Chapter 21

When Johnny reached his room he fumbled a moment with the key before gaining access. He looked into the room and saw the back of Dr. Brackett's head on the couch.

"Hey, Doc!" he called our. "How's it going?" He was greeted with silence. Maybe he fell asleep sitting up? Without putting the food away he moved over to the couch and peeked around at the man. Eyes open, pale face.

Johnny set the bag down on the coffee table and slowly sat down by his friend. No indication he was noticed.

"Kel?" he inquired, his hand went to rest gently on the man's shoulders.

"I was walking, just window shopping," Brackett said tonelessly. "I looked down the street and saw these two huge men coming towards me." Now his eyes went down to the clenched hands in his lap.

"I... I couldn't," he stuttered. "You know. So I came back here." Very carefully Gage moved a little closer and put his entire arm over his friends trembling shoulders.

"You're safe, Kel," he said gently. "Those guys are still in lock up. Danny doesn't think they'll even make bail." They sat for long moments until the doctor leaned against the paramedic.

"Why am I shaking? Why am I so scared?" he asked, knowing the answers. "You went out somewhere and you're not scared."

"I think you know the answers to the first two, Kel," Johnny said gently. "And I went out with a police detective who was armed. Remember, I was in shock last night! I couldn't stop shaking even at the restaurant with that lovely wahina to soothe me!"

"Yeah," Kel hesitantly agreed.

"And just who woke you up in the middle of the night?" Gage prompted.

"You did," Brackett sighed. "Ok, I know the answers, I just don't like feeling like this!"

"Have you eaten anything since breakfast?" Johnny changed tracks.

"No," he reluctantly admitted. He watched as his friend leaned over and opened the bag.

"Well, then, I got a treat for you!" Gage pulled out three different cartons and several pairs of chopsticks. "Mr. Shen cooked these especially for Danny and me. It's killer!" Taking a pair of chopsticks Kel opened a carton and looked inside. Looked like beef with lots of veggies. With a trembling hand he picked it up and took a bite. Johnny opened the other two and grabbed himself some sticks.

"You won't like this one," he teased, "mixed seafood. Mmmmmm!" Kel eyed the younger man's smirk then set down his carton and swiped the other. He poked inside and was happy to see chunks of white fish, shrimp and scallops mixed with noodles.

"Nope, hate it," he said as he began to pull out a big shrimp. "Positively disgusting!" He popped it into his mouth and chewed happily. Snickering, Johnny got up and checked the fridge. Emily had filled it with good stuff. He selected two beers and popped the tops before coming back to the couch.

"You'll need this for the curry," he said as he picked up the last carton and took a bite. It tasted incredible, even though it was spicy hot. Johnny only took a few token bites to remember the flavors letting Kel eat his fill. By the time the last of the curry disappeared the shaking had stopped and color had returned to his face.

"So, what were you window shopping for?" Gage asked.

"Just something for Dixie and Joe," Kel replied. "Maybe Mike."

"You want to go out for awhile?" he asked. "We could take a cab over to the International Market, there are a lot of local artisans there plus the tourist kitsch for Dr. Early and Dr. Morton."

"I saw the ad for that downstairs," Kel said. "Yeah, if you don't mind." He earned a smile.

"Let me see if Emily's in," John said. "Already upset the Cap once today, don't want to go for a two-fer!" At the questioning look he briefly told him about the fire and his bad luck that Hank and Roy were at the station that responded. Kel had to admit Johnny had gotten off easy!

When Gage got ahold of the Cap's wife she quickly invited herself and the rest of the families along. She wanted to see all the booths and there were a lot of different types of food! Within an hour Emily and Joanne had the troops organized and the various cars ready to go.

The village was wonderful, the booths appealing to the tourist and the locals. Various artists had beautiful jewelry for sale and there were plenty of kitsch available for purchase.

The group moved slowly through the village setting, small children hanging on to moms and the teens watching out for Chris. Kel found himself looking at many different pieces of jewelry. Emily happily followed the doctor as she looked for herself.

Johnny, true to form, found every food stand. He was munching on some saimin when he looked across the courtyard setting and saw a bunch of posters and banners advertising the Big Waves Competition. Like a moth to flame he crossed over to see who was there.

"JOHNNY!" a woman jumped up and waved.

