Chapter 19

By the time they made it back to the hotel it was past midnight. There were two notes taped to their door. It seemed a certain Captain and a senior paramedic wanted to see them before they left for work the following morning. Taking his key John went down the hall to his pally's room and slide it under the door. Then he put his reply on the door.

"They'll be here really early," he grumped. "I'll try to let you sleep."

"No guarantees," Kel said. "You know they'll want to be sure we're both in once piece." Gage just rolled his eyes and waved as he sauntered into the bedroom.

It was 6:30 in the morning when the door open and two men slipped into the suite. Roy and Hank went into the bedroom and looked over the sleeping paramedic. He looked up from his warm bed at the evil interlopers.

"Roy, Cap," he yawned.

"Hi Junior! How are you feeling?" Roy asked quietly as he reached down to pat Gage on the arm. The touch assured him that his friend was safe.

"A little stiff," John ground out. "Kimura said me and Doc should take a day off. Get a little rest and heal a bit."

"If that's what the head of the department says then that's what we'll go with," said Hank. Kel chose this moment to roll over and look at the two men.

"Rest being first on the list," he grumbled.

"Watch it, Doc is a bear before his coffee," Johnny plumped his pillow and curled back down.

"We're just glad you both are safe!" Hank said as he patted his paramedic's leg.

"Yeah, Junior," Roy smiled. "Who else would play with the kids?"

"Yeah, good ole Uncle Johnny," he muttered as he pulled the covers over his head.

"You guys satisfied we survived?" Kel added his own two cents.

"John's right," Cap observed, "you are a bear before coffee. Chet should be happy he's next door to me!"

"See you Saturday," Roy chuckled as he headed out the door.

"Key's on the microwave," Hank added.

The next thing Kel Brackett knew it was after eleven in the morning and the sliding doors were open letting in the breeze. He stretched and sniffed, detecting coffee.

After a quick stop he went out into the living area and found Gage with a full breakfast spread out in front of him. A couple dome-covered plates were set out on the other side.

"Figured you'd wake up once the food got here," the paramedic smirked. Kel poured out a mug of coffee and took an appreciative sniff.

"They make good coffee," he said.

"I read it's grown locally," John pointed out. "I'm gonna buy some to take home." They settled into comfortable silence as they ate. The newspaper was opened and consumed with the food. The phone rang breaking the quiet.

"Hello," Gage answered.

"Hi Johnny, it's Emily," the woman answered. "Hank said we were to look after you two today." Johnny rolled his eyes dramatically.

"We're ok, Emily," he said. "Just eating a late breakfast. I'll probably go downstairs and lie in the sun awhile."

"That sounds good," she said equitably. "We're going shopping and I'm going to get some fresh fruit and sandwich fixing. I'll get some to stock your fridge for you and Kel."

"You don't have to do that," he said, although he wouldn't actually mind some food in the fridge.

"I don't have to, but I'm going to," she chuckled. "Anyway, we're keeping receipts for Hank and he'll get most of it reimbursed. The meal allotment is very generous!" If there was a budget it was a cinch that Emily and Joanne could use it wisely.

"Ok, Em, you've twisted my arm," he said. "I'll give you my key and you can leave it at the desk for me when you're done."

"The desk? No, we'll bring it to the pool!" she laughed again. "After shopping we've promised the kids some swim time."

" 'k. Just knock and I'll give you the key," he smiled, the warmth coming over the phone.

Soon the key was passed off and breakfast was finished. Taking his small duffle Gage headed down for the pool while Brackett decided what he was going to do with his impromptu day off.

X x x x x x x x x x

"So, I'm backing you up today!" Hank smiled at his senior paramedic.

"Looks like that's your role, Cap," Roy amicably agreed. "But given the reception Kel got maybe you should be backing him up!"

"Given our reception Tuesday I think I'll stick with you and John," Hank responded. "It was a pretty tense situation. I'm just glad we were able to get things on a better footing for the crew."

"We're at Station 14 today," Roy consulted his schedule. "They work out of Castle."

"That's Dr. Hu's purview, eh?" Hank asked.

"Yups. Guess I'll be doing more hands-on training again," the paramedic commented as he slid his schedule back into his wallet. "The guys over at the 27s were trained but didn't have much hands-on experience."

