Mudslide
These good fellows don't belong to me, but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off, and with a kiss on the cheek, return them safely home.
I can control my destiny but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny, but our fate is sealed.
Paulo Coelho
A/N: Thank you so much for the reading and the reviews. I really appreciate them. I hope you enjoy our story as it evolves.
CHAPTER 3
Roy's eyes darted to Johnny, who immediately picked up the biophone. He glanced up as Chet was returning with the equipment.
"Chet," he said, nodding to her. Chet had a calming nature with the victims.
"Hey, there," Chet knelt by her and spoke softly. He wasn't sure what was happening, but Roy's serious look conveyed a situation that was no longer laughable.
She turned her head to face him, now sitting more quietly. He was surprised to see tears.
"Hey," he repeated with a small smile. "Don't you worry, these guys are the best."
Roy checked her blood pressure again. "Chet, we need her to lie down."
"I don't want to," she whispered to him.
"We're right here with you," he encouraged her.
When she wavered slightly, Roy took advantage of it and guided her back, noting how quickly she became limp in his arms.
"Get her on the monitor," he told Chet.
His quick glance up to Johnny revealed his confusion and concern. Something was going wrong, and he feared for her life if he couldn't figure it out fast.
"Rampart, this is 51. Do you read?"
Read you 51, go ahead.
"Rampart, we have an update on our second patient. She is experiencing anxiety with no complaints of pain." He relayed her vital signs, which were just a little bit abnormal but not alarming to Brackett on the other end.
51, how long until transport is possible?
"Estimating approximately another half hour, Rampart."
Start an IV of LR at 100 an hour. Keep an eye on her vitals. Administer Morphine 0.5mg IV once.
"IV LR at 100 and Morphine x1. 10-4 Rampart."
Roy took her arm to find a site for the IV, and she pulled it away.
"Cindy, I'm going to start an IV and then give you some medicine so you can rest."
She was shaking her head. "No, no."
Her breathing was now quick, and she looked like she was going to jump up and run off any second.
Johnny placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey there, look at me."
Her fearful eyes frantically cut over to him.
"Keep your eyes on me, okay? I need you to slow your breathing down. Watch me…in…out."
"I can't. Something's wrong…"
"Got it," Roy told him.
Johnny quickly ran the fluids through the IV tubing and passed it to him.
"Chet, let's get her on a cannula," Roy told him.
He didn't know why she was feeling frantic, but a little oxygen might help ease her anxiety.
"Here you go," Chet told her gently, his concern rising with the medics' actions.
Roy injected the Morphine next, closely watching her reaction.
Her muscles relaxed, her eyelids grew heavy, and within a couple of minutes, she was resting again.
"What the hell was that all about?"
Roy was shaking his head, not happy in the least. "We need to check her again for injuries. We missed something."
Johnny nodded, not disagreeing, but he knew she said she wasn't in any pain. "Okay."
Head, neck, pupils, back, ribs, stomach, arms, pelvis, hips, and legs. Roy rocked back on his heels.
"Roy, maybe she was just having, like I don't know, maybe a panic attack? She was in a bad accident, had to wait to be found, and has been laying here in the cold damp for a long time"
It made sense. But it didn't satisfy him. "Let's get another set of vitals and update Rampart."
Rampart seemed appeased, though they were anxious to transport both patients. So was Roy. When she started to stir again, he was right by her side. His alarm grew when she went from quiet to almost frantic again.
"Easy, Cindy, try and rest."
"I can't…"
"What, tell me what's wrong," he urged her.
But this time, it was worse; her color palled out, her mouth open with short, quick breaths. Her pulse was 130 now.
"JOHNNY!" Roy called out, getting everyone's attention.
Johnny was there immediately.
"Pressure."
He checked. "90 over 50, respirations 40. What's going on?"
Roy looked at her neck. Her trachea hadn't deviated, though a collapsed lung was still a possibility. He put the stethoscope over her right chest, then her left. His eyes darted to Johnny.
"Check her pulses again." He slid his stethoscope down to the apex of her heart. "Damn."
"Roy," she cried out.
