Sailing Away

Rosalind, Katy, Kathy, Pat, KC, Cin, Sheryl, Susan, Alice, Robin, Cassandra, Corey,

Tammy #2, Jo, & Teresita
 
 

"What is with him?" Roy asked, a little surprised at Chet’s actions.

"I think he's lost his mind," Hank replied, irritably, "not that he had much to lose."

"Is that from the head injury?" asked Roy, somewhat concerned.

"I don't think so," Dixie answered. "He's been edgy since I got here."

"I don't think he's enjoying our vacation," Stoker laughed. "I'll go look for him Cap."

"Yeah, good idea Mike...and when you find the little twit..." Hank paused, thoughtfully, "...tell him we were just kidding about all that stuff." Chet had deserved most of the harassing they'd given him but Captain Stanley couldn't help feeling a little guilty, under the circumstances.

"Here Mike," Roy tossed Stoker a key, "the key to his and Johnny's cabin."

"He wouldn't be dumb enough to..." Mike grinned.

"Give it a shot," Roy suggested, "actually it's probably the only smart place to go, unless he wants to take the chance of ending up as a punching bag again."

~*~

Mike headed off to Chet's cabin, not really thinking he would be there.

"With Chet, nothing should surprise me." Mike thought. Chet heard the key in the lock.

"Oh no, man, I'm really in trouble now," he gasped. He looked around for an exit and found none. Mike entered the room, and saw Chet standing in the middle of the cabin with his hands in his pants, looking guilty as sin.

"Chet, what you doing in here?" Mike yelled.

"Mike, I had to get out of there. I was going crazy. Everybody is sick or angry. Not to mention, you and Cap threatening to throw me overboard."

Sighing heavily Mike said, "Come on Chet, we have to go back. I don't like this anymore than you do. Besides, we were kidding about throwing you overboard. We wouldn’t do that to you." Chet followed Mike out the door, not wanting to go back, but knew he had better. He didn't want to make Mike any madder than he already was.

~*~

Roy sighed as he sat down in a chair for a well-earned rest. Barely recovered from his own illness, this trip to Dante's inner sanctum was just a little too much for him. He opened his eyes as Dixie sat across from him.

"Not exactly vacation paradise, huh, Roy?" she asked.

"You know, Dix," Roy replied, "when you get down to it, I shouldn't be surprised at any of this!" Dixie laughed. "Considering your co-workers, especially your partner, I guess I understand what you mean!"

Roy glanced over at Johnny as he lay on the bed. He was as white as the sheets, but at least he was quiet. Marco was sleeping soundly across the room. He could tell by the coughs and moans of the others infected that Brackett and the Triage team still had their hands full. His eyes returned to rest on Johnny's pale face and he sighed again.

"He'll be okay, Roy. We'll have him in Rampart before you know it." Dixie recognized the concern and the exhaustion on Roy's face, from too many ER trips with Johnny. "Roy, get some rest. I don't want to have to treat you too!" He smiled, closing his eyes. As he was slowly drifting off into the land of nod, the door burst open, startling him straight up in his seat.

"I’ve got him, Miss McCall!" Stoker returned, dragging a reticent, but contrite, Chet by the arm. Although Chet seemed calm enough, he couldn't help hanging back a little, thinking a life jacket wouldn’t be such a bad idea. With the mood Stoker was in, it wouldn't hurt. He slowly walked over to Dixie. Dixie noticed his hesitation, and smiled kindly at him.

"Come on, Chet, I promise I'll be gentle."

"All right," Chet sighed. "But if something happens it's not my fault. I don't do to well with those things." Dixie reassured him.

"That's all right. We'll go in the bathroom so we can have some privacy." She led him out of the room.

"He was right were you said he'd be," he said.

"Who? Where?" Johnny asked in confusion.

"Awake again, Junior?" Roy reached for the thermometer and shook it down. "Feeling better?" he put the thermometer into his partner's mouth. Johnny resisted.

"Did something happen?" He was very confused. "Why is this thing around me?" He asked, pulling on Bellingham’s belt. Roy managed to slip the thermometer in Gage's mouth.

"You'll get that off you as soon as your hallucinations are over." Brackett entered the room, looking grim.

"What's wrong now?" Captain Stanley asked.

"I've been talking with Captain Kurk. I'm afraid we'll be stuck out here for at least two more days." Everyone in the room reacted negatively.

"Two more days? Why?"

"Another ship is being sent out here for the passengers that are well. Rampart is also sending another nurse and more supplies. I can't let any of you guys leave, and I have asked Dwyer and Charlie to stay and assist us. The ship should be here in the next hour. Has Dix finished taking throat cultures, Roy?"

"She’s getting Chet’s now. Johnny’s fever is still high."

"As soon as the other supplies arrive, I’ll give him another shot of antibiotics. You need to rest. I may give you and Marco another one too. Are you feeling alright, Roy?"

"No, not really. I’m real tired." The bathroom door opened and a very pale-looking Chet stood in the doorway. Captain Stanley stepped over to his firefighter placing a concerned hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay, Pal?"

'Yeah, I guess so. I hate throat cultures. It always hurts for a couple of hours afterwards."

"Doc...." Johnny groaned from the bed.

"Yeah, Johnny?" Dr. Brackett asked, moving over to the side of his bed. Johnny lay on the bed, breathing rapidly, his eyes squeezed shot. "What's wrong?"