"Johnny's pair were really competent," Cap said. "The head of ER at Hawaii Med Center made sure of it."

"Well, just as long as the station crew accepts the paramedics it should be fine," Roy decided. "Although I'm not looking forward to seeing Dr. Hu!" The fire department sedan pulled into the parking lot behind Station 14. Both engine and squad were in the apparatus bay. It was just 7:30 and the shift was changing.

Walking into the building they were stopped by a tall, strongly-built woman who gave them a visual once-over.

"Awue! Looks like the mahilini are here!" she said with a very serious-looking face. Roy glanced at Hank. Kimura hadn't said anything about the A-shift 14s having problems with the program.

"Captain Hank Stanley out of Station 51, Los Angeles," he said tersely, holding out his hand. The woman shook first his then Roy's hand. Firm, no-nonsense grip left no doubt she was a very capable fire fighter.

"Miho Tanaka, engineer, Station 14," she replied, equally terse, her face stone.

"Hey, Tanaka!" a voice caught their attention. "What are you doing? Scaring off the consultants?" a smiling older man with a captain's hat under his arm came up to them.

"Ai yah!" the engineer grinned, her entire face brightening. "Am I doing it again?" The Hawaiian captain rolled his eyes.

"You'll have to forgive Tanaka," he said. "She's a bit of a prankster. Captain Brain Lopez, gentlemen." Another round of handshakes and introductions.

"Welcome to the 14s," he said as he ushered them in. "And as punishment, Tanaka, you can show them their lockers for the shift. Roll call in five." Now that her cover was blown the boisterous engineer gave them the nickel tour as they headed back to the locker room.

"Looks like the 51s," Roy said as he glanced into the kitchen/lounge area. A large chalkboard was on one wall and a TV graced the corner.

"Complete with a Phantom," Hank agreed as they followed the engineer through the bay into the locker room and dorm area.

"This is where the bruddahs sleep," she said as she waved in the direction of the beds. "I sleep back there," she indicated a doorway that led into a separate room. Opening two empty lockers she leaned back against the wall to wait for them.

"How long have you been with the department?" Hank asked.

"Ten years," Miho replied. "Made engineer two years ago. Piece of cake!"

"Well, congratulations, it may have been easy for you but I took the test two years ago," Roy said. "It was tough for me!"

"Didn't pass?" she asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Oh, I passed," Roy said, "ninth on the list. Just decided I liked being a paramedic more." Tanaka nodded.

"Seems to be a good thing, that paramedicking stuff," she allowed. "Leastways Pete and Kenta like it. Although since the nurse is gone they were a little lost last shift."

"Well, that's why we're here," Hank smile confidently, "to help them in the field. I'm sure they'll do just fine."

"Yups," she replied. "Better get to lineup. I sure don't want latrines!" Taking their dress hats the two Los Angelenos followed the tall woman out to the bay and a line of waiting men.

"Good morning, gentlemen, and gentlewoman," Lopez began. "I'm sure you've noticed out visitors today, Capt. Hank Stanley and Firefighter/Paramedic Roy Desoto out of the 51s in Los Angeles. They'll be here helping to train Shipton and Mattingsly and the rest of us in the art of paramedicking." He continued reading the announcements from the department, commented on the loss of some equipment on B shift that had been left behind at a rescue scene.

"Chief Kimura said it was all of our responsibilities to pick up all the equipment," he said sternly.

"No big, boss," one of the linesmen popped up. "We take care of our toys!" A couple snickers were heard.

"Well, let's just say the B shift isn't high on the Chief's list right now and leave it at that," Capt. Lopez concluded. He proceeded to hand out assignments noting that Desoto could help the paramedics with dorms and kitchen clean up.

Roy gave his most disarming smile as he shook the two men's hands. They seemed a bit nervous so he encouraged them to show him their squad and equipment. They were more than happy to give him the tour and begin calibrating their instruments.

"Castle ER, this is Squad 14, how do you read?" Pete Shipton called in. After a few moments a very terse voice came over the speaker.

"Squad 14, this is Castle ER," definitely Dr. Hu. "Send a strip lead 2." After this was done Hu tersely signed off as though she had better things to do.

