Chapter 14

By the time the squad returned to the station Hank had called Itora over at the 8s to let him and Matt know about Stephan's injury. Given that they had no 'trainee', the paramedics from the 51s had a rather normal shift. As far a normal went. Each time they went in to the ER they checked on Stephan, who was doing fine. Roy called Joanne and arranged for her to pick up the injured paramedic the following morning and bring him to their house. She had two kids at home and no plans but the ongoing laundry.

Once more Frank was impressed by the 'ohana' over at Stanley's station. They took care of their own. He noted that Maddie had been right, the 8s was a fine station and the men were professional and worked well together. But it lacked the spark that made A-shift at the 51s special.

By Wednesday night every married man had quietly told Johnny they wouldn't be going fishing on Friday. Being the person he was, Gage said nothing. Then on Thursday he received a couple calls from some of the Hawaiian contingent, also begging off. It seemed it'd be just Jeff, his dad and Johnny.

"Hey Gage!" Chet yelled. "Phone!" The mustached wonder waited impatiently until he got to the phone. "You're certainly popular, unfortunately its with all the guys." With a snicker he left; a glare followed him.

"John Gage," he said.

"Hey, Johnny, it's Chen," the linesman from the 16s said. "You still going fishing tomorrow?"

"Yups, be leaving right after shift, probably 8:30," he said amiably. "Guess you won't be going."

"No, I'm going," he said. "Lena really wants to go fishing. Go figure!"

"Your wife? Doesn't she want to go get a manicure or whatever the women are doing?"

"Lena has always been a bit of a tomboy," Chen said. "Do you have any room in your car?"

"Yeah, no problem," Johnny said. "You need tackle, right?"

"Yups!" he agreed. "Anything I should bring?"

"Well, I figured we'd cook hot dogs," he said. "Already have those and the condiments. We can pick up the sodas and chips on the way out. I have the cooler. We'll cook the catch at my house for dinner."

"Sounds good," Chen allowed. "Who's going?"

"Ah, Matt, Jeff, me, Lena and you," John said sheepishly.

"What? I thought this was boys day out!" he said surprised.

"Guess the better halves of all those 'boys' requested they stay at home!" Johnny admitted. "Marco and Chet never were coming to begin with."

"Hey, the best will be there!" Chen declared.

"You got that right, bruddah!" Gage laughed. "See you in the morning! I should be at the hotel by 8:30 unless we are late on a call." After a quick good bye, they hung up.

The rest of Thursday was a bit... wild. The squad was out on back to back to back runs for heat exposure. Then the entire station went out on two runs dealing with bar-b-cues that had gotten out of control. One of which resulted in some severe burns.

"Man, that run was bad," Marco sighed as he pulled out the fixing for dinner. "I hate burns!"

"You and me both amigo," said Chet. "And it was so stupid! Not paying attention to the flames."

"Yeah, people just don't understand how dangerous a fire can be, even in a cooker!" Marco fussed with his pan of enchiladas. They just needed to be heated through and he added more cheese to the top before he slid it into the oven.

Stanley came into the kitchen and snagged a tall glass and proceeded to fill it with ice and tea. With a discouraged sigh he headed back to his office. As he passed through the doorway Mike patted his shoulder in sympathy. No words were needed; the engineer knew his Cap was affected by the latest run.

Nearly an hour later the squad backed into the bay. The silence in the station was further deepened by the silence from the cab of the vehicle. The paramedics entered the kitchen, smelling dinner.

"Hey Marco, smells good," Gage said in a subdued voice.

"He probably won't make it," Roy added hearing the unasked question. With a gloomy look Chet shifted on the couch staring at the same page of the newspaper he'd been on since the engine returned.

"Well, dinner's ready," Marco said. "I'll get it plated. Mike? Can you grab the jello salad?"

"Jello salad?" Johnny asked. "You had time for jello salad?"

"Momma made it and dropped it off," he said. "She said it'd go good with the enchiladas I was making."

"If you use the peppers you normally do," Mike said as he put it down on the table, "then she'd be right!"

Soon the quiet crew was seated enjoying the spicy goodness the linesman had prepared for them. Maddie's eyes were watering.

"Good grief, Marco," the Hawaiian engineer said as he pulled ice water into his mouth. "How do you guys eat this?"

"I'm sorry, man!" Marco apologized. "The guys love the spicy stuff when I cook!" Johnny wiped hands, got up and scoped out the fridge. He found some leftover chicken from earlier, tortillas and cheese. He pulled out a pan and fiddled with it.

"Here, put some sour cream on top," Hank suggested. "I need it to cool the heat!"

