2B or not 2B.....That is the Question

By

Jane Royce

The hallway was so dark that neither Johnny nor Roy could clearly see. Both felt extra jolts of adrenaline when they had rescues like this, there were so many unknowns ahead of them and their senses were heightened. This is the stuff of good rescue personnel, and Johnny and Roy were good at what they did.

"Oh man Roy, it's so dark in here, the only way we are going to find our victim is to trip over him!" Johnny announced

"I know Johnny, just be careful and remember to landmark the doors with the chalk so we don't go in circles." Roy instructed.

Johnny reached back to grasp Roy's shoulder as a gesture of understanding rather than raise his airmask up to talk again. The air was thick and even a small breath made Johnny's throat burn.

The pair continued in silence, both listening intently for sounds from the victim or for sounds that the structure was too unstable.

After just a few short moments, the pair stopped to discuss their approach.

"Johnny, this is going too slowly. We have more area to cover and will do it best if we split up."

"I'm with you pal, but with smoke this thick, we should not split up. The Captain will have out butts for this."

"I know, but until we get more help up here, we have to hasten the search. I'll take this hallway, you take this one. Just go as far as the end of the hall and double straight back. I will meet you back here, then we can do two more hallways. Okay?" Roy asked.

"OK partner, lets do it!" Johnny enthused.

The pair went in opposite directions of each other, each minding the rule of chalking a large "X" on each door that led to a checked and deemed clear unit.

Roy had found six apartments free and clear of people and was hopeful that the occupants had managed to flee to safety before the building became too involved in flames. He hoped that all of the apartments in this hallway would yield the same results. He hated high rise apartment complexes as a target of fire, they were difficult to gain control of and needless loss of life almost always occurred.

Johnny had also enjoyed some success in his hallway, of finding no victims of fire present. The last door of the hallway revealed a clear unit as well, so he quickly marked the door and hurried to meet Roy.

The two met at the area agreed upon and Roy fingered the handie talkie to reach their Captain.

"Engine 51 this is HT 51, do you read?" Roy asked.

"We read you loud and clear HT 51, what is your status?" Stated the disembodied voice of Captain Stanley.

"Captain, Johnny and I have two more hallways of apartments to clear and then we will begin to search another floor. We will need new tanks soon and more manpower up here for the search."

"Roy, help is on its way. Two squads are reporting their ETA's at 5 minutes each. I can have Chet deliver two tanks to you, we have manpower down here. The fire is stable, but you need to get outta there soon, we need to ventilate."

"10-4 Cap."

Roy turned to Johnny, they both understood that they had to continue.

"Okay Roy, I'll take this hallway, you take that one and we'll meet here again." Shouted Johnny, his voice getting hoarse from the thick smoke that assaulted his throat each time he lifted his mask.

The pair split up again and began the search process. Each worked as quickly as possible, feeling the heat in the building rise. Johnny was able to quickly get through his hallway and was rewarded with a clean sweep of all apartments. He headed toward the meeting point in hopes that Roy had found the same and was dismayed to see that Roy was not at the check point. He took a moment to think about which of the four hallways Roy had gone down and headed in the direction of the one he thought was correct. He immediately located a series of large "X" marks on the doors of three apartments, and decided to turn around to get back to the main hallway again. Once there, he removed his mask and shouted as loudly as he could for Roy.

"Roy!" He shouted.

No answer.

"Roy!!" he shouted again.

This time he was rewarded with a faint sounding muffled cry for help.

Johnny let his senses take over and lead him to the sound of his partner. While not being able to see much in front of him, he has a strong sense of the direction of Roys voice. His senses did not let him down, he soon found himself in front of an open door of an apartment. He felt his way in along the walls and called out Roys name once again.

"Roy, what have you got?" Johnny questioned.

"I have an elderly man here Johnny, he was in his bed. He is unconscious and his breathing is labored. No signs of trauma or head injury, it looks like he was asleep when the fire started. Lets get him out of here fast, he needs O2 now!" Instructed Roy as he hoisted the elderly man up onto his shoulder with Johnny's help.