"Pulses paradoxis," Johnny said with shock.
"Distended neck veins, heart sounds are muffled."
"Damn," Johnny whispered as he picked up the biophone.
"Roy…."
He took her hand. "You're going to be okay, Cindy. Are you feeling any pain in your chest?"
She shook her head. "Pressure?"
"Okay." Reaching over, he turned her oxygen flow up. He quickly gathered supplies for another IV site. "Chet, monitor, cardiac boxes."
Chet was speechless and just nodded before running off.
"Rampart, this is 51."
Read you 51, go ahead.
"Rampart, we have had an acute deterioration of patient two. Heart rate is 130, respiration 40, rapid and slightly labored. Pulses paradoxical, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds."
Brackett shot a look over to Early.
51, sounds like cardiac tamponade. She needs to be transported immediately.
Chet came up behind them with Hank. Roy was on his feet.
"If we don't move her now, Cap, she won't make it."
Hank was shocked at the change in her. "What happened? You said she was stable."
Johnny glanced up, seeing the stab to Roy, knowing that his partner had been worried about her from the moment they pulled her out of the car. He had done everything possible to make sure she was okay.
Hank saw it also. "Just tell me what you need."
"We think she has a tear in the sac around her heart, leaking blood. It will continue to compress against her heart until it stops beating. Cap, there's nothing we can do for her here. Nothing."
"Pack her up." Hank turned and moved to the engine, radio in hand and already barking orders through it.
"Get another line in her," Roy told him. "Chet, grab the resuscitator."
51, how soon can you transport?!
Roy picked up the radio. "Rampart, we are loading her up now. We will have to carry her down the mountain to the ambulance."
There was a quiet pause, and he knew the doctors were calculating the time and the risks.
51. Start an isoproterenol drip and prepare a fluid bolus, but avoid it until absolutely necessary. Transmit on lead 2. Have emergency meds drawn up and ready to administer and insert the airway when indicated.
"10-4, Rampart."
Things moved quickly then. Cindy had stilled; her focus was on her breathing, but it appeared the insane restlessness had ceased.
"Chet, keep checking her pressure for me," Roy told him as he watched the cardiac monitor.
The rhythm was abnormal.
"I don't feel very good," she said softly.
Chet pushed her hair from her forehead. "Hang in there, okay? We're going to get you out of here."
She looked over to Roy. "Hurry."
"We're leaving now," Roy said, pulling the blanket back over her.
"Roy."
He shot his eyes at his partner. "Now."
Johnny just nodded. Standing up, he put the monitor between her feet and the oxygen tank beside her legs. "Let's go."
Johnny and Roy grabbed the front while Marco and Chet took the foot end. Hank and Mike met them at the engine.
"Stoker's going to lead you down. The ambulance is at the base of the slide. Watch your footing." He took to Roy an unspoken apology and nodded. "Get down there safe. She can't afford to lose any of you."
Roy nodded his understanding, and they started out in the dark and pouring rain.
The hike was quiet, only the sound of the rain around them and the faint beeping of a heart monitor. Initially, it was just rough pavement, allowing smooth and quick travel. Roy was fixated on the monitor, knowing that any change in her rhythm could signal further decompensation of her heart. She was quiet, and that bothered him, too. But when he would look down at her, she was usually awake, focused on something. Most likely breathing.
Soon, they found the source of trouble for the night: the massive slide covering the road as far as they could see. The pace slowed considerably.
When she started to stir, the medics were instantly attentive to her.
"Cindy?" Johnny called to her.
"Tight, chest, tight."
"It's getting harder for her to breathe," Johnny said quietly.
Roy didn't want to have to place an airway yet. She was too conscious and would fight it. A strain that he couldn't afford to risk right now. "Let's switch her the resuscitator."
Pausing for a minute, Roy put the bigger mask on her face, securing it around her neck. She started to push it away, and he held it in place.
"This is going to help you breathe easier."