"Don't drink water or tea, that'll just spread the hot oil in your mouth," Chet said. "Beer works best."

"Naw, you only get drunk and it doesn't bother you any more!" Roy said with a snicker.

"Well, it helped when Marco's mom did the enchiladas with habaneros," Chet said. "I thought I was gonna die!"

"Cap's right," Johnny said from the stove. "Dairy products, the sour cream is the best bet." He flipped the tortillas in the pan. Maddie pushed the plate away from him and ate some sour cream, grimacing at the taste.

"Looks like you don't like that, either," Chet said with a smirk.

"You're trying to kill me off!" Maddie complained.

"You like tomatoes? Cilantro?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, those are ok," the engineer managed. He looked over at the paramedic busily chopping up something on the board. After a couple long, painful minutes he felt he just might live. Starve to death with these crazy Californians, but wouldn't die from pepper burns!

"Here, try this," Gage said putting a plate down with two folded over tortillas stuffed with chicken, cheese and tomato. Cilantro was sprinkled over the top and each was sliced into three triangles. A new scoop of refried beans sans salsa accompanied it. Maddie cast a suspicious eye on the plate while the paramedic returned to his own dinner.

He tentatively poked at it before lifting a triangle off the plate and taking a bite. Ok, this was tolerable. With a sigh he continued to fill his empty stomach.

Roy grinned at his partner and gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement. Johnny smiled back and took a bite of spicy goodness.

The fates were with them and the crew was able to finish dinner and get clean-up underway when the tones sounded once more.

"Station 51, Squad 36, MVA, 405 freeway south. Enter at Century Blvd. Time out, 19:25," dispatch dutifully detailed.

"Station 51 kmg 365," Hank responded. The squad and engine took off towards the freeway. It was past rush hour for a Thursday night, but there was a lot of traffic none the less. Roy found himself once more riding along the very edge of the road to get to the pile up.

And it was a pile up. Two cars were completely flipped, smoke and steam rising. Another was on its side tight against the center divider and three others were accordioned in between. The entire roadway on the southbound side was littered with car parts, oil and gasoline. The northbound side fared a little better, although Hank could see some debris had fallen into the fast lane effectively creating another hazard.

He immediately called for another station as well as Cal Trans support. He dispersed his crew, popping battery cables, getting hoses set up to wash down the pavement and his paramedics began assessment of the wounded. When the 36s squad arrived they were dispatched to set up triage and were soon taking care of those in need.

It was grueling, hot work with tempers flaring from the snarled traffic. CHP had arrived and were busy shuttling cars off the freeway and Cal Trans began removing cars and pieces thereof on both sides of the freeway.

Johnny approached the first flipped car. It was very, very apparent the driver was dead. No one in the passenger seat. Looking in the back his heart feel.

Child's safety seat.

Empty.

He carefully pushed through the back window and quickly located a young girl, maybe three at the most. Bent at an unnatural angle he carefully tried to find a pulse. Two blindingly blue eyes snapped open.

"Mommy?" a thin, scared voice called out.

"Hi sweetie," Johnny swallowed hard. "Mommy's in the front seat. I wanted to see how you were." The little girl trusting eyes latched on to him.

"My tummy hurts," she said. "And my head, here." He saw the large contusion, and noted she couldn't move her arms.

"Let me touch your tummy, ok?" he asked. "My name is Johnny."

"I'm Katie," she said, unmoving. Her stomach was completely rigid and her right eye was dilated, covering all the blue. Too much blood, too much trauma. The little body would not survive. But Gage could not leave her alone.

"Katie, I'm gonna help you, 'k?" he said, voice husky.

"Ok," she said. "I'm tired."

"Yeah, I know," he said.

"When can I see mommy?" she asked as Johnny gently pulled her broken body to him. Cradled her close.

"Soon, sweetie," his voice cracked. "Real soon." The breaths became lighter and lighter until she was still.

"John?" Cap's voice came through the window. "You need some help?" He noted the rigid back that was shaking slightly.

"No, no," he managed. "Both doa."

"John?" Hank now pushed into the back and tugged on his arm, seeing the little girl nestled against his chest. Tear stained eyes met his.

"Come on, John," he said gently. "I'll take her out," and he reached for the child. The paramedic released her and carefully backed out of the destroyed vehicle. Blotting his eyes Johnny headed for the next flipped car.

Hank gently put the little girl on a tarp and covered her. He knew he'd need to look out for his youngest crew member. One fatality was bad enough. But to hold a little life and feel it... go. That was the hardest thing of all.

The next car held one victim, belted in and alive. With Cap's help the young man was backboarded and removed. Compression bandages on his arm and head were necessary, but he would live.

