by Irene, Pat, Samesib, Twinkie, Katy, Sheryl, Alice, Cin, Kathy, KC, Sherry,

BobiPati, Backdraft, MJ, Robin, Gail, Alice F., Meris, and Jaime.

CHAPTER ONE:

It was Friday night, and John Gage drove Roy DeSoto off the parking lot of Station 51 after the end of their long 36-hour shift. There had been a stubborn fire at an office tower.
"Man, I hope that's the last time I have to fight a five-alarm blaze for a while," mused John, as he guided his Land Rover along a busy Los Angeles thoroughfare. "If I had stayed any longer in that thing, I would have been shoe steak fit for Henry." Roy was reading the entertainment section of the Los Angeles Times, deciding on which movie to take Joanne to. He could take her to the foreign ones that he liked, or he could take her to the action type that she liked. He was sort of in the mood for action, but with all the action he’d seen in the last 12 hours he wasn’t so sure.

"Johnny," he spoke up, "remember that movie I talked so much about lately."
"Oh, that one starring Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. I thought you weren’t into stuff like that." When Joanne and the kids had gone to visit her mother, Chet thought it would be a good idea to invite Roy to see the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Johnny joined them, watching with fascination as Roy turned pale, and threw up into Chet’s popcorn bucket. Roy couldn’t take the graphic mutilation on the screen.

"Maybe my idea of a movie is anything that's rated G, PG at the most," Roy said. "The Towering Inferno's rated PG, and Joanne wants to see it. She has a big crush on Paul Newman." Johnny turned onto Roy's street, and grinned.

"It must be the blue eyes. Besides," he continued, "who wants to see a movie about a high-rise fire?" He pulled into Roy’s driveway. "Weren’t we just there?" He said, throwing his Rover into park. "You know, they’d probably throw me out of the theater. I’d be yelling at the screen telling them what they were doing wrong!" Roy nodded at his partner and opened the door. "Not to change the subject any, but I hear that Paul makes one heck of a salad dressing. I’m thinking of trying it sometime." Roy sighed and rolled his eyes.

"What does salad dressing have to do with anything?" Roy waited for a reply. Johnny shrugged his shoulders, and put the Rover into gear. "You want to go with us?" Johnny grunted, shaking his head.

"High rise fires. We live it...who needs to see it in a movie?"

"Hey, it’s a night out with my wife. She doesn’t get to get out that often, and I want to do what she wants to do, not what I want to do." He stepped out onto the driveway and shut the door. He leaned back in the window. "You’re sure you don’t want to go?" Before Johnny could reply Roy quickly added, "Joanne’s friend Amy is going?" Johnny’s head stopped in mid shake.

"Isn't she that tall, pretty, redhead?"

"Um hum. It's not like she was expecting you or anything, so I don’t think she’ll be disappointed." Roy answered as he stepped back and waved, "Well, see you in a couple days."
"Wait a minute Roy," Johnny exclaimed as he shifted the Rover back into park. Opening his door, he jumped out, and ran over to stop Roy, in mid-stride, as he headed toward the house. "Maybe I was a bit hasty a minute ago. I like Frank Sinatra..."

"Paul Newman," corrected Roy.

"What?" Johnny cocked his head in confusion. "Whoever. What time should I be here?" asked Johnny excitedly.

"How about 7? We can go eat and then see the 9 o'clock show." Johnny clapped Roy on the back and said,

"Great, great...I’ll see you at 7 then." He turned and practically danced back to the Land Rover whistling. Roy shook his head as Johnny backed down the driveway. Joanne had been after him for weeks to re-introduce Amy and Johnny. She told him, that she thought they looked good together. He just hoped he didn't live to regret it.

~*~

At 6:45, Johnny pulled into the DeSoto driveway. He checked his hair in the rearview mirror, breathed into his hand, to check his breath, smiled satisfactorily, and exited his Land Rover. He took a deep breath, and exhaled it before ringing Roy's doorbell. A red haired, young girl opened the door.

"Yes?"
"I'm John Gage, I'm here to go to dinner and a movie with Roy and Joanne."
"Oh, I've heard so much about you Mr. Gage, come on in." She opened the door wide. "The DeSoto's are up getting ready, come in and have a seat."

"Thank you, what's your name?"