She nodded and let him finish. However, now, if she tried to talk, to warn them of changes, he wouldn't be able to hear her. He wanted vital signs, blood pressure, and numbers but knew they wouldn't be getting better, only worse, and they couldn't afford to stop again. Mike remained in communication with the teams below them, but so far, they couldn't even hear the machinery that had been struggling to clear the path. Only the rain. Roy heard the scuffling before he could even figure out which one was sliding on the sloppy, wet, rocky path. It only took seconds to realize that Johnny and their patient were going down.
"JOHNNY!"
The medic was already shouting out a grunt as he landed on his side, now covered in mud and doing all he could to keep the stokes from hitting the ground while sliding further under it. Marco moved quickly to the center of the carrier, also trying to keep it from dropping, but ended up grabbing Johnny as he continued to slide down the embankment. Chet had turned at the commotion and shift of the stokes and quickly decided to plant at the end, effectively stopping Johnny's mudslide. Getting him out from underneath her, they gently set Cindy down while helping Johnny find his feet once again. Roy quickly looked at her first, finding her awake and scared looking, but her heart rhythm was stable. Next, he looked over to Johnny.
"You okay?" he asked anxiously.
Johnny tried to scoop the mud off him, shaking his head. "Stupid, what I am is stupid."
"Are you hurt?"
This time, he looked annoyed. "No." Then, seeing the intense worry in his friend's eyes, he sighed. "I'm okay; I just slid in the mud. Is she okay?" He asked, worried.
Roy nodded. "Think we can keep moving?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Let's get the hell out of here."
As they marched, Roy was watching his footing, the path ahead, the patient, and his partner, who had been very quiet.
"LOOK!" Marco called out.
They could now see some lights in the distance. For the first time, Roy was feeling hopeful. Then the monitor alarmed, redirecting his attention.
"Irregular, PVC's?" Johnny asked, seeing a rhythm he wasn't familiar with.
"Stop," Roy told them.
Johnny looked down, and she wasn't awake anymore. Checking her carotid, he looked up. "60, weak and thready".
She was dying. This was the time for the resuscitation orders from Rampart. "Put an airway in," Roy told him. "I'll start the bolus."
"Mike, can you get this side?" Johnny asked him. "I'll bag her."
Mike moved into place quickly.
Roy looked down. They were almost here. "We need to keep moving."
Without debate, their feet started moving again, closer and closer.
Then the monitor alarmed again.
"Flatline," Johnny said.
"We can't stop now." Roy leaned over and, with one hand, started compressing her heart. He knew that it was a useless measure, one that wouldn't help her at all. Nothing would now; only the removal of the fluid around her heart could save her. And that couldn't happen out here. His mind tried to calculate the distance to the ambulance, the time to load, the drive, and no matter how fast their feet moved, he knew it wouldn't be fast enough.
She was out of time.
When they reached the bottom, two more engine crews were working and quickly helped them over the last of the large rocks and to stable ground again. They headed straight to the ambulance with her, its doors open and waiting for them. Not wasting any time, they transferred the stokes onto the stretcher. Roy now leaned in for full chest compressions; Johnny began pushing the cardiac medications while Chet continued to give her breaths.
They were getting nothing back from her.
Then, a roaring came from overhead, causing emergency personnel to clear the area and duck down as a helicopter found a place to land. They were very thankful for the faster transport, but when Brackett and Morton hopped out, Roy felt like a miracle might happen.
"Roy, Johnny," Brackett greeted them. "How long?"
"Compressions for fifteen minutes, epi in times two, bicarb times one, and one normal saline bolus. Flatline so far. No response."
Brackett knew the tone of defeat from the medic, so he grabbed Roy's shoulder. "You got her this far." Then he got serious again. "Draw up IC epi and a fluid bolus. We brought blood for transfusion."
Now, in a dry space with bright lighting, they got her ready for the emergency procedure, which was her only chance of survival. Pushing her shirt up, the only mark on her body was a small bruise on her sternum. Morton poured brown betadine across the area while Brackett donned his gloves. With smooth, fluid motions, he found his landmark and inserted the long cardiac needle into her chest. Compressions were stopped, and no one moved. When Brackett pulled back on the syringe, it filled with dark blood. A lot of it.
He let out a sigh. "It's a big tear. I can't believe she lasted as long as she did."