The first of the ambulances arrived and began shuttling patients to the hospital.

Gage and Brice came back with an ambulance and immediately went back to work on patients. It took several more trips to clear the victims. More to hose down and clean up the freeway. Quite dark when they all finally ended up back at the proverbial 'barn'.

Roy managed to get to the couch, sprawling out with a sigh. Johnny chose to sit at the table, head cushioned on his arms. The others watched quietly not knowing what to say. Finally Hank walked over to the younger paramedic and gently touched his shoulders. When there was no resistance he carefully worked on the stiff muscles he found there.

Mike sat down next to Roy in silent commiseration. Marco and Chet shifted in their seats not knowing what to do. Maddie simply sat and observed.

"You going to be ok?" Hank asked softly. Shrug.

"How about some coffee," Mike slid a cup into Roy's hands. This was accepted with a muted thanks. Gage stayed hidden while his captain continued to work on his shoulders. Of course, the tones started to sing.

"Station 51, engine 36, house fire, 8372 Anderson Avenue. 8-3-7-2 Anderson. Cross street, Century. Time out 22:35."

"Station 51, KMG, 365," Stanley responded.

Once more the squad and engine raced down the boulevard and then through a series of turns that brought them to a single-story house that was nearly fully involved. Hoses were immediately pulled and hooked up, Marco quickly coupling the main line to the hydrant.

There were an assortment of neighbors on the lawn, a woman and man being physically restrained. When Hank came up to them the pleading voices were demanding to be released so they could get their child. He internally cringed then signaled to Desoto and Gage.

"There's a child in the back bedroom," he began.

"On the left, last room," the grieving man said desperately.

"Ok," Roy nodded as he continued to buckle on his air tank. Johnny was already suited up and pulled his mask into place, settling the hat on top securely. He was up the steps scoping out a path before the senior paramedic was ready.

Using hand signals the two men proceeded in, searching for the safest way. Unfortunately, the directions were not quite accurate. The bedroom they'd been directed to was empty. Looking across the hallway Johnny saw another bedroom door and managed to open it.

The flames nearly held him back, but he still pushed inwards quickly feeling his way around the room. Encountering a crib he pulled off his right glove and began blindly feeling around. Roy pounded on his airtank.

"Got to go!" he yelled hoarsely. "Ceiling!" But his partner was fiddling around with his coat and finally Roy had to physically pull on his free arm. Clutching his right arm securely around his midsection the younger paramedic turned and nodded. They began the dangerous trek back down the hall, burning bits of ceiling starting to rain down on them.

By the time they got to the front door a large section of ceiling crashed down behind them and they wasted no time in racing out the front door onto the hose-crossed lawn. Roy was first to the parents, pulling off his mask he shook his head.

"Nothing on the left and the ceiling was coming down," he panted. No one noted the other paramedic throwing off his mask and carefully opening his jacket. A couple puffs of air and a frightened cry filled the air. Everyone turned and the silence accentuated the crying over the crackling of the fire.

"Mark?" mom recovered first and headed towards Johnny.

"Hey there, little guy, mommy's coming," Gage said softly to the infant snugged against his chest. He carried his little bundle towards her, and the rest of the crowd. She wanted to grab the child but the paramedic shielded him.

"Let us check him out real quick," he said apologetically. Roy was next to him in a flash and hustled them to the side of the squad. First Roy encouraged the woman to sit down, leaning against the back tire, then Johnny knelt down and transferred the baby to her. Dad was quickly on his knees as well, wanting to see his son.

Although Mark had breathed in smoke there were no other injuries. Rampart was contacted and soon Johnny was heading in, once more cradling the baby in his arms holding the oxygen mask in place.

Hank breathed a sigh of relief as he monitored the clean-up procedures. Hopefully the baby would be just fine and his youngest crew member would feel better.

The next time the squad backed into the bay it was past midnight and the engine crew was in bed. The exception being the captain who waited in the kitchen. Two tired paramedics came in, John headed for the fridge and poured out milk for himself, tea for his partner. Hank stood up an put a hand on his shoulder.

"You ok, buddy?" he asked, full of concern. He received a tired, crooked smile that didn't quite make it to his eyes.

"Yeah, Mark's gonna be fine," he said. Hank dared to give him a half-hug and a quick pat on the back.

"I'm glad," he said. "Just going to head on to bed. You two hurry up!"

"Night, Cap," chorused the twosome as they sat down to drink.