"Amy." Johnny's jaw almost hit the floor. He blinked several times, and tried to swallow, but found that his mouth was suddenly dry of spit. Surely, this can't be the Amy that Roy was talking about; she isn't more than 14 or 15 years old. Johnny's mind went blank. What was his partner thinking? Jen ran into the room and jumped up into the young girl's arms.
"AMY!" Jen screamed. "I've missed you so much!" Jen hugged her neck tight. She leaned up to Amy's ear and whispered a little girls’ whisper, loudly, "See, I told you Uncle Johnny was cute!" Johnny looked from one girl to the other trying desperately to figure out what was going on. This can’t be the Amy Roy was talking about...besides, wasn't she taller?

Thankfully, Joanne chose that moment to enter the room, first noticing the two giggling girls, and then Johnny standing nervously by the front door, trying desperately to find a way of escape.

"Johnny, how long have you been here? I didn’t hear you come in," Joanne asked. "Are you feeling okay…you look a little flushed?"

"I feel fine," Johnny stammered. "Amy here let me in. Joanne, I thought…did Chet… Is this a joke?" He asked, looking pointedly at the young girl. Joanne burst out laughing as she realized Johnny’s dilemma. He no doubt believed the red headed teenager to be his date for the evening.

"What’s so funny?" Roy asked joining them in the living room, noticing Johnny standing by the door.

"Johnny thinks that Amy is his date tonight." Joanne sputtered. It took her a moment to regain control of herself, which brought about a new round of giggles from the girls. Roy took pity on Johnny and immediately began to explain,

"Amy is Amy’s niece…she was named for her Aunt. Amy is upstairs getting ready. She should be down any minute." Johnny sagged against the door and exhaled the breath he’d been holding.

"I thought I was loosing my mind. I remembered her being much taller."

"And much older," Joanne finished. She giggled at his mistake, and he gave her a disgusted look. She mouthed, Sorry, and snuck upstairs. Roy saw Johnny’s eyes focus on something behind him.

"Well, I'm ready," said a voice from behind Roy.

"Johnny, THIS is Amy," Roy announced. He stepped forward as she stepped off of the stairs. Seeing his partner was at a total loss for words, Roy quickly came to the rescue.
"Amy, you remember John Gage?" Amy flashed a perfect smile as she reached to shake John's hand.
"Well, of course! How could I ever forget the man who stole my heart!" Johnny, still holding Amy's hand, suddenly felt totally confused.

"Excuse me?" He glanced at Roy, who looked equally confused. Amy's eyes danced as she replied,

"My heart - last time we met we played cards and you stole my heart! In fact, I think I still owe you dinner for your win." Johnny shyly looked down at the floor, remembering the game and the bet, vividly. He had forgotten about it. Usually, he demanded payment of a bet right away, but for some reason, this one slipped his mind. Joanne stepped down off of the steps and smiled at the ‘uncomfortable’ John Gage.

"Are we ready?" She asked. Johnny took Amy’s hand and started for the door. Joanne looked at her baby-sitter. "As soon as Chris is out of the tub, he’s to get his homework done," Joanne instructed. Amy nodded her understanding. "And you, young lady," she said taking her daughter’s chin, "no annoying Chris while he’s doing what he’s suppose to. Is that clear?" The little girl nodded, puckering her lips and leaning forward for her kiss.

"Yes, mommy." Joanne kissed her daughter.

"8:30 is bed time, I don’t want you arguing with Amy," Roy told her.

"Okay, daddy, I won’t."

"Don’t let them convince you that we let them stay up longer on a school night,"

"I won’t Mr. DeSoto," Amy set Jen down on the floor. Roy hugged his daughter.

"Bye, Chris," they yelled up the stairs. A muffled, singsong voice floated down the stairs to their ears, bye. "He’s in a good mood," Roy told his wife, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"He’s always in a good mood when he’s in water. I swear he’s part fish," she smiled at her husband as he took the doorknob.

"We’ll be home right after the movie, Amy," Roy told her.

"No problem, enjoy it. I hear it’s a good movie."

"Lock the door," Joanne said as the door went shut. They heard the lock sliding into place.

"You know, I don’t think you had to tell her that," Roy said.