Just as the trio were making their way to the apartment door, the ceiling in the hallway gave way with a thunderous crash. Quickly, Johnny slammed the apartment door to protect themselves from debris while Roy and his patient made their way deeper into the apartment for protection.

"Oh man, I don't believe this! We were so close!" Rasped Johnny.

"Engine 51, this is HT 51, do you read?" Roy spoke into the handie talkie.

Static greeted the weary paramedics.

"Engine 51, this is HT 51, do you read?" Roy asked again.

"HT 51, we read you, what the hell happened Roy?" Captain Stanley asked.

"Captain, the ceiling in the hallway collapsed. We were leaving an apartment with a victim when it happened. The victim was not injured and Johnny and I are both fine. We need assistance up here now, we are running out of air ourselves and the victim is unconscious." Roy explained.

"10-4 Roy, which apartment number are you in?"

Roy looked at Johnny, hoping that his partner took note of the apartment number when he entered.

"Don't look at me Roy, I can barely make you out in front of me. I'll go see if I can read the number on the door." Johnny rasped.

With that, Johnny lumbered toward the closed door of the apartment and removed one glove to feel the door for heat. He was pleased to note that there was no excessive heat, but the door certainly was warm. He was able to pry the door open a small bit, but had to stop due to the sheer volume of debris that threatened to tumble into the apartment. Johnny said a quick and quiet prayer that the apartment door opened inward instead of outward. He did his best to glance at the side of the door, where he expected the number to be. The number was missing. He considered that the debris may have knocked it off and tried to look on the ground for it but could see nothing but dark smoke and broken wood. Johnny closed the door and retreated back toward Roy.

"Roy, the number is missing, the debris must have knocked it off when the ceiling collapsed. I can't see anything through this smoke. We are on the second floor but I have no idea which apartment it is."

"Great, well the guys shouldn't have too much trouble finding us, unless there are other areas of the ceiling on this floor which collapsed also." Roy thought aloud.

"There must be some mail around here with the address on it." Stated Johnny as he rose to look on the table in the kitchen of the victim.

"Great idea Johnny!" Roy enthused.

"I found something Roy, this letter is made out to Jack Wilson at this address in apartment 2B, this must be where we are!"

"Engine 51, this is HT 51, do you read?" Roy asked.

"HT 51, we read you." Captain Stanley stated.

"Engine 51, we have our location for you. We are in apartment 2B, two-bravo." Roy instructed.

"HT 51, 10-4, help is on the way. Sit tight Roy."

"Engine 51, 10-4" Roy stated.

"Well Johnny, we wait. Help me loosen Jack's clothing and get him on his side. I just have three minutes of air left, how about you?" Roy asked.

"I have two minutes Roy, the guys better get here soon. None of us have much time if we don't get out of here soon."

Carefully, Johnny and Roy loosened their victim's clothes while Roy surrendered his airmask for the sake of the victim. He was pleased to see that after a few moments of fresh air, their victims breathing improved. Roy hastily noted his respiration and pulse rates and was encouraged by his findings. Nodding at Johnny, he placed his airmask back on his face to allow some fresh air into his own aching lungs. Johnny in turn removed his mask and placed it on the victims face for a few moments.

Time seemed to pass quickly and slowly all at the same time as the paramedics approached the last few moments of air available in their tanks. Johnny's tank was the first to alert the men that his was empty. With a sigh of frustration, Johnny threw the mask aside and cursed.

"Where are they Roy, we need to get this guy out now, and we won't last long in this smoke!" rasped Johnny angrily.

"Johnny, take some of my air, the guys must be close by now I hope!"

"Engine 51, this is HT 51, do you read?" Roy asked.

"HT 51, we read you." Captain Stanley stated.

"Captain, Johnny's tank alarm has gone off, he's out of oxygen and mine will follow in a few moments, do we have an ETA?"

"Roy, Brice and Bellingham are on the second floor and have your location in sight. The debris is thick and equipment is on the way. We hope to have you out soon pal, hang in there. What is the status of your victim?"

"Our victim is stable Cap, he has responded and improved with the air from our masks, but we are almost out" Roy informed his captain.