"She sounded a little... abrupt," Roy commented.

"Dr. Hu has been handling most of our calls," Kenta Mattingsly explained. "She tends to be... terse in giving directions."

"She did a ride-along with me and my partner," Roy said. "She was quite 'terse' period." He grinned to show he had no ill will towards the two men.

"On Tuesday she wasn't on," Shipton said. "It was Dr. Hoyle and a Dr. Brackett. That was better 'cause Brackett really was good explaining things to us."

"Hoyle still was difficult," Mattingsly pointed out.

"Hopefully things will improve as time goes on," Roy encouraged. "I can tell you from over five years experience the survival rate goes up with immediate care on site. It'll just take some time for the doctors to get on board."

"From what we've seen they don't even have a ticket for the boat," Pete muttered. Desoto clapped him on his back.

"We'll work it out," he said.

Soon they had gone through the squad. Roy asked about the accessibility to the equipment and medications. Then they went through the squad again reorganizing a few things. The drug box was left mostly in the same order except for IV bags were placed differently to keep them well apart and easier to grab.

"Station 14, woman down, Ala Moana Beach Park. Enter at Queen Street and Ala Moana Blvd. Time out 9:05," dispatch directed.

"Station 14, 10-4," Lopez accepted the assignment and handed out slips.

"Little early to start the party," Shipton said as he tucked the slip under the clip on the dash. Soon the squad was leading the engine down to the beach.

Fortunately, there were people at the gates ready to direct the fire personnel in to the right area. They came to a picnic area and immediately jumped out, grabbing equipment and jogging over to a small group of people hovering around an unconscious woman.

"What happened?" Mattingsly asked.

"Uh, Peggy was kind of dizzy and really thirsty," a young woman responded. "Then she threw up! She hasn't said much of anything."

"Start assessing," Roy encouraged and soon the diagnostics were being performed. "Has she eaten anything today?"

"No," another woman stepped up. "She was dieting, you know, so she could fit into her suit? I think she took a couple diet pills she picked up at Longs Drugs earlier. I think she had some fruit for breakfast yesterday."

"That would explain why her pulse and blood pressure is up," Mattingsly commented as he noted vitals and picked up the biophone.

"We need to get fluid on board asap!" Roy said.

"Castle ER, this is squad 14," Kenta said. After several long moments and a repeat of the hail they were answered.

"Squad 14, this is Castle," Dr. Hu's annoyed voice came over the speaker.

"Castle, we have a female, approximately 20 years old. She has collapsed. Her vitals are, 160/100, pulse is 110 and bounding, respiration is 30 and shallow. She has vomited. Witnesses on scene report she has taken two over the counter diet pills and has not eaten since yesterday morning," Kenta reported. "Request permission to start an IV, D5W."

"Squad 14, are you trying to tell me my job?" Hu snapped back. "Load her up and get her in to ER."

"Castle, there is no ambulance on scene," he tensed.

"Well, get one!" she hissed. Roy reached over and took the handset.

"Cap? What's the eta?" he asked Lopez.

"At least 10 minutes," Lopez said.

"Castle ER, this is Paramedic Roy Desoto," he announced, visualizing the scowl that must be covering Hu's face. "Ambulance is at least 10 minutes out. Patient is dehydrated and needs fluid on board. Permission to start an IV."

"Negative! Just wrap and run!" she commanded imperiously. Roy looked up at Capt. Stanley.

"That transmission was garbled," he said steadily. Then he turned the knob to a second tab marked "Queens".

"Queens ER, this is squad 14," he said while the 14s firemen looked on incredulous.

"Squad 14, this is Queens," Dr. Stewart's surprised voice came over the speaker.

"Queens, we have a 20 year old female, bp, 160/100, pulse is 110 and bounding, respiration is 30 and shallow. She has vomited. Witnesses on scene report she has taken two over the counter diet pills and has not eaten since yesterday morning," he reported. "Request permission to start an IV, D5W."

"10-4, Squad 14," Stewart immediately responded. "IV, D5W, wide open. Have a second bag ready. Will you be transporting to Queens?"

"That's negative, Queens," Roy said firmly, "patient will be taken to Castle. We had a transmission failure."

