Chapter 23

When the crew of 51's A shift started drifting in for duty they found John sitting at the table looking tired and dejected as he looked over a bunch of hand written papers looking for information he needed to fill out several forms of an official looking nature.

From the look on his face on one could tell that he and Elise spent all afternoon and into the late hours of the evening laughing in each other's arms. It was the events of the early morning that has altered John's mood beginning with what he noticed written on a box when he fixed breakfast while Elise was still in bed getting some much needed sleep. That was where it started and went downhill from there.

Roy poured coffee in a foam cup and sat down next to his partner to wait for him to open up. John gave a silent smile in his direction before turning back to his paperwork and Roy could see the tears in his eyes both shed and unshed.

He reached out his hand to give a supportive touch when Captain Stanley walked in, noticing the glum look on John's face. Mike and Marco followed keeping their silence concerning the look on John's face but Chet was another story.

"So has the new Mrs. Gage dumped you all ready?" Chet chortled as he made his way for the coffee pot. "I could tell from the first time I met her that she was just using you Gage." John stood up and the chair he was in went flying but the action only seemed to fuel Chet. "Now that you've taken the beatings and managed to get her awful family to leave her alone she's dumped you and is now out trying to snare her next meal ticket."

The chair between John and Chet was sent sailing even farther as Roy reached around from behind and threw his arm tight around John's chest with the help of Mike and the captain standing between John and Chet with a hand on each of their chests keeping them apart, Marco took a hold of Chet's arm and was pulling him away but that didn't shut the lineman up.

"Face it Gage you're better off without her, she's just a leach, nothing more than a ball and chain you're better off without."

"Get him out of here before I put his nose at the back of his head," Captain ordered and both Mike and Marco complied dragging Chet out of the room while Cap and Roy tried to calm John down and get him to loosen the fists that were destined for Chet's well deserving face.

"How dare he talk about Elise like that?" John spoke with venom, "I'll kill him if he says another word. He's worse that her family." "Where does he come off saying those things about her? I should just go out there and . . ."

"Now calm down John," Cap commanded kindly, "let's not make a bad thing worse, I'll deal with Chet in a minute. Is Elise alright?"

John softened his stance in Roy's arms and when Roy loosened his hold John pulled away and walked over to pick up the chair. "She's doing as well as can be expected right now." John started as a few more tears pooled up in his eyes.

"Come on John; remember when I agreed to be one of your witnesses? You promised to keep me informed and tell me everything, now what's going on here, you're clearly not the same newlywed I left in his apartment two days ago?"

"How would you feel if you just had to drop your wife off at a nursing home so you could go to work? How would you feel if you saw one person treat her like she was some unwanted task no one should have the right to burden him with and then the next person treat her like she was a three years old who didn't even know how to wipe her nose, while the head nurse pushes you out the door telling you…" John sniffled and placed his hands on his hips then turned back to his friends, "The head nurse said I wasn't needed any more I was just in the way of her settling in."

John moved over and sat down again. "I hate leaving her there; I've got to figure out something else."

"I see what you mean there pall," Hank tried to calm, "we'll see what we can do to help you. Is there a reason why you have to take her to a nursing home?"

John ran his fingers through his hair then rested his head on his hand with the elbow on the table. "She can't be left alone because of the seizures and pacemaker checks but she's not bad enough to stay in the hospital. This is what was worked out with the workers comp fund but there has to be someplace else, tons of places a lot better, She's surrounded by Alzheimer patients and mentally ill types that are bouncing off the wall and arguing with people who aren't even there. She doesn't belong in a place like that."

"I can understand how that could be real rough," Hank tried to calm his man and decide if he was fit for duty or should be sent home. He wanted to send him home to rescue his wife from the place that was described to him but he knew that wouldn't look good on John's record nor would it be a long term fix, so he was trying to think of something else as Roy placed a disposable cup of coffee in front of his partner.

John looked at the cup offered to him and closed his eyes and shook his head as if he had just remembered something, "Roy I need some help hauling some things in form my Car could you give me a hand?"

"Sure but let's go this way and let the Cap deal with Kelly this once okay," Roy led John to the outside door and once they were out Hank headed for the apparatus bay where Chet was being held, hoping his other two men had him slightly tenderized for his royal grilling. He was actually disappointed when he noticed the ill mouthed Irishmen didn't already have a couple of black eyes.

Hank stood looking at Kelly with his hands on his hips and a glare that should have burned a hole between his eyes. "What in the hell were you trying to do in there Kelly?"

"Don't tell me I'm the only one who knows that chick is taking advantage of John," Kelly continued, "It's so obvious if anyone would only open up their eyes and look."

Chet was saved from instant termination by the sound of the tones.

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John and Roy were working together to carry in two boxes of dishware, each box was a service for four, plus an additional box that held and extra dozen coffee cups. Both John and Elise felt they owed it to the station to replace what was being broken on their account.