"I gotta get out of here," John panted. "I can't stay...Please, help me get out of here!" He was becoming very agitated, pulling and tugging on Bellingham’s belt. "Roy won’t let me leave."

"John, calm down," said Brackett. "You aren't in any condition to leave."

"No," said John. "I need to leave. Don't let her get me. Please!" He tried to sit up, but Bellingham’s belt was too tight. "Why are you doing this to me?" he shrieked. Dixie moved over to the bed, attempting to comfort John. Cap and Roy each placed a hand on Johnny’s shoulders.

"You're okay, Johnny. No one here is trying to hurt you! Relax and calm down." Johnny screamed again, thrashing against the restraining hands. Bellingham’s belt was stretching under the strain.

"Don't let her get me!"

"His temp must be up, he’s hallucinating again. Start cooling measures," Brackett instructed.

"Don't let who get you, Junior?" said Roy.

"JO!" Johnny screamed.

"Jo?" Roy asked incredulously. "What's Joanne going to do to you?" Johnny flashed Roy a bleary look.

"Not…your…Jo," he gasped, as he broke into a coughing fit. "She's coming for me!" Bellingham’s belt snapped. The ensuing madness was dizzying. Johnny’s limbs swung out at everything and anything. He kicked Cap off with surprising strength. He stood up, and tried to run when every healthy man in the room leapt on him, pinning him to the bed. He continued to scream, "Let me go! She's coming, she's coming!" Dr. Brackett, seeing that Johnny was well under control, ran for a sedative. His struggles grew weaker, and finally, mercifully, he lost consciousness. Roy reached over and grabbed a washcloth from the cool water basin. Ringing it out, he began with Johnny’s forehead working down around his fever-hot face.

"I’ll do that Roy," Dixie told him. He continued wiping the cool washcloth around Johnny’s face. "Roy?" Roy glared at her with surprising anger.

"I'll do it." is all he would say.

"Maybe you should do what she asks, Roy," his Captain ordered, quietly. Roy looked down at his unconscious partner and backed away. Dixie stepped up and folded the washcloth laying it gently on Johnny’s forehead. She looked up at Mike Stoker.

"Mike, could you get me some plastic sandwich bags, and fill them with ice. We'll use them beneath his armpits, behind his neck, and in his groin to cool him down. It's about the only thing we can do for now." Johnny moaned; he was beginning to come around.

"In his groin?" Chet whispered. He gulped and shuddered involuntarily. "Isn't that...kind of...cold?"

"That's the whole idea, Chet," replied Dixie. "If we don't cool him off, and soon, it's possible that he could end up with brain damage." Chet nodded, solemnly.

"I guess it’s the area that concerns me," Chet commented. "Come on, Mike, let's go get the bags." They returned shortly with the bags and a tub of fresh ice. Dixie and the men put the ice into the bags and she placed them around the ailing paramedic. When she was finished, she looked at the concerned faces surrounding the bed.

"There really isn't anything you can do, at the moment. Why don't you go see if Kel could use a hand." The three men left the room. Dixie looked down at Johnny. There had been a time when she had let herself wonder what might have happened if she had been younger. Naw, he really wasn’t her type anyway, Kel was. She looked over at his partner sitting quietly in the corner, trying not to look worried. She stepped over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You should go get some sleep."

"I should, that doesn’t mean I’m going to." He smiled up at her.

"Maybe a walk on the deck would clear your head," Dixie patted his shoulder.

"You know, that sounds like a real good idea, Dix, thank you." He stood up and left the room. As he strolled around the deck, he was surprised to find Chet standing by the rail.

"I would think someone afraid of being tossed overboard wouldn't stand that close to the sea," he joked, as he approached the dark haired Irishman.

Chet smiled wanly, "Seemed like a good idea to me," They both stared silently at the starry sky.

"It’s beautiful out here," Chet commented, quietly. Roy nodded his agreement. "Roy, do you think we cursed Johnny?" Chet asked.

Roy groaned, "Come on Chet. That's silly."

"No, man, we rode him from the time this trip was booked. Isn't that like bad karma, or something?" Chet looked truly worried. Roy shook his head.

"There's no such thing as a curse. He has an infection that’s all. And he's not the only one to have it."

"But, he's so sick..." Chet's voice trailed off. Now Roy looked worried.

"I know," he said.

"I'd give anything to be home," said Chet. Cap came running up to the rail.

"Roy, we've been looking all over for you. We need your help. Looks like this night isn't over yet!"

"Is it Johnny? What now?" Roy didn't wait for the answer, he rushed past Cap and down the corridor. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered that just 24 hours ago he was pouting over having a rotten vacation. He rushed to the door of the VIP suite and threw it open, startling those inside. It was then that the past two days caught up to him. Mike caught him as he went into a dead faint.

"I need some help here!" cried Mike, as he lay Roy on the floor. A triage nurse came over and waved smelling salts under Roy's nose. He reacted immediately, slowly coming around.

"What happened?" he asked, shaking his head.

"You passed out," said Dr. Brackett, who approached and began taking Roy's vitals.

"Johnny..." Roy started to get up, but was pushed back down by Mike and Dr. Brackett.

"He's okay, Roy; his fever's down to 102.5. He's sleeping." Brackett finished.

