

"Well, the various squads call in and send us information that the machines interpret," Dr. Early said calmly. "It can mean the difference in a cardiac patient's care." Hu just cocked an eyebrow at him and said nothing.

When the board lit up Morton hustled into the communications room and accepted a call from the 36s. She watched with disinterest as he listened to vitals and began giving orders to the paramedics. Sure, the information was accurate and the orders were ones she'd give in the same type of injury but those orders should be given to a nurse or intern, not emts. Morgan was detailing how to prep the patient for transport when Hu couldn't contain herself.

"Just tell 'em to bring her in!" she said under her breath. "All this distraction!" she left the doctor, slack mouth, staring at her.

"Rampart? Please repeat last," Brice prompted as Morton's voice dropped off.

"Sorry, 36," Mike said then repeated the instructions. Brackett had watched reactions through the glass and wondered just what had been said. Hu had gone back to the nurse's station and took Dixie's chair from her imperiously asking to review patient charts.

By the time Brice came in riding the rails Hu had made 'corrections' to three different charts. She followed Morton into the treatment room and watched as they worked on the cardiac arrest. An additional shock was needed to firmly establish the sinus rhythm then medication and adjustment of oxygen. Throughout the entire process Brice easily worked around the doctor and nurse helping whenever needed.

"Do you need me any longer, Dr. Morton?" Brice asked politely.

"No, thank you Brice, good work," Mike replied, actually complementing the man given Hu was in the room and she'd been so rude in the communications room. There was a spring in the paramedic's step from the good word. Hu's glacier eyes followed the man out the door.

"Pretty well trained for a firefighter," she said with disdain. "Although you use anyone given the right direction." Carole and Mike stared at her in disgust. Brackett chose that moment to stick his head in and saw his two team mates glaring at the observer.

"Dr. Hu? We have another squad coming in," he said. "Fire victim." With a final toss of her head she left the room.

"You ok, Mike? Carole?" Kel asked.

"She is the rudest, most bigoted doctor I have ever met!" Mike growled.

"And we thought you were bad all those years ago!" Carole added. Although he really wanted to know what had happened, he had a burn victim coming in with the 51s.

Johnny came in with the patient, a teenage girl who was in considerable pain even with the morphine on board. He was leaning over her, talking in soothing tones, trying to keep her attention from focussing on pain.

Hu looked on dispassionately at the burns on her lower left arm and left thigh. They had poured a lot of saline over gauze over the burns, but it was very apparent that the girl would be facing painful debridement in the near future. The paramedic had finally calmed her down, she was grasping his hand with her good hand looking at him fully as he spoke. Asking about some band or singer or something.

Any person could have been there talking with the child! You certainly didn't need a paramedic! She pursed her lips keeping her comments to herself as the nurse administered more morphine.

"You're doing great, Andi," Gage was saying. Who named a girl Andi? The Hawaiian doctor just folded her arms and watched while the nurse and doctor carefully peeled off the gauze and looked at the blistered and charred skin.

"We'll let her sleep and let the burn unit work with her," Brackett decided. It was no longer an ER case. Johnny stayed with her until she was asleep.

"I'll see you later, Doc, Dix," Gage said softly as he picked up his equipment and left the room. Hu followed the man out to the nurse's station and his partner. Stewart was there watching the interaction between the paramedics. It was very apparent that Gage was upset over the run.

"So, were you even necessary on that run?" Hu spat out. Dr. Early looked up in concern.

"Dr. Hu, whether you think we are necessary or not, we are part of the medical team," Roy said firmly. "We provided pain relief in the field and treated the burns accordingly. Yes, they could have just brought her directly to the ER, but we provided relief and help a full thirty minutes before she would have made it in." Johnny lifted his face, the pain quite visible.

"She was in pain, Doctor," he said. "Would you deny her treatment just because you don't like paramedics?" Hu glared at them.

"She needs a doctor immediately! She does not need some damned trained seal act to toss wet cloth on third degree burns!" turning on her heel Hu walked down to the lounge.

Poor Early had not been exposed to her full vitriol and immediately put his hand on Johnny's shoulder.

"You know none of us feel that way?" he said with concern. "You and Roy do more to help others than anyone else! You're first in the field, risk your lives in some cases to save patients and get them to us!"

"It's ok, Doc," Johnny said with a sad smile. "We know what we do is important. She really has a problem."

"Come on, Junior, Mike's doing lunch," Roy said.

"You're lucky, Doc," Johnny said, "it could of been Chet." The two paramedics walked Stewart out of the ER telling him about cherries and Irish stew.

By two in the afternoon Brackett was having to put out fires all over the ER and with every paramedic squad Hu had anything to do with. She was so derogatory that he spoke to her about how she was treating his staff. She back off slightly, but only enough that she wouldn't get reprimanded again by the ER head.

By six o'clock he drove her back to the hotel and was happy to see her off. Then back to the ER with a lot of cookies from Dixie's favorite bakery. A second box remained in the car for the 51s. He also needed to get ahold of Johnny and do some serious apologizing. He had been so arrogant last night regarding 'his paramedics' and blowing off Hu.

He also was going to fill out his forms regarding the two physicians for the powers that be in Hawaii. Whereas he'd expected some resistance, he had not in his wildest dreams expected such a negative, nasty person. She was more divisive than anyone he'd ever met, including himself!

With much grumbling the ER staff accepted the cookie apology. Every paramedic squad that came in was to be directed to the box to get a share and take a few minutes before becoming available to eat them with coffee.

Then the harder part. Going to the 51s. And Johnny. He nearly chickened out, but Brackett had to own up to his mistakes and around ten o'clock he pulled into the fire station's parking lot. Of all people to be there, Gage was up the fire hose racks staring at the few star that braved the city lights.

"Johnny?" Kel called up into the darkness. There was a rustling and shoes on the ladder and soon his room mate was on the ground next to him.

"Hey, Doc," he received a crooked grin. "Good day?"

"Hell no!" Kel swore. "She was worse than I could ever imagine!!" He sidled up to his friend and threw his arm over Gage's shoulder.

"I am so sorry," Brackett said. "I had no idea how vicious she was. You must have had a horrid shift with just you and Roy working with her."

"As I said last night," Johnny affirmed. "It was the worst shift of my career."

"And probably for Roy and the rest of the crew," Kel said, head down.

"Possibly," Johnny agreed. "Although with Chet you can't be sure..." This caused a slight chuckle. "You bring something to smooth things over?"

"Oh, yes," Kel said. "Cookies from Dix's favorite bakery. Damned expensive and worth every penny!"

"Yum!" the paramedic grinned. "Best way to win us back!" The doctor pulled out the box and together they walked into the station.