The next sound was one both men dreaded to hear and the captain heard it over the radio. It was the deafening sound of Roy's tank alarm. It was empty.

"Roy, hang in there pal, we're on the way" the captain interrupted.

"HT 51 out" Roy resigned.

Roy and Johnny locked eyes. They knew that the thick smoke would claim them soon without help. They lay on the floor where the air was marginally clearer and prayed that help would arrive soon.

~~~~~~~~~~

Brice and Bellingham had arrived upon the scene just a few short minutes ago, and were dismayed to learn that Johnny and Roy were trapped inside the building. Quickly, they donned their gear and entered the building, being guided by the news of Roy's call to Captain Stanley about their apartment location.

"Come on Brice, we have to get in there fast" encouraged Bellingham.

"It's best to arrive safe, there is no merit to us being injured in our search, that won't do Gage or DeSoto and good at all" Brice calmly countered.

Together the two mounted the stairs and labored with the weight of extra oxygen tanks and paramedic equipment. After the heavy climb, both were pleased to open the stairwell door leading into the common lobby of the second floor of the building.

"Look for debris, Roy indicated that there had been a significant amount of falling debris directly outside the apartment door where they are located." Brice stated.

"There it is, this must be where they are!" Shouted Bellingham as he quickly made his way to the area where the debris was gathered.

"Wait! Slow down, lets contact the Captain and let him know." Brice instructed.

Brice lost the opportunity to make first contact, as the HT in his pocket crackled to life.

"HT this is engine 51, what have you found?" Asked a worried sounding Captain Stanley.

"Captain, we have just located the debris. We will need help here." Brice responded.

"10-4, we are sending up three men now."

"10-4"

Brice and Bellingham set to the task of removing some of the debris, and began to call out to Johnny and Roy to let them know that help was on the way.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Roy, it hurts to breathe, we gotta get outta here now!"

"I know Johnny, slow your breathing down and conserve your energy. Captain said there'd be help on the way soon. I am sure it's a matter of time now." Roy coughed.

Inwardly, Roy worried about their situation more than he wanted to let on. Something felt wrong, but Roy could not put his finger on what it was.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Over here!" Bellingham shouted to the three firemen who arrived to lend a hand, he felt that they had found the apartment which housed Johnny, Roy and their victim and wanted to get into the unit as quickly as possible.

In silence, all men worked quickly to uncover the entrance to the apartment to the apartment. Bellingham was pleased with the progress but felt a pang of panic knowing that his brothers may be completely out of oxygen at that moment.

"ROY! JOHNNY!" shouted Bellingham as he lifted his airmask to be better heard.

Bellingham was greeted with no answer.

"Hurry up guys, we have to get them outta there!" Bellingham shouted.

The rest of the men did not have to be told to work quickly, they all were aware of the time that had elapsed between the last transmission from the Captain and Roy. The guys were in trouble and they all knew it.

After what felt like an eternity, but really was just a few short minutes, progress had been made and the door was completely uncovered. What the men all saw shook them to their foundations. The number door was not 2B, it was 2D! The numbers were missing but the paint of the door where the numbers clearly were before was a different shade.

"Captain, we have a problem. We have cleared debris from the apartment door and it is apartment 2D, not 2B. Are you certain of the apartment number Roy indicated he was in?" Brice inquired.

"10-4, HT 51 did say it was apartment 2B two-bravo" The disembodied voice of Captain Stanley returned. "Investigate that apartment regardless." Captain Stanley further instructed.

With a common groan, the men renewed their energy to complete the task of removing some more debris, all concerned about the fate of their comrades.

~~~~~~~~~~

Roy thought he heard someone off in the distance calling his name, but he could not be sure. He was dreaming of his family, his backyard on a warm sunny day, is wife, his children.