"What did you need me for?" Roy asked.

"Triage," Brackett said. "It's Marco, and the rest of the infected group. Fevers are up and we just needed another pair of hands. But I think, now that you’ve passed out, it's more important that you get some rest."

"They're letting us use the other cabins on this floor now," said Cap. "Grab one and get some sleep. That's an order." Roy sighed, too tired to argue. As he reached the door it opened and in walked Captain Kurk.

"I have an announcement that all of you should hear," he said wearily. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing for a moment and stared at the captain.

"Oh great," Chet moaned, "What now?"

"I'm afraid it isn't good news. The authorities have officially quarantined the entire ship... indefinitely. That means absolutely no one will be allowed to leave the ship until the authorities deem the situation to be under control." Captain Kurk looked grim. "I'm giving you people advance notice, I haven't announced this to the other passengers yet."

"I don't understand... why are they doing this?" Roy asked.

"They are afraid of letting a shipload of infected or possibly infected people out into the general population." Dr. Brackett jumped in with the explanation. "I was afraid they might do something like this...until they are sure this strain of Legionellosis isn't deadly, they'll make sure we all stay on the ship. It'll be much easier to keep track of the infection this way," he frowned, "Did they mention anything about supplies?"

"Yes," Captain Kurk replied, "they'll be dropping off more supplies within the next 4 hours, that's the best they cold do. I'd better go tell the other passengers." Everyone watched in stunned silence as he turned and left the room. A crash from the bedroom broke the stillness of the room, followed by an angry female voice shouting, "Mr. Gage!" Roy made his way into the bedroom first, to see Johnny sitting in the middle of the floor with a frantic look on his face. Scattered around him were ice, the bucket, several glasses, and anything else that had been on the now overturned nightstand. He hurried over to his partner’s side.

"Johnny, what are you doing?" he asked placing a hand on his shoulder as he knelt down, hoping to calm the younger man.

"I'm f-f-freezing!" he shivered. "W-w-what are y-you g-guys t-trying to d-do to me n-n-now?" Roy helped Johnny to his feet, steering him back to the bed.

~*~

Meanwhile in the living room...Captain Stanley and Mike Stoker were in the process of coming up with a plan to keep everyone happy.

"Dr. Brackett, " Hank said, as he walked into the bedroom, "I think we have an idea of how we can get everyone situated, and keep the peace." Dr. Brackett smiled for the first time that day,

"Please! Tell me!"

"Nearly all the passengers on this ship are firefighters, because of the seminar. McConnikee is not very ill, and I believe he would help us out by making an announcement to get everyone calmed down, and he can order the guys to be checked out, if necessary"

"Good. I’ll call the doctor." Kel walked over, picked up the phone. "He will be here shortly," he commented as he place the receiver back into the cradle. Captain Stanley nodded, and continued,

"What needs to be done?" Dr. Brackett thought for a moment, and then replied,

"I can get the Paramedics who are healthy to assist me. We need a blood sample from each and every person on this ship. That will tell us who has been exposed to the virus. I have a feeling it’s only the firefighters. We will work on rearranging our set-up here." Captain Stanley leaves the room to find his Chief. Mike looks at the doctor with concern,

"Hey, Doc, why would the firefighters get hit the hardest?"

"I think it’s the combination of working so hard every shift, and your low tolerance levels. The other passengers may get sick but not like firefighters. Do me a favor, though. Take Roy to one of the other cabins and put him to bed. DWYER?"

Dwyer stuck his head in the door,  "Yes, sir?"

"Can you help Mike take Roy into the next cabin, and put Bellingham in there as well." Dwyer looked over at Roy, who sat in the chair next to the bed, sound asleep.

"Uh, Doc? Are you sure he will go? He’s sound asleep."

"Put him over your shoulder if you have to, but get him out of here. After you start the IV on him, get his vitals, and temp, keep me posted." Mike grabbed Roy’s arm and pulled him up over his shoulder in the fireman’s carry. Dixie gave Dwyer the needed supplies as he followed Mike and Roy out of the room. Shortly after they left, McConnikee and the doctor entered the suite.

The Chief walked over to Captain Stanley. "OK Hank, what’s your plan?"

Hank explained the plan to McConnikee as they were leaving to implement it. Mike entered the room as the Chief and his Captain left. He stepped over to Chet, who was sitting by Marco's bedside.

"Is he all right?" asked Mike with concern. Chet was startled. He'd been half-asleep. "He's ah, getting better. He was awake. He just went back to sleep. How's Roy?"

"Out like a light."

"That's good, he needs the rest," Chet's eyes fluttered. He glanced over at Johnny’s bed, where there appeared to be a small commotion going on.

"But I don't want to go to sleep!" Johnny sat up, arguing with Dixie. "But Dix, I've already been asleep!"

"I don't have time for this Johnny. Mike," she called for the engineer. Mike quickly stepped over to the head nurses’ side. "If Mike tells you what's been happening, will you go to sleep?" Dixie asked. She felt as though she were bargaining with a reluctant child.

"I suppose if I have to," he told her. Dixie proceeded to leave, while Mike sat in the vacant chair. "Uh, Dixie?" Johnny called out. Dixie turned back, with a weary sigh.

"Yes, Johnny?"

"Can I have some pants? Or at least some real pajamas?" His lips curled upwards into his crooked grin.