"That failure wouldn't have been Dr. Hu," he asked darkly.

"Dr. Hu was unable to hear us clearly," came the diplomatic response.

"I understand, Squad 14," Stewart answered. "Good job."

"10-4" Roy responded. He proceeded to help get an IV started by explaining how to raise a vein. Pete's light touch was able to thread in a needle and soon fluids flowed into the dehydrated body.

"Uh, what are we going to tell Dr. Hu?" he said nervously as he tapped down the line.

"I'll be with you," Roy said.

"And I will be sure to speak with her director when I get to the station," Capt. Stanley assured the paramedics. "If their tape recording is 'damaged' then we'll just access the one at department headquarters."

"You guys really do know how to handle problems," Kenta said in quiet surprise.

"We know the law," said Roy, "inside and out. Whether she likes it or not Dr. Hu will have to utilize your services appropriately."

"Let me call this in," Lopez said. "My station, my men."

"Of course Brian," Hank said calmly. "Desoto, Gage and I thoroughly reviewed your new law with Dr. Brackett so I will support you in any way you need."

"Where am I?" a weak voice came from the grass.

"Miss?" Pete bent over her with a warm, comforting smile. "You're at Ana Moana Park. What do you remember?"

"Uh, I'm dizzy, and sick," she said slowly. "I can't remember."

"You're dehydrated," he said. "You took some diet pills this morning?"

"Uh, yeah, Dexatrim," she stumbled over her words.

"Well, that product has ephedrine in it," he said. "It made your heart speed up and you collapsed."

"Not having anything to eat or drink also didn't help you," Kentra added. "We'll be taking you over to Castle ER. They'll take care of you." She nodded as her eyes closed.

Once the ambulance arrived she was loaded up and both Pete and Roy climbed in with her.

Time to do battle with the dragon.

Dr. Hu was furious. She contacted her administrator and immediately lodge a complaint against the paramedics, demanding he come to the ER to discipline them when they came in. It was about fifteen minutes later when the ambulance backed in and the two paramedics brought in their victim.

"Karina, Dr. Hoyle, please take the patient," Hu waved her hand dismissively. "You two come with me!" If Pete had been alone he'd have tucked tail and run. But with Roy at his side he firmed up his shoulders and with head held high followed the upset doctor down to her office. Upon entering he noted a 'suit', presumably an administrator or someone like that.

"These are the men who broke protocol?" the suit asked.

"Not only did they break protocol, they were rude and questioned my orders," she stated.

"Have you listened to the tape of the run?" Roy asked before either could add more.

"Unfortunately the tape machine was not working correctly," Hu said with a glint in her eye. When it came down to it she knew the administrator would take her side over those two... idiots.

"Then..." he began.

"Mr. ?" Roy prompted.

"Dr. Jackson," came the tight reply.

"Dr. Jackson, I'm Roy Desoto from the Los Angeles Fire Department and this is Pete Shipton, HFD," he began. "Capt. Lopez is requesting copies of the transmission from department headquarters. I'm sure once you've heard the actual communications you'll understand clearly what occurred."

A look of actual fear crossed Hu's face as she jumped in.

"I'm sure that won't be necessary!" she said. "An apology from you would take care of the misunderstanding." Jackson looked at the ER doctor. This was not what she'd told him. If her accusations were substantiated by the tape then he could request both these men have complaints filed against them and be disciplined appropriately.

"No, Dr. Hu," he said. "From what you told me these men should be disciplined. I will discuss this with Capt. Lopez when he contacts me."

"I don't think that's necessary," she backpedaled. "I may have over-reacted."

"It is necessary," Roy said. "It is necessary that the program be used correctly, no matter what personal feelings might be held by individual members of the team.

"Then I will be in my office," the administrator said. "I will review the tapes from the fire department and discuss what actions should be taken. For the time being we will all go back to our jobs."

"Let's go, Pete," Roy said with a nod towards both doctors. "Kenta is probably waiting for us." The paramedics left the room.

"Don't worry, Dr. Hu," Jackson said with a tight smile. "I'll get to the bottom of this," he also left the room.

A very upset woman sat down at her desk and tried to figure out just how the situation had gotten so out of control.