Johnny was not in a state of dreaming, he was struggling for each breath and their victim was struggling as well.

~~~~~~~~~~

"OK, pry that door opened" Shouted Bellingham to the holder of the prybar, Marco Lopez.

All five men grabbed the bar and shared the task of opening the door, all wanted in just as badly as the other but no one wanted to be the first to discover their friends had been injured.

The door popped open with ease, and the men were rewarded with the sight of a fireman's boot deep into the apartment. All took note of the fact that the boot was not moving however.

"Johnny, Roy!" Shouted Bellingham. "They are over here!"

All of the men quickly ran to the victims and allowed Brice and Bellingham to quickly check them all over.

"What have you got Brice?" asked Bellingham as he quickly assessed Roy for trauma and was pleased to find none. What he did find, he did not like. Roy had clearly been without oxygen for an undetermined period of time and was struggling to breathe. Bellingham quickly removed one of the spare tanks and masks that he brought up with him and applied the mask to Roy's face. The flow of oxygen had worked to clear some of the gray shade from Roy's complexion, it was working.

Brice was deep in his assessment of Johnny and their victim to be able to respond to Bellingham. The victim was in good shape, no signs of trauma, but he was suffering from smoke inhalation and was unconscious. Due to his age, he was at risk for cardiac failure, he had to be removed quickly. He gestured to Marco to help this victim out of the building.

"Lopez, get this victim out and started on 6 litres of oxygen right away." Instructed Brice as he turned to tend to Johnny.

Marco merely nodded, scooped the elderly gentleman onto his shoulder and began the trek out of the building, a look of concern for his friends clearly written on his face.

Johnny was suffering from smoke inhalation as well with no apparent trauma or injury, and was clearly struggling for breath. Brice removed his spare tank and mask and gently placed the mask on Johnny's face. Both men needed to get outside and to Rampart.

"Lets get them out of here!" shouted Bellingham as he hoisted Roy onto his shoulder.

"Agreed" nodded Brice as he shouldered Johnny.

~~~~~~~~~~

All men made their way downstairs and out of the building with the help of Chet leading the way and clearing small debris that posed a threat to the men on their descent.

Captain Stanley greeted the men as they left the building and was dismayed to see his crew injured. His focus had to remain on the management of the crews and this dwindling fire however, so he left his crew in the skilled hands of Brice and Bellingham.

"What have you got?" asked Brice of Bellingham, who had stripped Roy of his shirt and coat and had applied a cardiac monitor.

"He's in sinus tach. His BP is 120/90, his pulse is 90, his respiration's are 12." Bellingham recited.

"Their victim is struggling, he has rales and crepitus at the bases of his lungs, he is in sinus tach as well. His respiration's are 16 with in-drawing, his blood pressure is 140/100" Noted Brice

"Gage is in worse shape. His respiration's are only 8, his blood pressure is 90/60." Stated Brice clinically. "Connect to Rampart and get those ambulance attendants here so we can move out quickly."

Bellingham motioned to the ambulance attendants while Brice further assessed Johnny.

"Rampart this is squad 10, how do you read?" Bellingham waited.

"Squad 10, this is Rampart base, we read you loud and clear." Stated the disembodied voice of Dr. Brackett.

"Rampart we have three victims of smoke inhalation, two code-I and one civilian" Bellingham instructed.

Dr. Brackett quickly regrouped, he hated it when one of the service men were injured because he knew that it was likely due to their heroic effort to save a life in the field.

"10-4 squad 10" Dr. Brackett responded.

"Rampart, on victim one, there is evidence of smoke inhalation, no burns or signs of trauma. He is on a cardiac monitor and in sinus tach. His BP is 120/90, his pulse is 90, his respiration's are 12. Please note victim one is Roy DeSoto. Please stand by for EKG, this will be lead two"

Bellingham continued.

"Rampart, victim two appears to be a male of 75 years, he is struggling to breathe, he has rales and crepitus at the bases of his lungs, he is in sinus tach as well. His respiration's are 16 with in-drawing, his blood pressure is 140/100. There are no apparent signs of trauma or injury."

"Rampart, victim three is John Gage his respiration's are only 8, his blood pressure is 90/60. He is cyanotic and not responding to painful stimuli. His pupils are equal and reactive, yet sluggish. There are no apparent signs of trauma or injury."