"I’ll see what I can do," she told him shutting the door behind her. Mike sat next to Johnny, patiently explaining all of the happenings of the past few days. An occasional "Wow," was all John was able to muster, barely being able to believe the details Mike accounted to him. Dix had stopped back with a pair of scrubs, after checking his temp and finding it significantly lower - 100, she allowed him to go into the bathroom and change.

"Don't you guys need some extra help?" he asked as he returned from changing.

"Yes, we do..." she told him smiling sweetly, "...but not from you!" she added. Quickly giving him, a 'no arguments' look. "Now get back in bed!" Johnny still looked very pale and wasn't at all steady on his feet.

"You better do what she says, John," Mike told him, "you don’t look so good." Mike grabbed his arm and steadied him.

"Where's Roy?" he asked, straining to look into the other room.

"He's getting some rest!" Dixie answered. "He's been up for nearly 48 hours, worrying about you...John Gage!" She gently pushed him back into the bed. "So don't you even THINK about getting out of that bed!"

"Aw Dix!" he whined. Then, yawning added, "I feel much better, really!" He pulled the covers to his chin and promptly fell asleep. Dixie was surprised at how quickly Johnny had fallen asleep. She busied herself with tidying up around the room. The mess that the team had made was getting to her and she had to at least do something. She looked over at Marco and Chet. Both were sleeping soundly. "Good, Chet needed to sleep too," She thought. She bent over to pick up a stray IV wrap when a loud snort was heard from Chet. She looked up and Chet was sitting bolt up in the chair wide-awake.

"You okay, Chet?" She asked.

"Where's Cap?" he looked at her with the glazed eye of sleep. She stepped over to him thinking he was sleeping. She reached her hand out to touch his forehead. He was hot. ‘Can't let him know, or he will freak out on me,’ she thought.

"He and the Chief are discussing a plan of action, why?"

"I gotta find him, it's important!" He stood up and pushed her out of the way. "Chet..." staggering to regain her balance, she turned and hollered his name again, louder, hoping someone would stop him. "CHET!" She went to the doorway of the bedroom, and saw the cabin door slam shut as he rushed out into the hallway. Dr. Brackett stepped over to Dixie in the bedroom doorway.

"What's wrong, Dix?"

"I think Chet's got it now," she told him.

"All of his tests came back fine, he can't have it."

"When I touched his forehead, he felt like he was on fire."

"Oh, man, then how is this being passed from one person to another?" Brackett's mind raced with the possibilities.

Meanwhile, in the hallway…

Chet raced down the hall looking for his Captain and his Chief. Checking each room as he ran. He rounded a corner and ran full force into a beautiful young woman, knocking both of them on to the floor in a heap. All of the things that she was carrying flew around the room like confetti. IV's, tubing, needles with caps, several boxes of gloves, and a couple of blue gowns, lay strewn around them, as they tried to recover. Both took a deep breath and sat up shaking their heads.

"You okay?" Chet asked, placing his hand on her arm.

"Yeah, you?" she got onto her knees and began picking up the items that lay around her.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry," he began helping her to pick up.

"It's okay, you must have been going somewhere important."

"Yeah, I'm looking for my Captain. Have you seen him? Tall guy with black hair."

"No, sorry, haven't seen him." She stood with some of the items in her arms. Chet stood with the rest of the items. They were the same height, and he looked into her beautiful lavender eyes. He took a deep breath.

"Wow, you have some pretty eyes, what's your name?" She blushed and winked at him.

"Why?"

"I love your eyes. I would like to know the name behind them." He could see the blush crawl down her neck. It was cute.

"It's Jo."

"As in Josephine?" he asked.

"No as in JoAnne. I prefer Jo because I'm not to keen on Anne. Can I have my stuff now?" She winked again.

"Yes, ma'am." He transferred the items into her over stuffed arms. "Do you need help back to the room?"

"Naw. I'll be okay as long as I don't have any other fire fighters racing down the hallway at me." She gave him a beautiful smile. Wow was all his mind would say. Nothing else would come out of his mouth. He stood there in her presence, soaking in her beauty. "Are you going to go find your Captain, now?" Her voice was like warm honey over his ears.

"Um, I think so," he tried to turn to go down the hall but his legs wouldn't move.

"Is that him?" She shook her head down the hallway, and he looked in that direction.

"Yeah, thanks!" he turned back and she was gone. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He rechecked down the hallway and she was no where to be found. He took a deep breath and walked over to his Captain and Chief. "Cap I think I've figured it out."

"Figured what out, Kelly?" Cap asked.

"Why only the firefighters are sick."

"Why is that," the Chief jumped in. Chet looked over at him and saw that the Chief’s eyes were solid red, and he had grown several appendages. Chet took a step back from his Captain and the Chief. The two men stepped forward. Chet looked at his Captain, who had sprouted very large, long horns, and began to scream. The two superiors looked at each other amazed at Chet's response. Hank reached out to touch Chet, with what Chet perceived as a giant snake with huge fangs, and he bolted towards the upper decks and the outside.

"What's that all about?" Hank asked and raced after his firefighter. Yelling over his shoulder to his Chief, "Can you go get Dr. Brackett and tell him what's happened with Chet? Tell him I'm following him to the upper decks." The Chief nodded and went the opposite way.