"I feel better when I say it," she told him. They stepped over to the car. Johnny and Amy had already situated themselves in the back seat, and were making small talk. Roy opened the passenger door and helped Joanne in. He quickly rounded the front of the vehicle. He drove to a nice little restaurant near the Movie Theater. Soon, the four where laughing over their entrees and sharing a bottle of wine. Halfway into their meal, they heard a commotion at a nearby table. John craned his neck, trying to see what was happening. A woman started screaming,
"Somebody please help my husband...He's choking!" The two paramedics ran to the choking man’s aid. His wife was clutching on to his arm and crying hysterically. John took hold of the woman’s other arm and attempted to pry her away from her husband. At the same time, Roy had reached his arms around the man’s chest in an attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Roy was having trouble in doing this since the man was quite large. Roy's hands barely touched one another as he stretched around the circumference of the man's chest. Finally, Roy's finger latched together and he was able to give several upward thrusts.
"No," screamed the man’s wife as she watched the spectacle unfold before her. John held onto her tightly to keep her from interfering with Roy's actions. Her size was equal to that of her husbands’ and John found it difficult to contain her. He tried to talk calmly with her, to keep her occupied with something other than what was happening with her husband.

With a final upward thrust, Roy was able to dislodge a large piece of steak from the man’s throat. The woman, anxious to get to her husband’s side, shoved Johnny, breaking his grip. Her shove sent him flying backwards and he lost his balance, causing him to land with a resounding thud under one of the tables. He had grabbed at the table, pulling the checkered tablecloth, into his lap. She dashed forward, propelling Roy out of the way as well, making him land beside his partner. Both watched in amazement as the lady led her husband toward the door, all the while cooing, "my poor baby, poor, poor baby."

"Well, how do ya like that for gratitude?" muttered Johnny as he watched them leave. "Poor baby? Poor backside is more like it!" Johnny stood, rubbing on his sore fanny.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Roy agreed, as he pushed himself up off the floor. Both men quickly dusted themselves off and smiled to the other patrons as they rejoined their dates, who promptly applauded their returning heroes. Joanne kissed Roy on the cheek.

"I'm very proud of you, Honey," she said.

"Do you find that you have to do that very often?" Amy asked Johnny. She looked intently into his brown eyes.

"Well," said John, straightening his clothing, and running his hand through his mussed hair, "No," He flashed a crooked grin at Amy. When they had finished the meal, the girls went to the ladies room, while Roy went to pay the check. When he got back to the table, he noticed Johnny didn’t look so good.

"Johnny, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?"

"I don't know, Roy. I don't think the food I ate agreed with me."

"You want to just go on home?"

"Naw, I'll be okay. Just indigestion, I’ll be fine. The girls are coming, let’s go." They left the restaurant, and decided to walk the short distance to the theater. Rounding the corner, Johnny grabbed his stomach, moaned in pain, and threw up in the nearest trashcan. The three friends waited.

"Joanne, you and Amy walk back and get the car," he said pulling the keys from his pocket. Johnny straightened up, wiped his mouth with his hanky, and shook his head.

"No, no. I am okay! Let’s go to the movie!" Roy shook his head.

"Johnny, you’re not okay." Joanne and Amy paused, not sure what to do. Johnny drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to regain his composure.

"I'm fine Roy, really. There's no need to worry about me." Roy frowned.

"You're obviously not feeling well. You should go home." Johnny forced a smile, trying to ignore the pain racing across his stomach.

"I'm not going home for a stomach ache Roy. I'll be fine. I feel better now that I’ve thrown up. I told you it was just something I ate." He turned to Amy and flashed a sheepish smile. Some date this was turning out to be. She smiled back, genuine concern and sympathy in her expression. Johnny's smile grew a bit. Straightening, and hiding a grimace as another cramp pulled at his gut, Johnny turned to his friends. "Come on. We're gonna miss the movie." Amy joined Johnny as he started towards the Movie Theater.

"Are you sure? We could do this another night," she said, slipping her arm through his.
"I'm fine," Johnny insisted. "But I think I'm going to pass on the popcorn."

"Is he really alright Roy?" Joanne whispered into her husband’s ear.
"He says he is," he whispered back, his reassuring smile didn’t reach his eyes. Joanne and Roy exchanged glances.

"Stubborn," both responded at the same time.

"I’m watching him," Roy promised. "Besides, maybe he's right. Maybe it was just something he ate." Slightly satisfied they continued on to the theater.

~*~

The ache continued to crawl across his lower stomach like a caterpillar wearing football spikes. It was getting worse. At one point in the movie, he alternated between freezing and sweating. Amy, sensing his discomfort, took his hand in hers.

"Johnny," she whispered "why don't we call it a night, okay? We can catch the movie again another time."