When the syringe was full, he slowly withdrew it, applying pressure to the tiny insertion site.
"IC epi now, push that volume and follow it with bicarb. Get ready to cardioconvert."
"Her heart can beat now?" Johnny asked him.
"Hopefully, if it doesn't refill too fast. But we have to get it going again."
Roy was already back to compressions, watching the monitor closely.
They did a round of meds, and there was a long pause before anything was seen on the screen.
"Vfib!" Johnny called out.
Morton leaned in and applied the pedals to her chest. "Clear!"
No response. They continued and repeated the meds.
On the next cardio conversion, she had a heartbeat again.
"Let's get her moved now," Brackett said, clearly unhappy with how long it had taken.
"Go with her; I'll meet you there," Johnny told Roy, knowing his partner would take this loss hard.
In minutes, they were in the air and on the way to Rampart.
Roy continued the ventilations as the doctors managed the medications. Her color was poor despite oxygen, and her pressure was so low they could barely get a reading. There was no discussion, just steady work trying to keep her stable. Before Rampart was in sight, she was in full arrest again and not responding. Brackett threw everything at her that he had in the drug box, and only then did she come back again. Early and Dixie met them at the helipad, here where the rain had finally stopped. The mood was sober and without fanfare as they all moved quickly to the elevator and down to the ER. Roy stood at the head of her bed and watched them work. With her sterilely draped, a tube was inserted to allow the blood to drain.
"Will this work?" Roy asked Early.
"It will give her a chance," he said, patting Roy's shoulder. "Let's get some coffee."
Roy hesitated.
"She's headed to surgery to repair the tear."
"And her chances?"
"If she makes it through the night, she has a chance."
Roy didn't feel encouraged.
"Does she have any family?"
Suddenly, Roy realized he hadn't talked to her about family. "I don't know. I don't think she had any ID on her from the accident."
"Okay, let me know when we have some ID on her. We need to contact them as soon as possible."
Roy sat Inside the lounge while Early got them both some coffee before joining him.
"Sounds like it was pretty rough out there tonight."
"The weather was terrible."
"And she didn't present with any injuries?"
Roy shook his head. "Johnny and I both examined her twice." He felt like he was being doubted again.
Had he missed up? How did he miss something so critical?
"I'm not questioning your ability, Roy. The presentation for tamponade can be complicated or not show until they are critical."
"She was fine, and then she wasn't doc."
Joe could hear the distress in Roy's tone. "Sometimes, that's how it is. You and Johnny got her here; that's all that matters."
"Not if she doesn't make it."
Dixie popped her head in the door. "The second patient's ETA is forty- five minutes."
Roy nodded. He was exhausted and knew Johnny felt the same way.
Joe got up. "I've got to get back to work. I'll keep you posted on her."
"Thanks, Doc."
Dixie stood beside him, reached down to take his arm, and asked him to stand up.
"What?"
"Shower and clean clothes while you wait for Johnny."
It sounded good, and he followed her to the doctor's lounge. She gently rubbed his arm. "Get cleaned up and take the couch when you're done. I'll let you know when Johnny gets here."
Nodding, Roy waited until she was gone and fished out some fresh scrubs from the shelves. With a towel in hand, he headed to the shower. The mud seemed to be on every inch of him, and he let the hot water nearly scour his skin. Too exhausted to linger for long, he was soon out and pulling on some fresh clothes. Towel-drying his hair, he tried to finger-comb it into some semblance of control. His mind couldn't stop running the last few hours through over and over. How did he miss this? Then he thought of the trek down the mountain road and Johnny's fall. He hit hard. He said he was fine, but then Johnny often underplayed his injuries. Roy would ensure the docs checked him out as soon as he was back. The last thing he remembered was sitting on the couch, then nothing until someone woke him up.
"Roy?"
He sat up. "Yeah, I'm up."
Johnny chuckled. "Have a nice nap while I'm out braving the dangerous elements?"
Roy looked up to see him standing there with his hands on his hips, covered in mud from head to toe.
"Looks like you're wearing the elements." Looking at his partner, his brow narrowed. "You, okay?"