"Lizzy!" he called back as he moved up to the table. The rather attractive lady jumped on the table and then in front of him for a saimin-laced hug and kiss. Quite a few people looked on in interest at the reunion.

"Mike said you'd be over here working, but I never thought I'd see you!" Lizzy grinned as she leaned against her bro. She'd known him since they were both teenagers; he'd broken into her father's food stand near the beach to get out of the rain.**

"He didn't tell me he ran in to you," Johnny tossed his plate into a close-by trash can. "But I figured you'd be here in a week or two for the competition." By now many of the 51's family had caught up with them. Kel looked at the pretty lady and wondered where he'd seen her before.

"Hi Beth, Joanne, Emily," Lizzy grinned. The women greeted her warmly.

"You remember Kelly Brackett?" Joanne introduced them. "He's one of the doctors Roy and Johnny work for."

"Yeah, I remember!" Lizzy shook his hand. "I've spoken with you a couple times when Johnny-bro's been in the hospital." Now all the dots were connected.

"Lizzy, of course!" Kel's smile broadened. "You're John's sister!" This pronouncement caused several bystanders to blink. A lovely, pale, blue-eyed, sun bleached brunette sister to the dark haired, dark eyed man?

"Doin' a little publicity for the sponsors, eh?" Johnny nodded towards the posters being signed and passed out.

"Yups," she smiled. "I'll be done in an hour. Want to hang out after?"

"Sure! I'll swing back by," Johnny promised. "I still have a few dozen food booths to try!" There were assorted snickers and promises of Alka Selzerā„¢ as the two separated.

x x x x x x

Roy waited for Kenta to get out of the squad. They'd just returned after yet another 'man down' call at a local hotel. Hu had grudgingly ordered IV fluid and the patient was delivered without much comment to Castle ER.

Pete sniffed the air, "Smells like dinner!" He headed into the kitchen with two hungry crew mates following close behind. Hank was at the sink finishing dishes with Koga.

"Hey, there's chowder and salad left for you," the 51s captain told them. "Bread in the oven."

"They conned you into cooking, Cap?" Roy asked as he accepted bowls from Kenta.

"Well, it seems Tanaka was suppose to do dinner," he nodded towards Capt. Lopez who was smugly reading the newspaper at the table.

"There was a bit of a mess in the dorms," Koga drawled. "Cap figured the floor needed scrubbing."

"With a good, stiff, brush and bucket of suds," Randy Levine tossed in as he pulled out a bowl of salad.

"Dare I ask what she got up to?" Pete asked. Lopez gave him a glare over the top of his newspaper.

"Let's say Miho doesn't have the finesse Chet does in selecting her target," Hank said with a forced straight face.

"Got you again, Cap?" Pete dared to ask. This elicited a round of laughter that was nearly as quickly quelled.

"I borrowed one of your shirts, Mattingsly," the paper rattled. "I'll get it back to you next shift."

"You were the only one with a dry, clean shirt," Levine staged whispered. "Me and Ben got nailed when we went to mop the bay."

"Sounds like Miho is a bit wilder than Chet," Roy commented.

"I don't know if she's wilder," Hank said. "She's more like a kid with new toys. Chet did some serious training while he was here."

"And he taught her how to build the launchers," Levine supplied. "We don't know how many she actually has."

"I've confiscated three so far," growled Lopez and he tossed the paper aside. As the three hungry men sat down to chowder, bread and salad the relative quiet was broken by the phone.

"Ca-ap!" Tanaka's voice carried in from the dorms. "A Dr. Jackson from Castle on the line!" Kenta and Pete exchanged nervous glances.

"Keep scrubbing Miho! I want it shining!" Lopez yelled back as he got up and headed to his office. Hank took his place.

"Don't sweat it, guys," he said confidently. "From the tape Lopez and I heard you did everything by the book and professionally. If anything it was Desoto who had the challenging tone when he took over communications."

"Do I look worried?" Roy said as he sipped at a spoonful of clammy goodness. "I was assertive. She was aggressive. This is good, Cap."

"Koga has seafood connections," he said. "Fresh shucked clams and his cousin's personal fish broth. Can't mess that up!"

"Yeah, and my cuz will want the recipe, Cap," Koga said as he flipped the chair around and straddled it. Hank smirked. The conversation continued, light and calming in deference to the nervous paramedic duo.