"No, really, I'm okay. I...." Johnny suddenly bolted from his seat and made a quick exit from the theater. Roy, without saying a thing, joined his partner in the bathroom.
"Johnny...." He was doubled over in pain, clutching his abdomen in the second stall. Roy assessed Johnny's fast, shallow respiration’s, his pallor, and the damp strands of hair that were plastered against John's forehead. "Johnny?" he said with alarm. Roy put his hand on Johnny's face. He had a fever. "Where does it hurt?"

"Right lower quadrant," said Johnny, he didn’t want to voice what he thought it was. "I don't believe this!" he said under his breath.

"Have you had your appendix out?" asked Roy.

"No," Johnny said disgustedly.

"We better get you to Rampart" Roy said as he placed a supporting hand around him.
"Please Roy, don't call a squad just take me over there, okay?" Johnny's eyes begged Roy not make a scene.

"Can you make it to the car?" Roy asked his ailing friend.

"I think so."

"Okay, we’ll go get the car and then come back here for the girls." When Roy opened the men’s room door, the girls were standing in the lobby, pacing with worry. "Joanne, we need to get Johnny over to Rampart. Will you take Amy and get the car. I am not too sure Johnny can make the walk to the car."

"Sure Honey, we’ll meet you at the front door." Joanne looks at her husband’s partner. "We’ll be right back." Johnny doubled over in extreme pain. He groaned loudly.

"Roy, please help me over to the bench. I need to lay down." Roy walks him over to the bench.

"Hurry," Roy instructed his wife. She nodded, as they turned and headed out the door.

"Roy", Johnny moans, "It is really starting to hurt. I fell like I have needles in my stomach." Roy places the back of his hand on Johnny’s forehead. He has a fever, Roy thought.

"I know pal, just take it easy. We’re going to get you over to Rampart as soon as we can. I should call for an ambulance, your appendix might have ruptured," Roy stated. He picked up the pay phone and dialed 911. What was actually only a few minutes seemed like hours before Roy heard the sirens announcing the arrival of Squad 16 followed closely by an ambulance. Joanne and Amy arrived at the same time, opening the door for the paramedics.
Roy had never been more relieved to see Brice in his life. Bellingham was somewhat shocked to see who the patient was.

"Roy, what happened?"

"Appendicitis," Roy told them. "He has all the symptoms. Pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, fever. He's vomited a couple of times already." Johnny groaned almost as much from embarrassment as from pain. After all, this was Brice. Brice had the biophone set up by this point.

"Rampart, this is Squad 16."

"Go ahead 16," answered the voice of Dixie McCall.

"Rampart, we have a male, 27 years of age, complaining of severe pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. He’s febrile with chills and has vomited two times already." Brice paused a moment, "Rampart, be advised the patient is John Gage. Stand by for vitals." Bellingham handed a slip of paper to Brice with the information on it. Brice relayed the information. "Patient's BP is 90 palp and falling, respiration is 25 and labored, pulse is tacky at 140, patient is cold and clammy, request permission to administer IV and start ringers."
"10-4 Squad 16, administer IV and start ringers wide open, and transport immediately." Dr. Morton stated.

" IV, ringers wide open, 10-4 Rampart" Brice stated. Bellingham began the process of administering the IV. When Johnny was ready for transport, they loaded him into the ambulance. Brice turns to Roy. "Are you going to go with him?" Roy looked at Joanne; she nodded approval, and gave him a small shove towards the door.

"We’ll meet you at Rampart," she told him. He climbed in, going to the back of the ambulance. Bellingham shut the door, banging on it twice, letting the driver know he was good to go.

~*~

"Joanne, stop screaming!" Johnny yelled, trying to get off of the gurney. Roy gently pushed Johnny back onto the gurney,

"Lie still Johnny. Joanne is fine. We’re on the way to the hospital. Try to relax."
"No, the ambulance crashed and everyone’s dead...are you dead Roy?" Johnny sobbed looking at Roy, trying to get up off of the gurney again.

"No, I'm not dead Johnny. We’re all fine," Roy reassured Johnny. Roy settled him back down. "Bob, get Rampart on the line and let them know Johnny is becoming delirious and agitated," Roy quietly whispered to Bellingham.

"Crashed...Vince won't let Joanne see you...you're dead...we are all dead...VINCE, LET JOANNE SEE ROY!" Johnny continued muttering.