"Squad 10, put all victims on 6 litres of oxygen, begin IV's with D5W TKO and transport immediately. Please appraise me of vitals for victim three every ten minutes. What is your ETA?" Dr. Brackett asked.

"ETA is 25 minutes Rampart." Bellingham instructed.

"10-4 squad 10, are you able to transport immediately?"

"10-4 Rampart, the ambulances are on scene."

With that, all three men were loaded into two ambulances, Roy and Johnny shared one ambulance with Bellingham and their victim with Brice in another.

~~~~~~~~~~

Brice's charge was stable and his condition remained stable and improving en route to Rampart They made good time to the hospital and were greeted by Dr. Morton upon their arrival. Brice noted that Bellingham and his patients had not arrived yet and were not entering the hospital ambulance bay as yet, but he remained focussed on his patient to report to Dr. Morton.

"Dr. Morton, the patient remained stable en route, there were no changes in vital signs and his lungs sound clear. His EKG is satisfactory."

"Thanks Brice, lets get him to treatment room one and take a closer look" Dr. Morton instructed.

With a nod, the two men made their way to treatment room number one, where they were met by Sandra a new Emergency room nurse.

"Sandra, lets get a full blood series, chest films and skull films as well" began Dr. Morton.

"He doesn't seem to have any signs of injury, so lets leave it at that. Lets keep him on oxygen though and hopefully, he will come around soon"

"If there isn't anything else you need doctor?" began Brice.

"No, thank you Brice, we'll take it from here. Great work out there." Stated Dr. Morton.

Brice left his patient in the capable hands of Dr. Morton and went to find his partner.

~~~~~~~~~~

The ride to Rampart was a smooth one for Bellingham, until the ambulance was ten minutes out. Then, suddenly, time was no longer their friend.

"Dammit Johnny, not now, not right now!" shouted Bellingham as Gage suddenly went into respiratory arrest.

"Rampart, this is squad 10 en route to your location, do you read me?"

"Squad 10, loud and clear" replied Dr. Brackett, anticipating an update of Johnny's vital signs.

"Rampart victim 3 has gone into respiratory arrest, I am preparing to intubate"

"10-4 squad 10, send me an EKG"

"10-4 Rampart, will send strip, it will be lead 2."

Bellingham swiftly inserted the E-tube into Johnny and he allowed himself a quick shudder at the knowledge that he just performed an invasive procedure on a friend and that this friend was crashing. Despite this, his professional demeanor quickly established connection to send the EKG to Rampart.

"Squad 10, is the victim intubated yet? I see evidence of tachycardia." Bracket asked.

"10-4 Rampart, patient is intubated and I have begun ventilation by bag now."

"10-4 squad 10, continue transport"

"10-4 Rampart we are three minutes out right now"

Bellingham settled on his knees beside Johnny and checked Roy out at that time. His vitals were strong and stable, but he was unconscious and oblivious to the difficulties his partner was having.

"Maybe it's a good thing that Roy doesn't know what's happening to Johnny right now" Bellingham whispered to himself. He just wanted the pair to be all right.

~~~~~~~~~~

A loud thump on the back of the ambulance startled Bellingham from his focus on the partners of squad 51, he turned to see Dr. Brackett and Dr. Early at the doors with two orderlies and a stretcher.

"How are they doing Bellingham" asked Dr. Brackett.

"No changes Doc, both are stable"

"Ok Joe, you take Roy into treatment room 2 and I'll take Johnny into treatment room 3" Brackett instructed.

With a nod, the men and their orderlies helped unload their patients. Roy was transferred to a stretcher on the squad's backboard.

~~~~~~~~~~

In treatment room 2, Joe Early had his work cut out for him. Roy was still unconscious, yet he was stable.

"Dix, lets do a full blood series with gases, chest x-ray and skull series."

"Ok Joe, anything else?" Dix asked.

"Not yet, lets see what these reveal and go from there." Asserted Dr. Early as he continued to check out Roy. He was inwardly pleased to see that Roy's pupils were equal and responsive to light. He hoped to rule out head injury on x-ray.