Even Johnny couldn't muster false bravado this far into the chaotic shift. "Beat, but I'm okay."
"Go grab a shower. Cap has us 10-8 for now. I'll get you some coffee."
Johnny nodded and headed to the locker room. Dixie returned to the lounge and passed Roy some coffee. She surveyed the exhausted medic.
"Must have been quite a night."
"Been quite a shift."
She knew that tone of deep bone weariness. "Anyone get hurt?"
He knew she was referring to him and his partner. "Johnny fell on the way out and needs to get checked. Of course, he'll deny everything."
"Uh, huh. We've all heard that one before. I'll make sure he gets to an exam room."
"Thanks, Dixie."
"Only one room?" Of all the medics that filtered through her ER on a yearly basis, these two were near and dear to her heart. They'd been through a lot together over the years.
He smiled through the fatigue. "I'm fine."
"Okay." She patted his leg. "See me before you leave. I should have an update on your patient."
He nodded. "Thanks, Dix."
It wasn't long before Johnny emerged from the shower, displaying the same look of relief that Roy must have also felt.
"Better?" Roy asked him with a smirk.
Johnny grinned. "Never thought a shower could feel that good." He walked over to the counter and poured a fresh cup of coffee. "Hey, any word yet on Cindy?"
"Not yet. Dixie told us to stop by before leaving, and she might have an update." Roy watched his partner and best friend move around the room. "You're okay?"
This time, Johnny's smile was more relaxed. "Yeah, man, I'm good. I'm sure I'll feel the bruises tomorrow after a shift like today."
Standing up, Roy groaned as his knees stretched. "Two more hours, and we're done."
Johnny chuckled. "Okay, old man. Let's get back to the station."
Stopping by the ER desk, Dixie looked both her boys up and down. "You two clean up nice."
Johnny smirked. "Always do, Dix."
Roy just shook his head. "Any word?"
She nodded. "She's out of surgery and in the ICU. She's not regained consciousness yet, but it sounds like she's been through a lot."
"No more bleeding?" Johnny asked.
Dixie smiled. "No more bleeding. You two did good work out there."
"They sure did," Brackett said as he approached the desk.
"She going to get through this doc?" Johnny asked with concern.
"The odds are in her favor. We just have to give her some time to recover."
Both medics nodded.
"We better get back. Shift's not over yet," Johnny told Roy.
"Hold on, one more patient to examine," Dixie stopped them.
Johnny looked at Roy with concerned eyes. However, they met with 'sorry' eyes. His protest was immediate. "I'm fine, Dixie, really."
Brackett crossed his arms and cocked his head. With his head dropped, he went to the exam room. Knowing Johnny's propensity for injury, Brackett checked all the bumps and bruises, though no concerning injury was found.
"That's gonna be ugly tomorrow," he grumbled. "Of all weekends."
"Big plans for tomorrow?" Dixie asked him as he put his shirt back on.
A grin from ear to ear emerged. "The best, Dix. A whole weekend at a beach house with an amazing and beautiful girl."
She looked over to Roy, shaking her head. "Is this supervised?"
Roy shook his head. "Not by me."
"Supervised. I can behave myself, Dixie," he smirked at her.
"This is all him," Roy added.
"Well, I wouldn't mind a weekend at the beach," Kel said. "I do have the whole weekend off too." He looked over to her, "Dix?"
She raised her brow. "Well, it happens. I do have plans. Maybe not on the beach, but plans."
Kel smiled. "Do tell."
Johnny and Roy waited patiently. What does the great Dixie McCall do on her weekends off?
She glanced around at the room full of curious men, walked to the door, and opened it. "A lady has to have some secrets."
Once cleared, they went down the hall to the squad as Roy returned them to service. The radio responded immediately.
SQUAD 51, ACCIDENT AT 45TH AND LANGLEY, ENGINE 51 ON SCENE.
Roy let out a sigh before replying. "45th and Langley, 10-4, squad 51."
They started running.