"What's he talking about?" Bellingham questioned.

"Apparently, he thinks we’ve wrecked the ambulance," replied Roy studying Johnny with growing concern. Johnny suddenly sat up clutching his stomach. "No," yelled Roy as John emptied his stomach. His eyes rolled back in his head as he passed out. Bob handed Roy a towel, grinning.

"Glad its you and not me," Bellingham commented.

"Hazard of the trade!" Roy snidely responded with a grimace. He tried to clean himself up. Bob checked Johnny's vitals, frowning. He relayed the new information to Rampart. Roy didn’t like the report. Most likely, John's appendix has ruptured. His fever had gone up. Roy berated himself for not insisting John seek medical help right after dinner.
Bob looked up at Roy, seeing the anxious expression on the man's face.

"Come on, DeSoto," Bob said. "He'll be fine." Roy nodded, as the ambulance pulled into the emergency entrance. The attendance opened the doors and the men quickly transported the unconscious Johnny through the doors of Rampart. Dixie met them in the hallway and directed them into treatment room 2 where Dr. Morton was already waiting.
"Any change, Bob?"

"He's been quite agitated and somewhat delirious. Temp is up 2 degrees, his other vitals are about the same," Bob responded as they moved Johnny to the exam table. "And drifting in and out of consciousness," he added. Noticing Roy's lost stare, and condition of his clothing, she gently took him by the arm and led him to the door.

"Come on Roy, Johnny is in good hands now. Let's see what we can do about getting you cleaned up." Roy followed Dixie out of the treatment room, glancing back at Johnny as he went. Joanne and Amy had arrived moments after the ambulance and were anxiously waiting in the hallway for word of Johnny's condition.

"How is he?" Joanne asked approaching Roy, but stopping before getting too close, wrinkling her nose.

"I don’t think he liked his food," he weekly smiled down at his vomit covered shirt, "Dr. Morton is in with him now and he’ll tell us something soon. I'm going to go get cleaned up." Roy looked into Amy’s eyes, "Amy, I'm really sorry..."

"Roy, from what I understand, this is a common occurrence for Johnny." Amy said, with a smile. "It’s still been one of the best dates I’ve been on for a while. I only hope that Johnny’s going to be okay so we have the opportunity to try it again." Roy smiled appreciating Amy's consideration. Maybe Joanne was right; maybe Amy and Johnny will hit it off. Roy lost his train of thought when the treatment room door opened and the two paramedics from 16’s came out, followed by Dr. Morton.

"How is he, Doc?" Roy asked anxiously.

"Roy, he's going to be fine." Morton put out a hand. "All his symptoms indicate his appendix, but we’ll wait for the films before we run him up to the OR. Meantime, we're prepping him for an emergency appendectomy." Roy sighed, and Joanne shook her head.
"Look," suggested Morton, "why doesn’t everybody go home and get some rest. There's nothing you can do here, and he’ll be in surgery for at least an hour or more." Roy started to object when Joanne placed her hand on his forearm.

"Roy," Joanne said, interrupting her husband's protest, "that's a good idea, besides, we can’t leave Amy home with our two hooligans."

"Oh, I forgot that Amy was watching our two tonight. Do I have time to change into something less odorous?"

"Oh, don't worry, honey," Joanne smiled sweetly. "We insist." Reluctantly, Roy moved down the hall to wash up, and change into a pair of spare scrubs that were always available in the doctors' shower. Ten minutes later, the three were on their way home, with promises from Mike Morton that he would call as soon as Johnny was out of surgery.

Looking over at her husband as he piloted the car through the late night traffic, Joanne could see in Roy’s face that Morton wouldn’t have to call. If she knew he'd be back at the hospital long before Johnny had even been sewn back up.

~*~

Back at the hospital in treatment room two, Johnny was laying flat on his back on the exam table. He was still in extreme pain, but not enough that he couldn't feel what they were doing. Dixie leaned over and whispered in his ear.

"Sorry, John. I know you are uncomfortable, but we have to get you ready for surgery. Is your stomach still cramping?" Johnny opened an eye and looked at her.

"Yeah, a little bit, but can you wait until I'm knocked out to put anything else in me?" He gave her a weak smile.

"Do you want me to give you something for the pain?" Dixie asked. Johnny looks at her,

"No, that’s okay. If you want to give me something, just do it, and get it over with, and could you cover me up, please?"