Unfortunately, it turned into a busy night. Three more calls, two for the entire station, and one just for the squad. When the tones went off at 6:30, there was a round of groans and mutterings best not repeated. Seven tired men snagged coffee and contemplated breakfast. Contemplation was as far as it went since no one was remotely interested in cooking.

Once 'C' shift started showing up the men started to dress in their street clothes.

"Man, I am so glad I'm not fishing today!" Roy said to Mike. "I don't think I could stay awake long enough to bait a hook!"

"Me, too!" Mike said. "The most I'm going to do today is check out the back of my eyelids." Roy looked over at the engineer.

"I wonder who's going, if you and I aren't," he pondered.

"Cap's not, either," Chet interjected. "Something about his wife putting the kibosh on it." The other two married men looked sheepishly at each other causing the mustached man to laugh.

"Another great reason not to get married!" he exclaimed.

"So then, who's going?" Mike asked.

"Just Johnny, I guess," Maddie said as he tucked in his shirt.

"He's gonna be exhausted by tomorrow," Roy said. "I still haven't figured out why we have a shift tomorrow. We fly out on Monday and according to the schedule we have our first assignment Tuesday."

"Don't know," Chet said. "HEY, CAP!"

"What, Kelly?" the older man grumbled as he walked into the dorms to change.

"Why are we working tomorrow?" he asked. "We're on again Tuesday and there's a travel day in between. No time to get used to the time change." Hank considered this.

"No idea," he admitted. "It does seem a little too much. The 16s seem to have gotten plenty of training in so it can't be that."

"Why don't you call downtown?" Chet suggested, hoping to get another day off. They'd more than worked their hours for the two-week period!

"Think I will once I get home," Hank mused. "Where'd Gage go?" He'd wanted to talk to him one last time; the shift had been particularly hard on the younger man.

"Took off," Maddie said. "Had to swing by home before picking up Matt and Jeff."

"Oh, yeah, fishing," Cap sighed. "He's going to be one tired puppy! I think I'll call the office from here and get the ball rolling. I'll call you this evening with the decision." Chet grinned; one good think about his pigeon, he brought out the protective side of the captain! An extra day off to get his stuff together suited the man just fine.

Johnny made it to the hotel by 8:30. He was not surprised to see a bouncy boy pulling on his father. Right next to them were Lena and Chen. A couple of duffles rounded out the group.

"Ready to go, Jeff?" he asked with his patent grin, opening up the back of the Rover.

"Yups!" he answered excitedly. "I've been ready for ever!"

"Beth said he was up at 6 clamoring for breakfast," Matt explained. "And he wanted to call up Lena to make sure she was ready, too!"

"You guys ok to go?" Johnny asked. "We were run kind of ragged last night."

"Believe it or not both of us got full nights sleep," Chen said as he climbed into the back seat. "Went out once, about one am, but that was a quick douse of a fire pit gone wild."

"Same here, we went out about two for a rather impatient baby that wanted out of his mom NOW," Matt said with a grin. "I got to catch!"

"That's great!" Johnny said. "One of the most wonderful things we get to do!" He thought about Katie and Mark. Sad and happy blended together into bittersweet. Catching his mood Lena leaned over the seat.

"You going to be ok?" she asked. "I can drive."

"Oh, I'll get ya there," Gage said with false cheerfulness. "But I think you guys are going to fish without me! I plan to take a nice nap in the shade. I'm expecting Jeff to catch my dinner!"

"We still on for dinner tonight?" Matt asked.

"Sure," he answered. "Beth's going to get Stephan and come to my house around six, right? My neighbor has a key that she can get if we're not back. You told her, right?"

"Yups!" Matt replied. Soon the car was on the road heading for Pyramid Lake. At the ranger's station they purchased day licenses and found out that trout had been 'planted' the day before along the eastern day use area.

"They've been pulling out good sized bass on spinner lures," the ranger said. "Trout love those pink salmon eggs of all things!" Matt bought a couple lures and a small jar of little pink eggs.

Finally they drove around the edge of the lake nearly as far as they could before pulling off by an empty picnic site. There were some shady trees, two tables and fire grill perfect for hot dogs. Their gear was pulled and arranged on one of the tables, their cooler on the second. Johnny took out several poles and Jeff was the first to be outfitted. With a huge grin he headed to the shore with plenty of pointers from the paramedic on where to try his luck. Before Matt could catch up there was an excited shout and the boy was back, a large wriggling trout on the end of the line.

Johnny took several pictures before a proud dad took the fish off the hook and put it on a stringer. The fish was returned to the lake carefully tied so he would not get away. Soon all four Hawaiians were happily fishing and Gage spread out a woven baja blanket under a convenient bit of shade. Within minutes he was asleep.