In carrying in the boxes John found a hint of a smile in remembering how he'd managed to so completely stun so many of his fellow workers with the news that Elise was now an official part of his life. Hearing the tones were singing their tune the boxes were quickly sat down on the table and John and Roy jumped into action, responding to a possible heart attack just five miles away.

While Hank took care of getting his paramedics on their way he decided to send Chet to his office to tenderize a little further before he gave him the grilling of his life.

Once the Squad was on its way, Captain Stanley chose to step out back and take a few deep breaths and then chose to make a phone call in the dorm before dealing with his lineman.

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The squad pulled over and parked at the curb of a duplex where a very emotional man was waiting for them. "You've got to hurry, I didn't mean to upset her, I was such an idiot, such a jerk."

"It's all right, it's all right," John calmed to the best of his ability as he pulled equipment from the squad, "We're hurrying just as fast as we can. Can you tell me what happened?"

"We had a fight, a stupid fight, yesterday. I shouldn't have left her. The Doctor told me she needed to rest and relax or she might have another heart attack." The guy stammered as he pulled at John's elbow and loaded arm in the direction of the house. "I just needed to get a way for a while, and when I got back a little while ago she was on the floor, you've got to help her. You can't let her die like this."

"We'll do everything we can," Roy took up the dialog as he followed behind his partner who was being led to a larger room near the back of the duplex.

When John stepped into the room he knew with his first glance that they were too late, a long time too late, her color was bluish, her features distorted. Setting his equipment down John kneeled at her side and searched for a carotid pulse. Her body was cold and stiff under his fingers and there was no life sustaining vibrations to offer hope. Her face was streaked with the salt left behind from dehydrated tears. She was beyond their help.

Taking a moment to control his emotions and choose his words the best he could, John turned to the distraught man who had nearly carried him into the room. "I'm sorry sir, there's nothing we can do."

"But you have to do something," the man became agitated and took John by the shoulders and threw him back toward the woman on the floor. When Roy moved to make sure his partner was alright the man reached inside a drawer and pulled out a large carving knife and started wielding it in the direction of the fire men.

"Now put that knife away sir," Roy tried to calm and John grabbed the HT and pressed the call switch. "You won't make anything better but using that knife."

"You help my wife or so help me neither of you will leave this place alive." The man threatened loud enough to carry through the HT.

"Let's keep our calm," John spoke as he pulled the biophone close and opened it up. "Let's get the Doctor on the line so he can tell us what to do."

"Rampart this is squad 51 do you read."

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Back at the station Captain Stanley was in the process of yelling at his line man, informing him that no matter what he felt of a person it was not acceptable to degrade a coworker's wife either to his face or behind his back. "I've only known her a short time myself but I have found that she cares for John a great deal and the two of them have deep feelings for each other. There is a real chance that this marriage will be short lived thanks to the injuries she has received, but that's all the more reason to help him enjoy every day that he has with her. I don't ever want to hear the words you said today spoken in this station to anyone!"

That's when the radio sounded off; Hank would have ignored it and continued yelling at his lineman if he hadn't of recognized Roy's Voice. The whole station froze to listen knowing there was little they could do.

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Dr. Morton and Dr. Early were in the com room each finishing up with other squads, the conversation being transmitted through the scanner drew both of their attention.

"Is that Roy?" Mike questioned if he recognized the voice.

"Rampart this is Squad 51 do you read?" Was heard and there was no question about it being Johnny on the radio.

At the same time radio chatter was heard on other frequencies letting both the Doctors in the booth and the firemen at the station know that police help was on the way.

"We need to buy them some time Mike," Dr. Early advised, "Just until help arrives."

"Alright," Mike nod his head and waited for the—

"Rampart this is squad 5, 1, do you read?"

"Ten Four 51 we read you loud and clear." Mike responded slowing his speech and keeping his voice calm. "What can you tell me about your patient 51?"

Mike hoped he has somehow let him know that he was aware of their predicament.

"Rampart we have a female in her early fifties, she is unconscious and unresponsive to any form of stimuli. She has a history of cardiac complications, we're going to sent you a strip now. This will be lead two."

Mike really realized what the men were up against when he looked and a cold flat line come across the screen. He was sure he let them know he understood when he requested, "Okay there 51, let's get a full set of vitals, make sure you count the pulse and respirations for a full minute and watch for any irregularities. Also make sure you get a blood pressure reading on both arms.

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At the rescue scene John and Roy gave each other a sigh that only they could see and set about doing what they were instructed to do feeling for sure help was informed of what was going on and was on the way. Before they had gone through the motions of getting all of the vitals that were asked for. Dr. Morton came on the line again. "51, Are you able to get the name of the patient's doctor? We'd like to get a copy of the patient's complete medical records."

John looked up to the man who was still threatening them with a knife and noticed two policemen had snuck in behind him.

"The hospital needs the name of your wife's doctor. They need to know everything that has been done for her." Johnny asked calmly as Roy picked up the Bio-phone and pretended to read off Vital information.