"I’ll cover you up when we are finished." Johnny groaned and put his arm over his eyes, as Dixie prepared him for surgery.

~*~

Joanne watched out the window as Roy’s car stopped at the stop sign. "At least he helped me put the kids to bed," she said, as the car turned the corner heading for Rampart General. She lowered the curtain, turned to the sofa, and contemplated whether she should wait for the call or go to bed. She took a deep breath, crossed her arms in front of her, and headed for their bedroom. Johnny would be fine, she thought. He always is. She smiled satisfactorily as she pulled her pajamas out of the dresser drawer.

~*~

In the car, Roy caught himself yawning. As he reached down to turn on the radio at the first red light he caught, his hand encountered the newspaper. He looked down at the advertisement for the movie, and sighed. "Well Junior, you were right," he said out loud. "Who needs to see the Towering Inferno anyway? You provide all the excitement I can handle."

~*~

"Dix," Johnny said, as she held the razor poised over his right hip.
"Yeah, Johnny?" Dix asked.

"We're friends, right?"

"Why would you ask that, Johnny?" Dix said, curiosity getting the best of her.
"Friends don't do anything to hurt each other, right?" asked John. Dixie looked at the razor, looked at Johnny, and giggled.

"Why, Johnny, whatever do you mean?" Betty walked into the treatment room.
"Dix," said Johnny, "please, just be very, very careful."

"Don't worry Johnny," Betty interjected with a giggle, "Dixie is the best at preparations for surgery." She winked at the head nurse, "Why the last guy she did can now hit the high notes every time he sings!" Betty leaned over the gurney to talk to Johnny, confidentially. "In fact, he's been invited to sing the National Anthem it at the next Dodger's home game!"
"Aw, Man!" Johnny whined as Betty and Dixie dissolved into gales of laughter. Johnny rolled his eyes, wishing he were anywhere but in this treatment room. Dixie finished her prep treatment and stepped back to inspect her work. Betty had begun the second IV bag with an antibiotic solution as Dr. Morton entered the treatment room. He was going over Johnny’s lab results.

"Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?" Dixie said, as she hung the foley bag on the side of the gurney.

"Well Johnny, as expected, your lab results indicate an elevation in your white blood cells." Dr. Morton said. "All your symptoms indicate acute appendicitis," he picked up Johnny’s chart to review his latest vitals.

"The pains are getting pretty bad, Doc," Johnny responded.

"Dixie," Dr. Morton said, giving John’s shoulder a sympathetic squeeze, "let’s get him up to the OR and see if we can get some relief for one of our favorite patients," he gave Johnny a final pat on the shoulder as he turned to leave the room. Dixie smiled at Johnny as Dr. Morton leaves the room.

"I know you wish you were already knocked out so you wouldn't feel any of this, but it will be over before you know it. This is gonna be uncomfortable, but I need you to roll on your left side. I’m gonna give you a shot to knock you out." Johnny does as he’s instructed, and is in tears from the pain. As the medication takes effect, the orderlies come in with the gurney.

~*~

Roy parked the car and went through the Emergency room entrance. He spotted Dixie at the nurse's station and walked over to find out the latest on his partner.

"Roy DeSoto, don't you have a home?" Dix asked, sternly. He smiled at her,

"I was worried. How's he doing?"

"Well, he's on his way to surgery as we speak," she answered. "What's the matter, don't you trust us?" She gave him a wink.

"No, it isn't that Dix," he said, glancing around nervously, "it's just that..."
"I understand," she assured him, "It's probably best that you came back here anyway." She looked down at her paperwork. "You'd probably drive Joanne and the kids crazy with your pacing." She looked up at him with a knowing smile. "I’m due for some coffee, wanna join me?"
"Sure," she stepped around the desk headed for the Doctor’s lounge. "Thanks, Dix." He replied following her. Two nurses were leaving as they entered the room. Roy went over to the small table and sat down. Dixie went to the coffeepot and poured two cups of coffee.

"So, tell me did you enjoy the movie?" She asked, placing one cup in front of the worried paramedic, pulling out the chair across from him, and sitting down.
"Well, we didn't actually get to see much of the movie." He said, wrapping his hands around the cup. "Let's say...for a fraction of the price… I can get all the drama and suspense, by having Johnny for a partner!" The two friends have a good chuckle.
"Poor Johnny," Dixie said, sipping on her cup. "Usually, he is unconscious when we prep him for surgery, but unfortunately he was awake and aware of everything!" Roy laughed.