Pulling onto the scene, both men quickly assessed the situation. This part of town had hilly, curvy roads that navigated around city parks and upscale neighborhoods. Hills meant flowing water, and once again, they were looking at two cars sitting precariously close to the downhill edge of the road.
Parking behind the engine, both men went straight to their Captain.
"Cap?" Roy asked.
Hank nodded with relief. "Blue car is secure, two injured, we've not moved them. Green car," he pointed in the other direction, "has one victim unconscious, but Chet and Marco are still trying to keep the car from sliding further down the embankment.
Roy nodded. "Johnny, blue, call if you need me."
He nodded and ran towards the vehicle closest to him while Roy headed towards the other car. The intermittent rain had let up slightly, not flooding downpour for the moment. Mike was with the couple in the blue car, talking easily with them and keeping them calm. The look of relief as Johnny approached would have been laughable if the situation had allowed.
"Mike, what've we got?"
"Husband is complaining of severe neck and back pain. I put a cervical collar on him, but we didn't want to move him until you guys were here."
Johnny nodded in agreement.
"Wife, she seems okay. Banged up, has a laceration on her scalp that will probably need stitches. Both are coherent and report never losing consciousness."
Johnny smiled at him. "Thanks, Mike. Let's get the backboard and get him out of here."
Hank came up behind him. "Ambulances are on the way. Need any help?"
"Not right now, Cap. Just need to assess them and get him secured."
With a nod, Hank moved away from the car and was back on the radio with dispatch.
Leaning into the window, Johnny gave them a kind smile. "I'm Johnny Gage. I'm a paramedic, and we'll get you out of here and to the hospital."
"I'm Burt Mosely, and this is my sweetheart, Eloise. It sure does hurt to move, young man," the older man replied. The couple appeared to be in their seventies.
"We're going to be as careful as possible, Mr. Mosely."
"Please take care of my Eloise first. Make sure she's okay." The elderly man's voice was shaking.
"I'm going to take care of you both, don't worry. I'll get some vital signs first, then see what your injuries might be, okay?"
The older man nodded.
"Mike, can you get a set of vitals on her for me?"
"Sure, Johnny."
As vital signs were obtained, Johnny visually assessed the couple. The husband has a bruise on his forehead, with marked tenderness to his neck and back. The wife was breathing a little fast, and her heart rate increased a bit, but she appeared to have no broken bones. With the help of Mike and Hank, both patients were secured, then moved out of the car and placed in the waiting ambulances. There, Johnny could start IV fluids, update Rampart, and keep the couple as dry as possible in the storm.
When the loud bang happened near the engine, everyone flinched and immediately tried to figure out what had happened.
"JOHNNY!"
The screaming of his name made his heart skip a beat, and he hit the ground running. On the other side of the engine, it wasn't hard to miss what had occurred. Everyone was running to the green car. The car Roy had been helping with. The car that was now gone from the road. As he got closer to the edge of the road, he could now see it resting on its side, propped up against a large tree. It wasn't far down at all. Nothing like the earlier rescue on the side of a cliff. This was maybe fifteen feet at most, now propped against a tree with a large wooden swing set sitting on top of it.
However, it wasn't the car position or the swing set that was first on his mind. It was something much more important.
"ROY!"
They could see Marco and Chet over to the side of the car, now inching their way back to the unsteady vehicle. But he couldn't see Roy.
"Chet?!" Johnny called out.
"I don't see him yet. Hold on," the lineman called back as he continued to approach the car.
Mike was already beside him with harnesses and ropes. Johnny quickly slid into one and began the descent down. His heart was racing, and he struggled to keep the picture of Roy under the car out of his mind.
"WAIT!" Chet called out before Johnny could touch the car. "We've got to secure this, Cap."
"Chet?!" Johnny called out, knowing that Chet could hear him. "Roy?!"
"I'm okay," the voice replied. "I'm okay."
"Where are you?"
"Inside the car, backseat," Roy replied.
Johnny assessed the voice; it seemed strong, not struggling, and he allowed some relief to calm his heart. The wait for the car to be secured seemed like forever, but soon, Johnny was at the car's bottom. Though it rested on its side, the slope was enough to allow Johnny to climb up and reach the doors.
