The A shift of Station 51 stayed frozen in their positions. Roy was the first one to move to his friends' side, still not believing what he just witnessed.
A chorus of unified voices rang out at the same time, scolding Chet's actions:
"Chet, what the Heck?"
"KELLY, YOU TWIT!"
"Madre Dios!"
Roy was too occupied with John to deal with Chet. He began his ministrations, watching the goose egg on Johnny's head increase in size and color before his very eyes. Chet just sat on the passenger seat of the squad, dumfounded, thinking the worst.
As Roy began taking care of his partner, John began to stir, eyes closed, mumbling incoherently.
"P-p-purrrse…c-can't touch the p-purse…f-flowers…so puurrrtttyy…lint…in m-my b-belly b-button…"
"Johnny? Can you hear me? Com'on. Open your eyes. Com'on, Junior. Talk to me." Roy tried to get Johnny to wake up. Mike had retrieved the equipment and had opened a line to Rampart.
"C-cake…c-cake go b-boom!" Johnny continued to babble with his eyes closed. Roy took his vitals, and started the ordered IV. Once loaded into the ambulance, Captain Stanley ordered Chet to drive the squad to Rampart.
E*E*E*E*E
The change in direction let Roy know that they were backing into Rampart. As the driver opened the back door, Roy helped unload the gurney that held his disheveled partner. Although not fully conscious, Johnny was murmuring about the terrible day he had been having.
As his gurney was wheeled down the hall, the very sight of his appearance caused the staff to stop dead in their tracks and stare at poor Johnny. Dixie was having none of it, ordering them back to their assigned duties, or offering to find them something to do. Feeling defensive of his friend, Roy pulled the blanket up tighter around his partner's shoulders. As they disappeared into room 3, Dr. Brackett stood frozen in place, Mouth agape.
"Good God, Roy! What happened to him?!"
Dixie silently got to work and began taking care of her favorite paramedic. Roy let out an exasperated breath, and told of the days' entire horrible tale, while Johnny moaned groggily in the background. When he got to the part about the squad's door, a touch of pent up emotion tinged Roy's voice. Dixie took his arm, and escorted him to the lounge for a much needed cup of coffee.
Roy plunked wearily into the plastic chair. Dixie handed him a cup of old, strong coffee. He set it on the table without sampling it. It may have been just 'one of those days', but it definitely needed it to end. Especially for his best friend. enough was enough.
E*E*E*E*E
The fogginess began to lift from his mind. He cracked open one eye; then the other. The dull pounding in his head told him that something had happened, and yet, his mind was jumbled enough to make him think that all the events of the day couldn't have possibly transpired. He couldn't figure out why he had such strange visions swirling in his brain.
Little old ladies beating up aliens with their purses...or was it aliens setting cakes on fire? Or was it a little old lady had the fish guts in her purse and the alien had set fire to the...wait. The hula dancer was wearing a mum plant hat, and started eating cake. No, no, no... That wasn't it. He closed his eyes again. The thumping intensified.
Long, gentle fingers encircled his wrist, and the smell of soft, fresh flowers wafted toward his nose, and he gladly breathed it in. He let his eyes slowly open, afraid to interrupt this welcomed dream, just in case it truly was one.
"How are you feeling, Mr. Gage?" A soft, sweet voice matched the beautiful brown eyes that peered into his. He tried to focus on the name plate. Although he saw two, he didn't care. Her gentle smile calmed his soul and his mind.
"My name is Kate, and I'm your nurse this evening. Don't worry, you are at Rampart. You'll being staying with us tonight. You've got a mild concussion, and some minor burns, but you're going to be just fine. Are you in any pain?" John couldn't take his eyes off her. He had to be dreaming. She placed a straw to his lips and he took a sip. Her smile alone was medicine to his injured spirit.
"Better, Mr. Gage? Should I see about some stronger meds for you?" Her smile was all the medicating he needed. He hadn't realized he had been squeezing her hand. He didn't want to let go.
"No. m-okay. And…It's John. Th-thank you. Kate." John's crooked smile melted her, too. She squeezed his hand in return. She straightened his bedding and his pillow, and adjusted his IV's. As they locked eyes again, she brushed his hair away from his bruise. John flinched, squeezing his eyes shut. He opened them again, slowly, afraid he had dreamed her into existence. He hadn't. Kate was still there, gazing into his eyes with concern, still holding his hand in comfort. They smiled at each other at the same time.
"I'm so sorry, Mr... ah, John. You have an anxious friend waiting to see you. I'm going to let the doctor know that you are awake, and let you have time with your friend. I'll be back soon." She squeezed his hand in reassurance. Another soft wafting of wildflowers drifted toward him. John relaxed and settled into his pillow. Kate turned as she left and smiled at her new favorite patient.
A night at Rampart? He could handle it…this time. His luck was about to change.
He glanced at the clock. It was past midnight…it was no longer one of THOSE days.
It was a NEW day.