"Wish I’d been there. He was awake for ALL of it?"

"Yeah, ALL of it," Dixie laughed.

Roy laughing, said in a high, falsetto voice, "I'm sure everything worked out fine, Dix!" They started giggling and then remembered why they were there. He stood up and nervously chewed on the edge of his thumb as he paced. He was sure Johnny would come through this surgery with flying colors but that didn't mean he wasn't worried. He never knew anyone who could get himself into so much trouble. Getting bitten by a snake, playing with a pet monkey, even walking to the squad had become dangerous. Roy was brought up short by a throat being cleared.
"Roy," Dixie stood in the doorway. When did she leave the room? She took a calming breath and then began. "Roy, his appendix burst before they got him on the table. He’s in critical condition."

"Peritonitis?" Roy questioned.

"That, and a bacterial infection." She pursed her lips, and looked up at Roy with tears in her eyes. "His prognosis isn’t good."

"What?" asked Roy, astonished. "It was only his appendix!" He walked over to the window, running his hand through his hair. "What happened? Did Morton screw up?" he asked angrily.
"No," replied Dix patiently. "Dr. Morton didn't screw up." She shook her head. "While Johnny was on the table, his blood pressure dropped. When they got in there, his appendix had burst, and there was pus in his abdominal cavity," she sighed.

"Irrigation with antibiotic solution," Roy filled in.

"Yes, and they began meds to counteract the bacteria. His fever is 104, and they have him on ice," she told him. "There isn’t any reason to blame Morton. I'm sure he ordered a pre-op antibiotic," she shrugged.

"Would it have made any difference?"

"It's possible, Roy," said Dix. All the anxiety boiled over, and Roy exploded.

"So Johnny may die because Morton couldn't follow standard procedures?" Kelly Brackett had been walking past the lounge and heard the outburst. He opened the door.
"Is there a problem?" Roy turned angrily to Dr. Brackett.

"I'll tell you what the problem is!" he shouted. "Johnny has a simple appendicitis attack and now he may die, and all because Morton couldn't follow basic procedures."
Brackett looked at Dixie, and frowned.

"I'll be right back. I'm gonna look into this," he said as he walked out of the room.
Dixie watched Roy pace, furiously trying to understand all that was happening. I wouldn’t want to be in Morton's shoes if something happens to Johnny, Dixie thought to herself.

"So...what now?" asked Roy, looking exasperated.

"Well, we wait. We're doing everything we can for him. He's young and strong...and the best thing he has going for him, is that he’s Johnny!" she said, trying to reassure him.
"I just can't believe this is happening," he said, turning to slide down the wall. "I mean just a few hours ago we were laughing and having a good time...we saved a guy in a restaurant...and now, he could die!"

"Don't give up on him yet, Roy," the nurse said, patting him on the arm.
~*~

Dr. Brackett arrived in ICU as Dr. Morton and nurse were getting Johnny settled.
"How is he Mike?" Kel asked as he approached the bed.

"Not good Kel, I just don't understand this. All pre-op procedures were followed - I'm stumped." Dr. Brackett reached for Johnny's chart.

"Let's take a look," he flipped through the pages. "Looks like everything is in order, antibiotics ordered prior to surgery - wait there is no sign-off here. Who was to administer the antibiotics?" The tray she was holding clattered to the floor as she gasped in horror.
"Betty was the charge nurse caring for Johnny," Dr. Morton responded. "Betty...."
Betty appeared ready to faint.

"Oh my God!" She said in unbelief.

Brackett turned to the nurse. "Your incompetence could have seriously jeopardized his health!" Hot tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry!" She fled the room. Dixie had entered the room at the beginning of this exchange. She looked at Kel, frowning.

"Don't you think that was a little harsh?"

"Frankly, Dix," he answered. He turned back to Morton and they began discussing further how to proceed with Johnny’s treatment. Dixie left the room, looking for her nurse. The first place she looked was the ladies room. As she entered, she heard soft sobbing coming from one of the stalls. She could tell the young woman was trying desperately to control her emotions. She knocked on the stall door.

Then came a sniffled, "Yes?"

"Are you okay?" Dixie asked.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. McCall. You can have my resignation immediately!"

"I really don’t think that will be necessary. Come on out and we can discuss it in my office." She stepped back away from the stall door as she heard the lock slide over.

CONTINUED IN CHAPTER TWO