Chapter 16

Just as the movie ended Jenny began to wake up. She cuddled against Johnny with a huge yawn.

"Is she waking up?" Roy's voice came from above.

"Yep, just now," Gage said.

"Here, I'll take her," and the rested father picked up his daughter. Jenny softly protested the initial loss of her warm bed but quickly wrapped around the new one.

"Thanks, Junior," Roy said with sincerity. "Saved me and Joanne's sanity!"

"No problem," he smiled up at his pally. "I'll be looking forward to that mai tai!" With an answering grin and laugh Roy headed back to his seat. Stretching Gage decided to take a quick 'refresher' and wandered back to the bathroom. Returning he discovered a cold beer waiting for him.

"Last call," Kel shrugged. "We'll be landing within the hour."

"Thanks!" he said as he sipped some of the cold fizz. They began to talk about things to do when they landed; it would be about 1 o'clock local time and they'd probably get to their hotel by three, given baggage and securing their rental cars.

"I think I'll find a snack and then check out the beach," Johnny thought aloud.

"What about snagging one of those mai tai's that are suppose to be so good in Hawaii?" Kel suggested, "after the snack and before the beach."

"We can take the mai tai's down to the beach," Johnny grinned. "It's all part of the hotel's property so it's legal. Catch a few rays, check out a few girls..." Brackett chuckled.

"Especially the latter," he said. "Plus I'll need to slather up, I haven't been in the sun much this summer."

"Ah, yes, I hope you brought some zinc for that nose!" Johnny smirked. He was nicely tanned and ready to surf.

"Check, and packed my Coppertone™," he replied. "I'm ready!"

"I have the aloe vera and Noxzema™ for your burn," Gage countered.

"Joe packed hydrocortisone cream, too," Brackett added. "So I'm more than covered if I get burned."

"Good, nothing worse than listening to someone whine when they have a sunburn!" his seatmate said with complete sincerity. The good doctor bopped him on the shoulder.

Returning to reading, Johnny took the hint and pulled out the magazine once more and was able to finish the article before the captain came on the speaker getting them prepared for landing. Once more the sound of squeals and aborted screams welled up from several children experiencing their first landing.

"Sometimes I'm really glad I'm not a parent," Johnny admitted to Kel.

"You and me both, buddy!" he acknowledged. Soon they were on the ground and getting ready to disembark. Johnny made sure he helped herd the Desoto kids off the plane and kept them close. There were a lot of people coming and going!

"ALOHA!" a small chorus of voices greeted the 51s. Some of the 16s crew and their families were waiting, leis in hand.

"You have to have a proper greeting!" Frank Itora declared as he strung the flowers around his counterpart's neck.

"At least it's not pink," Hank grumbled good naturedly. He accepted a hug from Carole and shook several hands.

"Figured you might like some help getting your luggage and cars," Frank continued. The group now moved towards baggage pickup. Most of them stayed there while a few more went off to secure their cars.

Once more Johnny became the storyteller and entertained three children while the rest of the adults took care of luggage and loading it into cars. Then the kids were secured and they were off to the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The 35 story hotel was decorated with a rainbow on the sides. It was a very popular place, full of people checking in. Since Johnny was rooming with Kel he stayed with the women and children. He hitched Jenny on one hip and took Chris by the hand and went to see the pool. Becky stayed snuggled in her mom's arms.

"WOW!" Chris exclaimed, "it's huge!"

"The beach!" Jenny pointed beyond to the ocean.

"Yep, this is sweet!" Johnny grinned. He glanced around and located both the lounge and a cafe. Gift shops and a convenience store. They walked to the edge of the pool and both kids splashed with their hands.

"Can we go swimming, Uncle Johnny?" Jenny asked.

"Pull-lease!" Chris added. They both nailed him with big, puppy-dog eyes.

"Uh," he gulped, "Have ta ask your parents. I'm sure it'll be ok." His dream of checking out the babes on the beach dwindled under the dual onslaught. A second look by the pool let him see a few bodies sunning themselves. Oh well, maybe there'd be something to see there.

Going back to the adults he saw Captain Stanley doing his captain thing, passing out keys and room assignments. He pushed the kids off to Joanne and went over to Kel.

"Here ya go," Brackett handed him a key. "We're up on the 25th floor, a one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette and full bath. Sounds pretty sweet!"

"Shows you it's better to be an ER head honcho than a fireman, eh?" John said innocently.

"I think Roy and Mike each got a suite as well," Kel said. "Seems the married guys are also 'mo' better'. Chet and Marco are sharing a double bedded attached to your Captain's conference room."

Gage grin grew.

"Really?" he asked

"Yep," Kel motioned with his head. "We're all on the same floor but the linesmen are attached to Hank."