"We'll not try this ever again!" The Chief said under his breath, "No more cruises for the LA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT!" he vowed.

On deck…

Chet raced for the railing. "Oh god, I gotta get outta here!" He paced the railing frantically trying to find a way out. "Everyone's going nuts. It has to be that warehouse fire that we went to last week. There had to be something in there to cause this kind of reaction! It was some kind of laboratory type place, that's gotta be where we all got it! I gotta find Cap to tell him!" He turned around and began screaming at the top of his lungs. "PAGING CAPTAIN HANK STANLEY! HANK STANLEY YOU ARE NEEDED ON DECK."

Captain Stanley rushed on to the deck, stopping when he spotted Kelly by the railing. It was obvious the firefighter was suffering the same sort of delusions that had plagued Gage earlier. But Brackett had told him Chet was all right. Well, even Doctor Brackett could be wrong occasionally. Chet appeared quite agitated. He would have to use caution in approaching him. One wrong move and the only place for Kelly to go was over the side.

Chet spotted Captain Stanley slowly walking toward him.

"Cap! You have to listen to me..." he stopped short. "Wait a minute." he said suspiciously. "You’re not the Captain!" He frantically looked around for a weapon, anything to defend himself. He backed up and slowly reached down, not taking his eyes off of 'the thing'. "Yes!" he shouted victoriously, scooping up the discarded shuffle board cue. "You better stay back!" he warned. Through his delirium, something made him think of Gage. He remembered how terrified John had been and how he'd ranted about a woman named Jo. No wonder Gage had been so freaked out! These must be 'the things' that had Gage so scared. Maybe these things were out to get Johnny. He felt this urge to protect his friend, and mustering all of the courage he had within himself, he took a deep breath, brandishing his shuffle board cue, he raced back to the VIP suite. "Gotta save Gage!" He yelled. Captain Stanley shook his head and followed closely behind the deranged firefighter.

~*~

Chet burst in the door, startling Dixie and Mike, who sat in chairs beside Johnny’s bed.

"What happened to the others?" he asked, slowly and suspiciously.

"The patients were spread out among the other rooms, and the medical team went to set up for the tests." Dixie crossed her arms and gave Chet her best head-nurse glare while she peppered him with questions. "Are you all right? Why in the world did you come through the door like that!" Dixie demanded. At that moment, Captain Stanley could be heard screaming something in the hall.

"What now?" groaned Mike, pulling himself out of his chair. Dixie raced out into the hall, thinking that there was yet another medical emergency. Chet slammed the door behind her, and locked it. He knew what had happened. She was one of THEM, and everyone else had already been taken. Mike was totally confused by his friend’s actions.

"Hey! Why'd you lock it?" He didn't wait for the answer; he started to unlock the door. Chet snuck up silently behind the quiet engineer and hit him over the head with the shuffleboard cue, knocking him unconscious. That should take care of him. Chet thought. Captain Stanley began banging on the door, demanding entry.

"Chet! Open this door!" Stanley ordered. The small Irishman wasn't about to. He gripped the handle of the shuffleboard cue tightly and held it over his shoulder in a batter stance. The commotion outside the door was growing louder as more voices entered the mix.

"Open the door!" Brackett demanded. Roy emerged from the room across the hall.

"What's going on?" he asked. Brackett turned and explained the situation. Behind the door, the noise had aroused the ailing paramedic. He sat up in his bed,

"What's all the noise about?" He questioned Chet. Johnny noticed that Chet wasn’t acting normal. "Chet?" In Chet’s aggravated mental state, Johnny had become one of them.

"They got him. Must save the world," he thought. He approached Johnny with the shuffleboard cue raised, ready to destroy the evil before him.

Johnny’s vision was a little fuzzy but he was sure Chet was holding a shuffleboard cue. His vision cleared enough to see the cue swung at his head. Johnny closed his eyes waiting for unconsciousness. The others managed to break the door down, and rush in. The men heard a muffled scream and stepped into the bedroom area to find Chet collapsed on top of Johnny’s face. Johnny was trying to push him off, but in his weakened state, he couldn’t do anything but pull on Chet’s shirt. Dwyer checked on the unconscious Stoker, while Roy rushed over to roll the unconscious Chet off of Johnny. Dr. Brackett, with Cap's help, carried Chet into the living room suite. Mike sat up and clutched his head. Dwyer helped him up and they slowly followed the others out of the bedroom.

Johnny gulped in a huge breath of air as the dead weight was lifted off of his head and chest. He was too dazed to even speak.

"Are you alright?" Roy asked. His concern increased as Johnny stared at him. "Johnny?" Roy began to take his vitals, when he noticed blood slowly trickling from a cut in Johnny's hairline.

"I'm okay," said Johnny. "What’s going on?"

"Chet's sick, too," was all the explanation that Roy could offer.

"Well, I was sick and I didn't try to bludgeon anyone to death!" said Johnny. "Owe! Stop touching that; it hurts." He looked at Johnny.

"It's a good thing he passed out when he did. You sure are lucky." Johnny lay back, now nursing a throbbing headache from the slight graze of the shuffleboard cue.

"I don't feel so lucky," he mumbled. Dixie entered the room.

"How's our patient?" she asked Roy.