Inside the back, Roy looked relieved. "Thanks, partner."
"You, okay?"
"Yeah. I was trying to secure her when something hit us and pushed us over the side."
Johnny just shook his head. "A play set from up the hill." He looked over to the front seat, seeing the young woman slumped against the door and window. There was no movement from her.
"She still has a pulse," Roy updated him.
Johnny nodded. Turning around, he called to the top to get the equipment needed to rescue the girl. The heavy wooden beam pressed against the front passenger door made opening it impossible. All he could do was pass supplies down to Roy and wait until they could climb out. Once everyone was on the road once more, all patients were safely moved to the ambulances. Close eyes were on Roy, who just kept reassuring them that he was unharmed in the debacle.
"Get him checked out," Hank told Johnny. After glancing at his watch, he added. "End of shift. Get back to the station as soon as you can. We need this shift to end as soon as possible."
Johnny nodded as he watched Roy climb into the ambulance with the girl. In his own ride with the husband, he kept busy as the elderly man was a happy talker, especially after a dose of Morphine. Soon, they were unloading at Rampart.
Dixie looked at them both and shook her head. "Didn't I just clean you two up?"
Johnny had to laugh. "You know us, Dixie. We're not very good listeners."
She kept her eyes on Roy. "Room four."
"I'm okay," he reiterated.
"Cap says you can't return until you're checked out."
Roy groaned but complied.
He sat quietly through the vital signs and Dixie's worried glaze.
"I hear you tried to take on a playground?" Brackett asked, confused.
"Not the playground, just the car that it hit," Roy replied. "I'm fine."
Johnny was sitting on a stool near the bed. "The playground and the car being pushed off the road downhill into a tree."
Brackett raised his brow. "Dix?"
"BP 120 over 68, pulse is 72, respirations 12."
"Any pain anywhere?"
Roy shook his head. "I didn't hit anything. I was in the car, and it was just pushed."
After an exam, Brackett felt confident the medic was telling the truth. "Sounds like you were lucky."
Roy buttoned his shirt back up. "Not lucky, just in the right place at the right time. Five minutes earlier, I'd been outside the car, then probably between it and the tree."
Johnny was not amused. "So, he's okay?"
The doctor nodded as he passed the chart to Dixie. "No worse for the wear."
"Shift finally over?" Dixie asked them.
"Thank the Gods," Johnny replied. "I'm ready for a fifteen-hour nap."
Roy smiled. He could picture Johnny doing no such thing, instead heading to the beach or mountains for the weekend. "I can go?"
"Yes, you're cleared. Don't come back anytime soon."
"Always the goal, doc."
Dixie tsk'd them. "You know I like when you come to visit, but these twenty-four hours, you've worn out the welcome mat."
Johnny laughed and tapped his chest. "I'm going to leave town."
Roy just smiled. "I have a very boring weekend. Trust us. We've seen enough mud and rain to last a lifetime."
In the squad, Roy pulled out into the street as he glanced up at the clearing sky. "Sunshine today."
Johnny grinned like a kid. "Perfect!"
"Don't forget your fifteen-hour nap"
This time, he laughed. "I wish. I'm tired enough for it. But heading straight to the beach." Smiling, he leaned against the door. "You know, after a shift like this, you could use a little beach time yourself."
"I have plans, but you enjoy your weekend."
Johnny sat straight up. "Beach house, Roy."
That elicited a shake of the head. "Plans, Junior."
After a brief review of shift war stories, the men were officially off duty and couldn't get to their vehicles fast enough. Chet was the first to hit the main road, with Marco a close second. Mike lingered a bit longer but still managed to be third gone, with Hank right behind him. Saying goodbye to each other, Roy headed in one direction, with Johnny in the other. They officially had three days off, and it was well earned after this shift.
Once home, Roy called his sisters-in-law to check in with Joanne about the weekend plans. Chris's game had been rescheduled due to damage to the field from the storm, and the kids were enjoying their cousins.