Joe Early left the room just as the x-ray technician entered.

~~~~~~~~~~

In treatment room 3 Dr. Brackett also had his work cut out for him, as Johnny did what he was famous for - giving the hospital staff a run for their money.

"Carol, I need a full blood series, gases, chest x-ray and skull series"

"Yes Dr. Brackett." Responded Carol as she quickly reached for the necessary supplies.

Dr. Brackett continued his examination of Johnny and was pleased to note that there were no signs of injury, this time. His pupil reaction to light was slow however and this concerned him greatly. He turned just as Dr. Early entered the room.

"Hey Joe, how is Roy?"

"He's stable but still unconscious. Tests just started so I thought I'd see how you were doing." Dr. Early began.

"Johnny has no signs of trauma or injury, which may be a first, but he's still out and went into respiratory arrest. I as just about to listen to his lungs." Dr. Brackett explained.

As anticipated, Dr. Brackett did hear some crepitus and rales in both of Johnny's lungs. He knew that Johnny's lungs were magnets for pneumonia and respiratory complication so he was not pleased by this observation in his patient.

"Well Joe, his lungs are congested. I am going to send him to the unit for observation, antibiotics and lasix to help reduce some of that edema, and see how he is in 24 hours."

"Carol, when you are finished, I want the results STAT. I want him transferred to ICU, and 24 hour urine output observation. I will b up shortly to begin lasix."

"Yes doctor." Replied Carol, concentrating on her patient and secretly wondering how much more a person's body could take.

"Lets go in and see Roy Joe."

The two doctors left Johnny in the capable hands of Carol and crossed the hall to see Roy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Roy's world began to swim and he felt the uncomfortable floating sensation usually associated with a deep sleep. His sleep was interrupted by a strong urge to cough and the feeling of many hands pushing against his chest.

"Uunh" Roy moaned as he fought to get control of his environment.

"Roy" a voice called to him.

"Roy, come on now, tell me how you feel" Dr. Early asked.

"Uunh" Was the only answer Roy could offer at this time.

"Roy, you are at Rampart General Hospital in Emergency. You were in a fire and brought in with Johnny. You have no injuries but was without oxygen for some time. You are stable and I am waiting for the results of your x-rays and blood tests." Dr. Early informed Roy.

With the mention of his partners name, Roy's struggled against his gray a bit more. He needed to know more, he wanted to know more.

"Uunh, John, Johnny!" struggled Roy as he tried to sit up.

"Roy, Johnny is going to be all right, I was just in to see him and Dr. Brackett is taking good care of him. He is in good hands and is going up to ICU soon." Informed Dr. Early

"Wha, what's happening, he's not all right?" Roy struggled again.

"Roy, this is Dr. Brackett. Johnny is going to be fine. Hi lungs are congested from the smoke inhalation. He went into respiratory arrest en route but Bellingham was able to intubate quickly. His vitals are good, but he needs some assistance. I am going to begin lasix soon and keep him on the vent. Depending upon how he responds, he may be off the vent tomorrow and in a regular room."

"Oh ok doc, another close call" Roy whispered.

"Yes Roy, another close call. I don't know how you guys do it, but you got out of there and saved your victim too." Dr. Brackett replied.

"How is the victim?" Roy asked.

Dr. Morton worked on him and he is stable. He was starting to come around when I came in to see you. He has smoke inhalation but is responding to oxygen. He is in great shape for his age and this may have saved him.

"Oh ok doc, this is good news"

~~~~~~~~~~

Brice was inwardly pleased to see his partner at the hospital, safe and sound. He fingered the handie talkie and indicated to dispatch that they were available for further runs if needed.

Bellingham felt like he had been kicked in the stomach and wanted to rest for a few moments when he noticed his partner made their status available.

'I wish he'd just give it a rest once in awhile' Bellingham thought to himself with a sigh.

"Bellingham, everything go according to the book?" Asked Brice as he regarded his haggard looking partner.

"No actually, Johnny crashed on me ten minutes out from Rampart and I had to intubate." Bellingham began.

"He is all right now but is going up to the unit soon. Roy's stable." Bellingham continued.