"Only a small cut. I think a butterfly would take care of it. I was going to get a new temp. He's warm." Roy inserted the thermometer in Johnny's mouth, quickly shutting off any protests. "How's Chet and Mike?"

"Mike has a huge headache, but luckily, that seems to be all. Chet has a temperature of 103, with the same symptoms as the others. He’s coming around now, and he's out of the delusions." Dixie sighed. "I always wanted to take a cruise, but this isn't what I had in mind!" Roy laughed,

"I know what you mean." He read Johnny's temperature, frowning. "Back to 101.5."

"I'll go tell Kel." She left the room.

"Roy?" said Johnny. "I'm really hungry." Roy grinned,

"Well, Junior, that's the first good news I've heard today!"

~*~

Captain Kurk slowly shook his head as he made his way down the corridor to the VIP suites. Everywhere he looked there were firefighters and medical personnel running supplies and patients from here to there. He hadn't seen anything remotely like this since the war, and had never expected it on his ship! Kurk sighed. He'd been thinking about retirement for awhile now, maybe this disaster was an omen...

Reaching the door he was looking for, the suite where it had all started, the Captain pushed it open and walked in. Dr. Brackett looked up from his patient.

"Any news on those supplies Captain?"

"Yes, I spoke with the Coast Guard shortly and they should be here within the hour."

"That's good," Brackett responded rubbing his eyes wearily. "The number of new cases has dropped off considerably." Dixie walked in from the other room, waiting for Brackett to finish before speaking.

"Any word on the supplies?"

"Captain Kurk says they should be here within the hour."

"Good. I wanted to let you know that Johnny's temp is starting to climb again." Brackett frowned.

"Would that be Mr. Gage, the young man who started all of this?" Dixie frowned at the Captain.

"Johnny didn't START this," she gestured around the room. "He was only the first one to get sick." When someone threatened her paramedics, especially those she was fond of, Dixie could be worse than a mother bear. Brackett stepped up to defend the Captain.

"I don't think Captain Kurk meant to accuse Johnny of starting the sickness, Dix, but as you said, he was the first to get sick." Captain Stanley walked into the room. He nodded to the group, and went over to Mike Stoker on the sofa, holding his head.

"Cap, do you think a jury would convict me if I seriously hurt Chet?" Mike muttered softly.

"Take it easy, Mike. You know he didn't mean it."

"I'm still gonna hurt him," Mike commented, trying to get up. "As soon as the room stops spinning." He sat back down again.

"Stay put, Mike." Stanley put his hand on the engineer's shoulder. "You relax."

"You know better than that. You need to be resting." Stanley heard Roy tell Johnny in the other room.

"I just want to stretch out. I'm stiff from lying down so long! I could use a little food."

"Do I have to get Bellingham's belt?" Roy was using his best father's voice. "Again? I’ll get your food later." Roy stood staring at his partner, arms crossed, tapping his toe impatiently.

"Are you just gonna stand there?" asked Johnny, when he couldn't stand the stare anymore. Roy answered in a tone that brooked no argument.

"For the rest of the time we are on this ship, I am not letting you out of my sight."

"You’ve been hanging with the Cap too long. You sound like him," Johnny sighed, exasperated. "You can stand there and watch me sleep then!" He flopped over on his side and closed his eyes. "You don’t have to treat me like one of your kids, you know."

"Maybe if you didn’t act like one of my children, I wouldn’t have to treat you like one of my children."

"Fine!"

"That's what I hoped you say," Roy said, unfazed by Johnny’s attitude and behavior. He had grown quite used to that look since he'd been partnered with Johnny. Roy sat in the overstuffed chair, quickly falling asleep.

Johnny waited till he heard Roy's soft snores. Then, he threw the covers off and stretched. Regardless of what Roy thought, he needed fresh air. No wonder he couldn't get better, they kept bringing sick people into his room and re-infecting him! He pulled the IV needle out of his arm. What he needed was a cold soft drink, and fresh air. He rose from the bed, and searched for his clothes. He snuck into the bathroom. He was dying for a quick shower. He just hoped he could pull this off before one of his captors returned! He wasn't sure whose wrath he should fear...Roy's or Dixie's!

When he finished with his shower, he slowly opened the door to the master suite. Roy was still sleeping. Now, how to sneak out of here. Johnny looked around. No way out except through the living room. He opened the other door in the bathroom. It adjoined the other bedroom, where Marco was sleeping. He saw another door and turned the knob. This led to the hallway, and freedom! Now, if he was quick enough, he could avoid running into anyone. He hurried up the steps, and burst out onto the deck. It was now dark out; the air was cool, and it felt good. He stared at the stars, feeling drained. The adrenaline rush, which had fueled his escape, now faded. He sank onto a deck chair and closed his eyes.

An hour later; Dixie walked back into the Suite. Roy was fast asleep. She noticed the empty rumpled bed. She looked in the bathroom and noticed the adjoining doors open, but no Johnny. Roy felt a hand shaking him, and struggled to lift himself from the grips of sleep,

"What?"

"Roy," Dixie's voice reached his muddled brain. "Roy, where did Johnny go?" That brought him fully awake.

"He was sleeping," he said. Roy looked around the room, disgusted with his partner.

"Dix, I'm gonna hurt him!"

"Get in line," Dixie softly muttered. She headed back through the living room. "He couldn't have gone that far," she commented.