"Just stay up there for another day or two," he told her. "No reason to rush back. I've got my to-do list and will keep busy." No, he had to clarify that Johnny had made other plans, and no, he wouldn't be lonely. A quiet, undisturbed weekend working at home didn't come around often. After fixing a quick breakfast, he sat at the table with coffee to make his shopping list.
Johnny rushed into his apartment and packed a bag, shaved quickly, and, with keys in hand, was off for his weekend. The destination wasn't far away, and he could finally enjoy the ride with clear skies as if the previous day hadn't happened. It gave him time to reflect on all they had done, how many calls, how many lives were saved, and how many times they put their lives at risk. It was part of the job and something he would do repeatedly. Still, it was sobering to look back at what could have been.
Damn it, I should have called Roy before I left. No, Roy didn't need to be checked on. He'd passed Brackett's exam, and the father had a lot of things planned for the weekend. Garage cleaning, building a back deck... Chris's game. His heart sank. He'd promised not only Roy but Chris to be there. And he'd blown them off for a girl. He had to admit that Roy hadn't said a word, not even tried to make him feel guilty. He chuckled, knowing his brother was going to savor the peace and quietly while he had it. The beach weekend was like a gift from his brother. At least, he hoped it was like that. Still, part of him felt terrible. Putting the weekend in front of him, he drove along the ocean looking for the correct address and left his worries behind.
With weekend plans reviewed and a shopping list in hand, Roy decided to get supplies first. One trip out, and he could spend the rest of the weekend working at home. The first stop was a local houseware store. Jo wanted him to organize the chaos of the garage. Wandering up the aisles, he gathered various items to organize tools and containers for storing old toys and unused items. His next stop was at the local garden farm supply store. He grabbed some plants, potty soil, gardening pots, and a handful of sturdy plant poles with wiring. Joanne felt the need to grow food this summer. Although he didn't have any farming bones in him, he would support her efforts.
His last stop was the hardware store. Ordering the lumber to be delivered for the back deck, he completed his shopping with nails, metal brackets, and three cans of wood sealant. With his small car fully loaded, he decided that fixing lunch didn't sound appealing, so he drove down the coastal highway a bit to his favorite little roadside cafe. It was a little out of the way, but the ocean-view drive was beautiful and relaxing.
Pete's Corner was a little shack of a building, not much to look at, but a staple along this road for good food at any hour of the day. Parking in the busy lot, he entered and found an open stool at the counter.
"Roy," the grey-headed waitress greeted him. "Not seen you in a blue moon." She passed him a menu.
"Thanks, Rose. It's been a while. What's the special today?"
"Well, that would be meatloaf or fried chicken," she smiled back at him.
"Meatloaf it is." With his order placed, he stood up and stretched, feeling the worsening aching in his shift-tested muscles.
"Long shift?"
He nodded. "Very."
She poured him some coffee and patted his hand, knowing what he did for a job. "It was really bad out last night. Did you have to go out in it?"
Sitting back down, he nodded. "It was a busy night. Mother Nature was putting everyone to the test."
Laughing softly, "This ole grandmother stayed home."
"Best place to be. How's Jack doing?"
"Oh, his usual cranky self," she grinned. "But he's taking me to Vegas for our fiftieth."
He couldn't help but grin. "Vegas, huh? Sounds a little wild, Rose."
She blushed. "You know it. Let me check on that meatloaf for you, hon."
Letting out a deep breath, Roy felt the exhaustion setting in. So, today might not be the day to start on the back deck. Sleep first, then construction.
With his lunch served, he finished up and paid the bill, saying goodbye to his friend. "Night, Rose."
"Night, hon. Drive safe."
He hit the road back home with a full belly and looked up at the clear blue sky. What a contrast to the previous twenty-four hours. This was the California he knew and loved; warm air, clear skies, and the ocean hitting the rocks down below.
It started high above him, the ground oversaturated and weakened, leading to failure and collapse. He never heard it, nor saw it. Suddenly, he was moving and not in the direction he had been driving. Spinning with no control, his fingers clutched the steering wheel, unable to correct the chaos and not even knowing where the road was anymore. Then, an impact so forceful it shoved his head against the driver's window.
He was falling.
Then darkness.