"I am glad to hear it, my victim is in good shape." Asserted Brice.

The two men were awarded a few moments of thought before their silence was interrupted by dispatch calling them away.

"Squad 10, man down in the parking garage with chest pain. Crossland Professional Building 111 Baker street, cross street Sydenham."

"10-4, squad 10 responding" replied Brice.

"Lets go partner" stated Bellingham.

~~~~~~~~~~

In ICU Johnny settled nicely. His chest x-rays did reveal some congestion but nothing that his lungs hadn't experienced before. He began to respond to the lasix nicely and the discussion was to challenge him off the ventilator in the morning.

Roy settled for the night in a regular room and was soon joined by Joanne and the kids. He was surprise to see his victim in the building right beside him.

The guys at station 51 all visited Roy in the evening when their shift ended and were pleased to see how well he looked.

"Roy, you look well. How are you feeling" asked Captain Stanley.

"I am fine Cap, just fine. Tired but fine." Roy answered.

"I am worried about Johnny though."

"Doctor Brackett says that Johnny is doing well in ICU and there is talk of getting him to a regular room tomorrow."Stated Captain Stanley.

"Oh really? That's good then, he must be responding well to treatment then, this is good news." Replied Roy, this news made him feel much better.

Beside him, his roommate and previous victim stirred in his sleep and coughed himself awake.

"Mr. Wilson, how are you feeling" asked Roy.

"Are you talking to me son?" Asked the tired elderly gentleman.

"Yes Mr. Wilson, I am one of the fireman who came to rescue you today in your apartment. You are fine now and at Rampart General Hospital."

"Oh son, thank you, but I am not Mr. Wilson"

"No? We found a letter in your apartment with your apartment number on it, this helped the rest of my team locate us and get us out." Roy stated, somewhat concerned that perhaps this gentleman had injuries as yet undiagnosed.

"Oh no, that wasn't my letter, that was for my neighbor. The postman dropped it into my mailbox by mistake, I was going to give it to Mr. Wilson later on. My name is Mr. Jacob Olson and I am in apartment 2D. Or at least, it used to be apartment 2D. I guess it isn't anymore."

"Sir, the building is in rough shape but the fire did not reach your apartment. Your belongings should be ok, but the building is not safe to live anymore." Informed Captain Stanley.

Your focus should be on getting better and there is help to get you situation when you leave.

"That's OK son, my sister in Santa Barbara has been pestering me to live with her, maybe this is the right time." Whispered Mr. Olson as he grew tired and weary from conversation.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next day brought Roy to Johnny's room in ICU, both had a good night and rested well. Johnny had improved enough to lose the ventilator early in the morning and his lungs sounded clearer. He was awaiting transfer to a regular room.

"Johnny" whispered Roy as he approached his partners bed in his wheelchair.

"Johnny, are you awake" asked Roy a bit louder this time.

"Uuhn, oh my head" whispered Johnny through the haze of sleepiness.

"Hi Johnny, it's Roy, you are going to be all right."

"Roy, how are you doing man? Brackett told me you were OK, so why are you in a wheelchair" asked Johnny as he peeled open an eyelid to regard his partner.

"Just a precaution, Dix made me do it" smiled Roy.

"Ah, I hear ya. How are you doing really though?"

"I am fine. Tired, but fine. You are going downstairs soon but not to my room. I already have a roommate. Our victim, who was not Mr. Wilson by the way, this gentleman had Mr. Wilson's mail!

"Oh wow, how weird!" Was all Johnny could say as the memories of the rescue flooded back into his mind.

"It's a miracle that we got out at all the way the ceiling was crumbing in the hallways." Whispered Johnny.

"It is. Mr. Olson is doing well. He is going to live with his sister when he gets out." Informed Roy to his partner who was clearly drifting off to sleep.

"Rest partner, we did well. All is well and we are all gonna be all right."

~~~~~~~~~~

Ten days later, both Roy and Johnny returned to work. Both happy to be back in the saddle again, having spent much of their time off together and anxious to get back into the routine again.

The End.