When the paramedics returned to the 14s lunch was being discussed. Pete went to the cupboard to get a couple coffee mugs.

And was immediately soaked by a water bomb. Several people began to laugh.

"Hey, Shipton, need some soap?" Tanaka grinned.

"MIHO!" he growled as he swung around.

"Man, Chet was right!" she bragged. "That works a lot better than stringing up a bag!"

"Chet," Hank asked, "as in Chet Kelly?"

"Yups, he was here our last shift," Tanaka said. "He gave me some pointers on the fine art of water bombs." Hank looked over at Roy.

"I don't think this was the kind of training the two departments envisioned when we were tapped," he said.

"You better get a couple more uniforms," Roy reached around the dripping man to snag three coffee mugs. Lopez came into the kitchen.

"What happened? Why are you wet?" he asked then followed the glare to his engineer.

"No, forget it, don't want to know," he said quickly. "Tanaka, get this mess cleaned up!"

"ME? Why me?" she said as innocently as Chet would. "I'm waaay over here and Pete's the one who's wet." Lopez just gave her the captain's 'I'm in charge' glares and tapped a foot until she shoved up from the table and went for a towel. Roy poured out coffee and handed Kenta and Pete mugs.

"I'll just drip dry," Pete grumbled. This earned him a special glare all of his own.

"Uh, I might have an extra shirt," he hedged as he left the room and headed for the dorms.

X x x x x x x x x x x

Johnny was fast asleep on a lounge, the warm Hawaiian sun toasting his sore shoulder muscles. He shifted as hands began to rub his back with a cool lotion.

"mmmm?" a sleepy question.

"Hi Johnny!," Emily Stanley said brightly. "I think this side is done, time to turn over!"

"Your husband know you're touching another man?" he teased as he arched slightly into the back rub.

"Yups! He even told me to make you comfortable," she said with a big grin.

"I'm not gonna complain," he said as he slumped back down onto the lounge.

"Get up and move to the beach," she said as she patted his upper arm.

"Mr. Gage?" a hotel attendant came up to the pair. Ruthie and Jake pointed down at the man on the lounge.

"Yes?" Johnny pushed himself up and flipped over, sitting on the edge of the lounge.

"You have a phone call," he said, "if you'd step over to the refreshment stand?"

With a shrug he followed the attendant to the waiting phone.

"Hello?" he wondered who it was.

"Hey, Johnny, it's Dan Williams," Danno said.

"Hi Danny," his smile came over the phone. "What's up?"

"Actually, nothing much," he replied. "I was going to take a long lunch since I'm on late tonight and I thought you might like to come along."

"Sure, sounds good," Gage replied. "Long as it isn't sashimi or poke. Just can't do raw fish!" Danny chuckled.

"Nothing raw, I promise," the detective said. "But Chinese ok?"

"Yeah, I like just about everything," he said. "Where do you want me to meet you?"

"How about I pick you up in twenty minutes?" Danny suggested. "I'll be out front of your hotel. I tried your room. I guess Kel is out."

"He said he wanted to do some shopping today," Johnny said, "but I'm ready to eat!" After a quick goodbye he hung up. Returning to Emily he took his key and headed up to dress.

Steve McGarrett looked over at his second in command as he made a luncheon date. He wonder who it was; he didn't think it was a lovely lady but it was someone he was interested in. He knew most of Danno's friends so he walked into the cubicle and parked himself on the edge of the desk.

"So, what are you going to do with your lunch break, aikane?" he nosily asked.

"Eh, going to eat with a friend, do a little catch-up," the younger man said evasively.

"Oh? Who's that?" Steve pursued the identity of the friend.

"John Gage," Danny admitted. "Figured after his and Dr. Brackett's introduction to Honolulu I'd do some damage control for the tourist industry." Steve wondered what the two men had in common that attracted his second.

"Ah," he said. "Where you going to eat?"

"Mings," the curly-haired detective said. "Chinese sounded good." He straightened up a few things on his desk. "I should be back between two and three."

"Good, we can discuss the stakeout when you're back," McGarrett said. He contemplated inviting himself to lunch. Williams must have picked up on it and quickly excused himself. He wanted to talk surfing, a topic his boss would not approve of!