Miho guiltily crept in a few moments later and grabbed a glass of ice tea. She joined her colleagues at the table. The linesmen glared for a moment before dropping their facade and grinning.

"So, any more... opportunities waiting to spring?" Levine asked.

"Ai yah! I do enough for one shift, bruddah!" Tanaka grinned mischievously. "You better get a couple more uniform shirts, though." Hank and Roy snickered.

"Done so soon, Tanaka?" Lopez growled from the doorway.

"Yes, sir, captain, sir," she threw him a smart salute without standing up. The two paramedics looked up expectantly.

"What did Dr. Jackson have to say?" Roy asked wanting to put the men out of their misery.

"He was somewhat apologetic, but didn't actually apologize," Lopez said. "He did confirm you three acted professionally with the patient in the forefront of concern. He also said he would be personally be reviewing the tapes daily until the program was firmly established and he hinted that he'd be meeting with the hospital staff to review procedures."

"Whew!" Kenta finally took a breath.

"Aurite," Pete grinned.

"He also mentioned he would be requesting Dr. Brackett spend some extra time at Castle," Lopez concluded.

"Doc's gonna love that!" Roy muttered. None of the LA based personnel got along with Dr. Hu.

"I'm not going to mention it to Kel," Hank decided as he sipped his coffee.

x x x x x

A couple hours later Kel had not only found a necklace of coral and pearls for Dixie, but also the perfect Tiki gods for Joe and Mike. He'd picked up the god of strength and healing for Mike and the tiki god of love for Joe. The latter had a mischievous expression reminiscent of his grey-haired friend.

Plus the little descriptor was hysterical, something Joe would blush over before he broke into laughter. Hmmm, maybe he should get one for Dixie as well...

His thoughts were derailed as a giggling Jennifer latched on to his leg and tried to hide behind him. Her brother came after her, and he wasn't happy.

"MO-OM!" Chris complained. "Jennifer is being a brat!" Kel looked down at the little girl.

"You? Jennifer Desoto?" he asked seriously. "You are being a brat?" The wide smile of a child who'd gotten her sibling's goat wreathed her face and she shook her head negatively.

"Uh-huh," she giggled. Before he was completely hogtied by another child Johnny caught up to the angry boy.

"Hey, Chris, how about a ride?" the paramedic asked the decidedly tired boy. Just as he was about to accept the good doctor negated the action.

"John Gage, you hurt your shoulder last night!" he scolded. Then he noted the frown on Chris's face deepen. "Come here, kiddo!" he waved to the boy and crouched down. Soon he was sporting a live backpack.

Of course, cameras came out to capture the normally staid doctor turned horsie. Lizzy reached over and took his packages.

"Here, I can handle that!" the surfer smiled at him.

"Lizzy, all done?" Johnny asked as he slipped his arm around her.

"Yups!" she returned. "Went on a little longer than expected."

"You are kind of popular," he teased.

"Oh, and those other guys with me?" she looked at him.

"Window dressing for the best of the best," he stated.

"Man, if you weren't my bro I'd so kiss you about now!" she bussed him on the cheek. Then linked arms as they turned to face the group.

"Do we have any plans for tonight?" Joanne asked.

"No, I thought I'd take my kids to one of the restaurants near the hotel," Emily said.

"I'm just going to eat in the hotel's cafe," Beth said. "Becky is really tired!"

"I think we'll join you," Joanne said. "Looks like my two are tired and grumpy to boot!"

"You want to go out to a club?" Lizzy asked. John glanced over at Kel.

"Uh, we tried that last night," he said. "That's why we have the day off and the rest of the guys are working!"

"There's a story there, I bet!" Lizzy said. "I'm staying at the Hilton. There's a pretty good restaurant and bar there." Kel chuckled.

"Small world! We're there as well," he said.

"Perfect! Can I hitch a ride back?" she asked. "I, uh, have had a little problem with a couple of fans." Johnny pulled out of her arm and put his over her shoulders.

"Need some help?" he asked, always the protective brother.

"Yeah, maybe," she sighed.

"You can hang around with us," Beth said with a comforting smile. "How long are you staying in Honolulu?" Lizzy happily chatted with her, detailing a bit of her schedule. They started back to the cars, tired teens and children dragging behind.

** See GingerS's "Going to Extreme Measures"