"She's been sick for so long," the man babbled as he softened his stance just a little. "I just needed a break, I couldn't take it having to take care of her all the time, making sure she got all of her meds right and at the right time. Doing all the cooking and cleaning while she slept. She never had any energy and she was so week. I, I, I guess I thought she was kind of faking it." The man started to look around a little, "What was it that you needed again?"

"The name and number of your wife's doctor." John repeated

The man lowered his knife and moved for a cupboard next to the phone. Johnny had moved into a position to be able to take hold of the hand that held the knife as the two policemen moved in to help restrain the man. Once John had the knife out of his hand the police officers wrestled him on the floor and cuffed him as he yelled, crying, "You can't let her die like this, she can't die like this."

"51, you may offer the police officer assistance in the form of twenty mg, diazepam." Dr. Morton prescribed and Roy pulled the preloaded syringe out of the drug box and motioned with it toward the police officers.

"Yes please," the leading police officer responded and Roy moved in to give the injection.

The ambulance attendants were led in with restraints already hooked up on the stretcher. "Thanks' a lot there Rampart we now have the situation under control. Report one patient code F and the second sedated and being restrained for transportation."

"10 -4 51 we'll be ready for your restrained patient when you arrive." Dr. Morton spoke then let out a deep sigh.

"You guys did good at keeping your cool," Dr. Early added.

"10-4 Rampart," John responded in an empty voice.

Roy turned to his partner in concern over the tone of his voice to see him looking at the woman long dead on the floor at his feet. Roy knew he was seeing someone else there and reached out to take his friend by the shoulder.

"She's alright John, she's being taken care of." Roy spoke the words to let his friend know he knew just what was on his mind.

John was sent in with the patient while Roy stayed behind to give a statement to the police as they waited for the coroner to arrive.

The patient was taken straight to the psyche ward for evaluation and as the gurney went one way, John went the other and met up with Dixie at the nurse's station.

"Dix we've got to get Eess out of that nursing home, she doesn't belong there." John pleaded with his friend on the other side of the desk. "Can you find another place she can go?"

"It just so happens that the place has called Dr. Brackett twice today, I think he's already working on it." Dixie responded with a pointing pen in the direction of Dr. Brackett's office. John took the hint and headed in that direction. John spent a few minutes in the busy doctor's office where a few things were discussed before Roy stuck his head in the room.

"Junior we've got a run." They were off only to have the run canceled because the victims of the accident only had minor injuries that didn't require paramedics, before they made it a block from the hospital.

"Should we head back to the station or do you need to go back to the hospital?" Roy asked and John just hung his head.

"Let's head back to the station, Brackett needs to talk with the doctor who arranged for Elise to be sent where she is. He said he hoped to have some kind of a solution for me later this afternoon. Right now their trying to get Elise admitted back into the hospital because the doctors won't let them sedate her. Bracket says that if they call again he's going to have her transported and looked over in the emergency room at least. He'll let her hang around the emergency room and rest in his office for the afternoon then Dixie offered to take Eess home to her place once she's off shift."

"That's got to help some," Roy tried to get his partner to look at the brighter side of things. "Maybe they can let Elise volunteer around the hospital when you're on shift."

"Unfortunately she needs more supervision than that and to let her volunteer could compromise her disability income." Johnny gloomed slightly less than he had been.

When they backed into the station and got out of the squad Chet was making his way out of the Captain's office with his turn outs and gear thrown over his shoulder and headed for the door.

"Cap, you didn't suspend him for what happened this morning did you?" Johnny ran to his nemesis's aid hoping to stop things if he could.

"No I didn't," Captain Stanley was quick to answer, "Carter over at 39's was clipped by a car at a traffic accident their first run this morning, He's fine but on injured reserve for at least a week, I thought it would be a good idea to separate you too for a few shifts while you both cool off a little."

"That's not a bad idea," Roy stepped up and placed a hand, a hand that he hoped would be a hand of reason on his friends shoulder, "It's only a couple of shifts, it will give you both a chance to unwind a little."

Hank waved his feisty lineman out the door and turned back to his newlywed paramedic. "I've talked with headquarters twice since you left the station. They want me to tell you that Station 69 is a decommissioned station and not accepting transfers at this time." Hank couldn't hold back a laugh any longer. "I've assured them that you're not transferring in, that you're turning it into a personal residence. I must admit it sounds like an interesting place to live but what on earth are you going to do with the apparatus bay?"

John gave his captain a snicker, "Elise and I laughed over that one most of last night, so far the list includes an indoor basketball court, formal dining room or ball room."

"And just where are you two going to sleep, those dorm sections aren't big enough for anything bigger than twin beds?"

"Oh yes they are, Cap," John defended himself. "We've measured them out. But right now it's between the chief's office and the weight room for the master bedroom, the weight room being in the lead because it has an opening to one of the latrines."

By now Roy was getting the idea about what was being said and without the luxury of the whole story had one question that he couldn't resist asking. "What are you going to do with all the lockers?"

"I thought I'd invite Chet over and stuff him in one," was John's quick answer.