"Ok, I take it back," he batted his eyes. "I love you!" Brackett started laughing. Although both of them had been hurt by people's allusion they were a 'couple', the two of them had no problem teasing one another.

"Just remember that when I want the bedroom for the night!" he snickered.

"No problemo," Johnny pushed the elevator button. "I can stay on the couch if you want the room for the next two weeks." Their conversation dropped off when the rest of the crew caught up.

"Man, it isn't fair!" Chet was whining to Marco. "I mean, next to Cap?"

"Hey, there's a conference room in between!" Lopez pointed out. "And a lock on our side of the door!"

"Who cares?" he grumped. "He can hear everything! No privacy!"

"Do I even want to know what you have planned that requires a sound proof room?" Johnny asked. Brackett had to bite his cheek to keep from smiling or laughing.

"Shut up, Gage!" Chet shot back. "Least you got a suite separate from all of us!"

"Really? We don't need any soundproofing, Kel!" Johnny batted his eyes once more at the doctor. All the firemen began laughing except for Chet. When an elevator door opened several of them went in while the rest waited for the next car.

"We're at the end," Kel said. "The others are on the ocean side a few doors down."

"I think this floor is mostly two and three bedroom suites with a conference room attached to one set," Mike remarked as he cuddled Becky close. "That way we can meet on days off from stations to discuss our assignments."

"I'm just glad I'm away from Chet!" John declared. "He and I are just like oil and vinegar!"

"He sure shakes you up!" Beth said with a smile.

"Stoker, your wife is being mean to me!" Johnny declared pretending to pout.

"Now Beth, it's not nice to pick on our meal ticket," Mike chastised his spouse. Smirking, she leaned over and pecked Gage on the cheek.

"Sor-ry," she singsonged.

"Humph!" he replied as he turned down the hall and pretended to stomp off to his room. Opening the door he was rewarded with a panoramic view of Diamond Head and the ocean. The lanai doors were open letting in the trade winds. Kel followed him in and grinned.

"Yeah, being the head honcho of Rampart ER has its benefits!" he crowed. Tossing his backpack on the couch Johnny walked out onto the private balcony followed closely by Kel. The view was magnificent.

"I am soo glad Roy and me were tapped for this!" Johnny said.

"I am soo glad you two were tapped as well," Kel agreed. "Your station mates weren't the only ones riding your coat tails."

They spent some time investigating the rooms. Gage's exuberance spurred Brackett's excitement. Pillows were tossed, beds bounced and a second balcony was discovered attached to the double-bedded bedroom. When luggage was delivered it was put away and swim suits were secured. The first layer of Coppertone was slathered on. After a quick call to Desoto they headed downstairs for snacks and the bar.

Johnny was happy to find a lot of fresh fruit on the menu at the coffee shop. He ordered a large fruit plate with cottage cheese while Kel opted for a sandwich. After stoking the 'furnace' they stopped in the lounge for their mai tai's.

"I kind of told the kids I'd be by the pool in case their parents said they could go swimming," the paramedic said. The doctor rolled his eyes.

"Well, there are lounges by the pool," he said. "And I seem to recall there's a full bar out there as well."

"Just how happy do you plan on getting?" Johnny asked with a grin.

"Happy enough," Kel said. "This is fantastic!" he munched on a pineapple wedge that decorated the large glass. They wandered out by the pool and found a group of lounge chairs by the shallow end. Towels were set on ten of them for their friends.

It wasn't a long wait. The Desotos and Stokers arrived at the same time, bouncy children leading the way. There was a chorus of complaints when mothers announced they had to eat first. Ever practical Joanne had packed peanut butter, jelly and even a loaf of bread. A few sandwiches had been assembled and coupled with some fruit and juice from the cafe each child was compelled to eat half a sandwich.

"We'll have to find a market," Beth said. "We have kitchenettes so we can make breakfasts and lunches." Mike noted she said nothing about dinners!

"Yes, that way we can use the meal allotment for eating dinner out!" Joanne grinned. "Did you see all the restaurants listed within walking distance?" The two women chatted happily about various places to eat. Mike and Roy went to the bar and fetched the first round of mai tai's. A tall, frosty glass was set down by Johnny.

"Looks like someone's gonna be happy!" Kel teased. Sticking out his tongue the paramedic took a sip of the new drink.

"Gah!" he quickly stirred the drink. "They floated the dark rum on top."

"Great! Be right back!" the doctor made a beeline to the bar.

"You guys are gonna have to roll us back to our room," Johnny said dramatically as he took a longer sip. The adults chuckled as they continued on their own drinks.

As soon as the children finished they clamored to get into the pool. They were quite fortunate their parents didn't ascribe to waiting an hour, although they were cautioned to take it easy at first. To meet this end, Johnny stayed firmly attached to his lounge sipping his drink. Once he got in all *heck* would break out.