"Especially in his condition," Roy said, distracted by another door in the bathroom that was slightly ajar. Dixie joined him at the bathroom door. She put her hand on Roy's arm. "Roy, you're still pretty beat. Let me send Dwyer after him."

"No Dix, I’ll be okay. The fresh air might do me some good anyway." He started down the hallway, Dixie following close behind.

~*~

As he slept, Johnny thought he could hear Roy. He thought he was dreaming, Roy sure sounded mad.

"I don't care if he is sick! When I get my hands on that partner of mine he's going to wish he were dead!"

"Now Roy", Dixie was saying "try to stay calm. Getting upset isn't going to help matters." Johnny realized he wasn't dreaming. Luckily, they hadn't seen him yet. Time to find a hiding place. He looked around and saw a sign:

STAY OUT
RESTRICTED AREA
SHIP PERSONNEL ONLY

Now, here was the place to hide, Johnny thought. Roy would never go where he wasn't suppose to, and besides, what kind of trouble could he get into? This is ridiculous, Johnny thought. Here I am a full-grown man playing hide and seek. He reached out, grabbed the knob and turned it.

"Johnny! You’d better come here RIGHT NOW!" He’d better find a place to hide, and fast. He began running down the dimly lit corridor. Roy saw the door close out of the corner of his eye.

"JOHNNY!" he bellowed. He ran over to the door, and, ignoring the sign, threw it open. He saw a shadow disappear around a corner and moved swiftly to intercept his partner. Johnny heard his partner’s shout, then his footsteps echoing down the hall. The ship’s halls were laid out like a maze and Johnny quickly lost his sense of direction.

He could still hear Roy in hot pursuit. He finally found a darkened alcove and ducked into it, holding his breath so he would make no noise. Roy, intent on the chase, did not see Johnny as he raced past. Johnny stayed put for several seconds, and when he was sure that Roy was gone, he stepped out into the hall. A hand came out of nowhere, and grabbed him at the nape of the neck. Johnny turned to see his partner’s ice blue eyes glaring angrily at him.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Roy yelled in Johnny's ear. Johnny grimaced and sighed.

"I wanted some air," Johnny shook his head. "I've been cooped up for so long I don't think I know what the sky looks like anymore!" Johnny coughed harshly. He felt Johnny's forehead.

"For crying out loud!" he said in exasperation, "you're still running a pretty high fever, and just listen to that cough!" He gripped Johnny's arm. "You're coming back to the suite with me!"

"No I'm not," said Johnny as he twisted out of Roy's grip. "I'm fine." He ran his hand through his shaggy black hair. "I appreciate your help, but come on! If I want to take a little stroll to get some air, I will!" John pointed his finger angrily.

"Fine! But, need I remind you, that you were pretty sick a couple of days ago, and you're still wobbly." Roy said, as he backed away. "If that's the thanks I get for sitting at your bedside and trying to make sure you were still breathing, I'm sorry!" Roy waved his arm in a dismissing motion. "Stay on deck! I hope you have a good time, just don't come crawling to me if you get any worse." Roy stormed down the hall, hoping the reverse psychology worked.

"Roy, wait." Johnny started to go after his partner, but stopped when Roy kept walking.

"You don't understand..." Johnny whispered. He gave up trying to explain and started to slowly walk towards the upper deck.

~*~

Dixie saw Roy’s disgusted expression, even through the dim light of the hallway, and knew there was a problem.

"I can't believe him! He's near death, and wants to go on deck. Never mind that we took care of him. Never mind how we fussed. Never mind that we almost watched him die---" Roy stopped himself. "Sorry Dix."

Dixie began, "If you were cooped up in a room for several days, surrounded by sick people, attacked by a delirious man, whom you thought was your friend, and you didn't know who you were, let alone where you were, wouldn't you want a little air?"

"When you put it like that, it does make sense," Roy acknowledged.

"Just a small reminder, Roy, he's your partner, not your son." Roy ran a hand through his hair.

"You're right. I've been too much father and not enough friend."

"Why don't you give him a few minutes? You look like some air would do you good," Dixie suggested, patting his arm.

~*~

Johnny thought he'd never find his way back out. He was starting to feel weaker, when finally he happened upon the exit leading back to the deck. He walked outside into the fresh air and took a deep breath, wincing. Pain lanced through his lungs. It felt good to be outdoors, though. His legs felt like rubber, so he made his way over to the nearest lounge chair, and lay down. The breeze was so relaxing, and cool. He couldn't believe Roy was so mad at him! All he wanted to do is get some fresh air...and some food! Wait a minute, he thought, I never came crawling to him! At least that I can remember!

"Don't come crawling to me" Johnny mimicked. "He’s always telling me what to do..." Roy was right though, he hated to admit he really didn't feel very well. I hate that he's always right, too! He complained to himself. Maybe I'll just lay here for a minute and then go find some food, he thought, closing his eyes. Who needs him, anyway?

"Hey Junior," Roy sat down in the chair next to him. "You okay?" Johnny opened his eyes and looked over at his partner.

"You're not still mad at me?"

"No," said Roy. "In fact, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have treated you like a child. I guess I'm just tired, too."