Jenny and Becky stayed on the steps and Chris didn't venture much further. They were content to splash and play with their plastic toys. By this time the adults had shed shirts and covers letting the sun caress mostly white skin. Only Johnny and Mike had good tans (well, Chet and Marco had 'farmer' tans...) so sunning lotion was applied liberally.

Finally Gage stood and stretched completely unaware of the considering looks from many other pool guests. He sauntered down to a deeper part of the pool and gracefully dove in barely leaving a ripple. Like a shark he prowled up behind an unsuspecting Chris, tugging at his foot as he rose up. There was a shriek and then a child's laughter filled the air. The romp was on.

The next one in was Mike. He couldn't let Johnny have all the fun. They carried the girls on their backs and tossed all three children back and forth. Jake and Ruth joined in followed closely by Roy. It was crazy with water splashing all over. When Chet complained about getting wet Mike nudged Johnny and grinned, motioning with his head.

"Really?" Gage asked. A confirming nod and smirk. The two men rose out of the pool and walked over to the tanning linesman. Before Chet knew what was happening he was picked up and swung back and forth yelling his head off. At the apex of the swing they let go and the man sailed into the pool.

Not satisfied with just one, Marco was dunked next. Then the two smiled and looked over at Brackett.

"Oh, no," he stood up from the lounge. "This head of ER does not get tossed into the pool!" He zipped around the two and launched himself into the pool. With so many in the pool the rest of the 51's joined in and soon they were swimming and playing and generally having fun.

By five everyone, except for the kids - of course - were ready to head back up to their rooms and rest before dinner. They agreed to eat in the hotel cafe. Chief Kimura would be over in the morning at 7:30 to go over station assignments.

Although he didn't have to, Kel got up early the next morning and joined the meeting with the 51s and Kimura. His own schedule was not the best; he worked 1pm to 1am every shift he had. This was to cover day, transition, and night shifts. At least he had the same days off as the crew!

He followed Gage into the conference room and investigated coffee and food offerings. Cap had made sure there was a full breakfast available and he joined the men at the table with a plate of eggs, muffin and fruit.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Chief David Kimura smiled as he walked in. He sat at the head of the table after pouring out a cup of coffee and snagging a muffin. "Please, keep eating!"

"Captain Itora sends his regrets. He's on shift and couldn't come to detail you like he promised," he said. Gage glanced over at Desoto. Going in blind was not an option as far as they were concerned. A measured nod from the elder paramedic and returning nod from the junior was noted by the experienced chief.

"First, here's the duty schedule for the next two weeks," he passed a stack of papers to Hank who took one and passed the pile on. "Roy, Johnny, this is the supplemental schedule for your third week," he passed those directly to the paramedic.

"Dr. Brackett, you'll notice you're on the schedule as well," he commented. "That way the men will know if your on at their ER assignment." The men scrutinized the paper.

"Man, I am so glad I didn't have to figure this out!" Chet exclaimed.

"Believe me, it wasn't easy at first," Kimura said. "Then we figured out that only Roy and John's assignments were important. Everyone else just fell into place once we had them placed."

"Kelly!" Hank interjected quickly before the linesman could react aloud. As it was Chet blushed slightly, closing his mouth as the others tried to stifle chuckles. The chief smiled.

"Ok, you'll note a small asterisk next to three shifts," he said. "As promised, those are the three groups with the most resistance." Kimura watched as the two paramedics once more made eye contact.

"I have personally spoken with all the captains but those three remain distant. Note your first assignment, John," he said. "I purposefully put your captain with you. He'll be your back up. I don't anticipate any problems, but it's best to be safe."

"What kind of concerns do you have, sir?" Gage asked respectfully.

"Mostly it's negative talk," he said frankly. "But in some cases there has been an escalation of pranks at these stations directed at the paramedics." Hank glared at Chet as another preemptive strike.

"We've discussed several possibilities, sir," Desoto admitted. "We had some difficulty five years ago but with patience and a thick skin we made it through."

"Most people came around," Johnny added. "And the few that didn't either transferred to other departments or retired."

"Noted," Kimura said. "Now, I'll be taking John and Hank out to their assignment at Station 5. The rest of you will be issued department cars at headquarters. You'll return them tomorrow morning when you get off shift. Maps are in the cars. Any questions?"

"Will we be doing this every shift? Picking up a car?" Hank asked.

"Yes, it's not the easiest way to handle it, but we have extra cars available because of some funding we received," the chief admitted. "You know government red tape, the cars have to be returned when not being used on official business. You can use one of your rentals to get over to headquarters."

"Yes, sir," Hank answered for them. "Well, men, grab your duffles and let's get going!"