Johnny looked down. "I'm sorry, too, Roy. I guess I should have listened. I just wanted…"

"...Fresh air, I know," Roy laughed. He waited a few seconds then turned to Johnny. "Come on, you ready to go back?" Johnny nodded and stood up slowly. Roy resisted the urge to try and help the obviously weakened man. Together, they started toward the doors. As they reached the top of the stairs, a wave of dizziness washed over Johnny; he lost his footing and pitched forward. Roy grabbed for Johnny as he rolled down the stairs, but all he caught was a fistful of air.

"JOHNNY!" Roy’s voice echoed in the small passageway. Hank and Mike heard Roy’s shout, and took off running. The two men reached the stairway and watched as Johnny tumbled down to the bottom of the steps. There wasn’t much they could do.

"Mike, run and get Dr. Brackett." Mike nodded and ran off to get the doctor. Stanley looked up the stairs to see a peaked looking paramedic descending. "You okay, Roy?" Roy nodded, kneeling down beside his friend. He began checking John’s neck and limbs for any possible broken bones. Satisfied with his initial assessment he sat back on his heels.

"You really need to get some sleep, Roy." His Captain instructed him.

"Cap, I know, but..."

"No buts, Roy, I’ll get a doctor to come take a look at you."

"Cap." Johnny began to moan and opened his eyes.

 "Roy, you look like crap." Roy smiled. The two men look up as Mike and Dr. Brackett approach. Dr. Brackett knelt down beside his paramedic.

"You had to find a use for those supplies, didn't you, hose jockey?" he asked, smiling. "What’s your assessment, Roy?"

"His pulse seems fast, but other than that I don’t find any broken bones or anything of that nature." The doctor started helping Johnny up. Roy and Hank supported Johnny under his arms as he stood.

"Can you three get him to bed? I've still got those tests to run. I'll send Dixie along in a few minutes." The three men nodded in unison, as the doctor turned to leave.

"I'm getting kind of sick of dragging you down the halls, Gage." Cap stated, grinning. They reached Johnny’s suite, and Hank fumbled with the door.

"I can make it to bed on my own," Johnny piped up. He was tired of being dragged.

"Yeah, right." Cap snorted. "Go to bed, DeSoto!" When Roy didn’t move, Cap put on his sternest face and commanded, "NOW!" Roy turned and went to the room across the hallway. Cap and Mike finally put Johnny to bed. The paramedic was so tired that he made no farther protest, and went straight to sleep.

"I'll keep an eye on him Cap. You go get some rest," Mike volunteered.

"Thanks Pal," Cap yawned, and started to leave.

"Be careful, Cap," Mike called after him. "You're the only one of us still standing." Mike pulled a chair up next to Johnny's side. Sitting down, he tried to make himself as comfortable as he could. He stretched out and put his feet up on the bed. He laid his head back and closed his eyes, wishing he could just cuff Gage to the bed and get a good night sleep. Dixie walked into the suite to check on John, almost running Captain Stanley over in the process.

"I’m going over to Roy’s room," he told her, "in case anyone needs me. I'll probably try to catch a few winks there."

"You look like you need some rest, don't worry about a thing." she assured him with a smile.

~*~

He stepped into Roy’s room, saw that Roy was sound asleep. That was fast, he thought. He was so exhausted that he even felt a little dizzy. All I need is some shuteye, he told himself. He lay down on the empty bed thinking over the events of the past few hours, the room started slowly spinning and he closed his eyes. A few minutes later he was asleep.
That's when he saw her!

~*~

Dixie looked at the sleeping Johnny. She sighed. She felt his forehead and shook her head. He was beginning to warm up, again. She placed a cool cloth on his head. During all her ministrations, John never moved. For that matter, neither did Mike. Dixie threw an extra blanket over Stoker, then went to get some rest herself... finally the night was quiet.

~*~

She was the most beautiful woman Hank ever saw. She had dark hair, lavender eyes, and she was dressed in a long flowing gown. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Hank," she said. Actually, it sounded more like a song. She had the most melodic voice he had ever heard. She put out her hand and motioned him to follow her. As if hypnotized, Hank found himself rising from the bed and following her out the door and down the corridor.

"Who are you?" he whispered, as he followed her on deck.

"I'm Jo..." she purred. Jo? Where have I heard that name? Hank remembered; that was the name John screamed in his nightmare.

"That's right!" she said, "I am your nightmare." And she started to laugh; a high maniacal pitched laugh. He cringed from the sound, but that didn't prepare him for the horrid sight as she turned to face him. Her skin looked as if it were burned to her face. Her eye sockets were bleeding... and her lips were gone...Hank screamed and backed away from the spectacle… and fell into the ship’s pool!

~*~

"What the…" Brackett had supervised the loading of supplies when he heard a loud splash. When Kel followed the noise and rounded a corner he saw Hank Stanley thrashing, screaming, and struggling in the swimming pool. Without hesitation, Brackett jumped in and dragged him out. Luckily, several crew members had heard the noise and came to investigate. They wrestled him to the ground. He was fighting for his life.

"Jo!" he was screaming.

"He's burning up. Let's get him over to the makeshift infirmary." Brackett ordered the men. The crew members carried Stanley to the room.

"Get Miss McCall, she should be right down the hall." A crew member ran to get Dixie, while an other helped the doctor get the wet clothes off Stanley. Chet Kelly looked up from the other bed.

"Did you see her?" he called to his frantic captain.

"Yes!" screamed Stanley.
 
 

Continued in Chapter Four

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