Sailing Away
CHAPTER TWO
Cap and Mike entered the bedroom of the suite. Neither one of them looked their best, but they still looked better than Johnny did. They walked over to the bed, but were careful to stay out of the doctor's way. Hank shook his head. "Something like this could only happen to Johnny. I was more worried about him falling overboard!" Roy looked up.
"I know what you mean," he said.
"Will he be okay, Doc?" asked Mike. The doctor did not look up from his work, but he answered kindly.
"I have to check out a few more things first. Could you wait in the other room, please?" Chet, Mike, Cap, and Roy went into the other room of the suite.
"So why is Gage here?" His Captain asked.
"He tossed me some Imodium AD before he left. I thought he had gone to check on you two. Chet's the one that told me about this." He indicated the room. The other men turned as one and looked at Chet.
Chet consciously took a step back, "Well, don't look at me! I didn't tell him to get a new room. He was ranting about you guys being contagious and off he went."
"Well, what did you let him go for, you twit?" yelled Cap. "You knew he was sick!"
"Yeah," mumbled Chet, "but he was the one who was contagious, and I didn't want to catch that. He really didn't seem that bad. You guys seemed a lot worse than he did."
"Look," Roy said, "this isn't Chet's fault. Although, Chet, you could have told us earlier."
"Oh, that's gratitude," griped Chet. "And to think I spent my whole day waiting on you guys..." the door to the bedroom opened and the doctor walked out. The arguing stopped, and everyone turned expectedly to the doctor.
He sighed, "Fellows, I'm afraid I don't have the facilities on board to handle this. We need to get him to a hospital as soon as possible."
Chet's eyes grew wide, "It's that bad?"
"Do you know what's wrong with him?" Hank asked the doctor.
"Well, I can't be sure, without running extensive tests," the doctor explained. "But I took his temperature again and it was up to 104," the doctor continued, "it will take a few hours to make all the arrangements, to get him off the ship to a hospital close by."
"I'll stay with him Doc," Roy offered.
"You'll need to watch him closely and let me know if there's any change."
"I understand," he assured the doctor. Roy went into the bedroom, sat down on the edge of the bed, and looked down at his partner. He shook his head and said softly "What am I gonna do with you?" He picked up the cloth on his forehead; it was already warm. "Chet, could you go cool this off for Me," he handed the cloth to Chet. Johnny began to move around. "Take it easy, Johnny." Roy said calmly.
"Roy?"
"I'm right here."
"Where's the girl?" he asked looking around the room.
"What girl?" Chet asked handing Roy the cold cloth.
"The one that was here, she was incredible! What'd you guys do with her?" Roy and Chet looked at each other and then looked back at their sick friend.
"Johnny, you have a high fever," Roy wiped Johnny's face with the cool cloth, "I think you were probably hallucinating. There wasn't any girl in here." Johnny looked at Roy unbelievingly.
"What is going on?" Johnny asked, trying to get comfortable.
"The doctor was here, and you're really sick. Your temp is 104 and he gave you a shot of Biaxin. He's talking about flying you back to a hospital."
"No! I feel okay! I'm only tired." He pleaded with Roy; "I don't want to leave!"
The door opened, Mike and Captain Stanley walked in.
"John, you won't be going alone. I'm sending Roy with you when they fly you back."
"I was going to suggest it anyway. I want to go home to my wife and kids. The next cruise I take will be with her!"
"Me too, Roy," Stanley said.
"Can I come with Joanne, too?" Chet asked, grinning from ear to ear.
"Go away, Chet," Roy shook his head.
The ship doctor entered the room grim-faced. "Are all you men from the same station?" All heads nodded in reply. "Which one of you is the Captain?"
Captain Stanley raised his hand. "Did you find out what is wrong with Johnny?" Cap asked.
"Yes, I did, and I'm afraid you'll have to stay here. We are quarantining this room"
"Doctor, what is it? What does he have?"
The doctor looks at each of the concerned men."Well, I have limited resources here on the ship, but my diagnosis is infectious legionellosis!"
"Excuse me?" Hank asked. "Infectious legionellosis, what's that?"
"It's a bacterial infection which could lead to pneumonia. His shallow breathing is a sign that his lungs are infected. The high fever, chills, and headache are all symptoms of legionellosis. I've never seen a case this bad before. We believe it's spread via water systems, like rivers, ponds, and creeks. He may have been exposed prior to coming on board, since there hasn't been an outbreak among others on board. But as a precaution, we are quarantining you five as well, since as a group, the chances of exposure among you are greatest."
"But we feel fine," said Chet.
"Nevertheless," the doctor sighed, "I have a large ship of people that I am responsible for. I can't take that chance." The doctor turned to leave, "The porters will be bringing your things up here, along with Mr. Lopez. We'll move him up here with you. In the meantime, we'll bring your food or drinks to you. I don't want you leaving this room. We do want you to be comfortable. I'll let you know when we finalized arrangements with the mainland to fly Mr. Gage out." He opened the door and left the four men to contemplate their situation.
"Nice job, Gage," Chet commented sadly. "Couldn't have a common cold, could you?" Johnny's response was cut off when his eyes rolled up and he lost consciousness again.
"Now look what you've done Kelly, you twit!" Hank admonished, looking down at the unconscious paramedic.
"Look what I"VE done?" Chet complained, "What about Gage? He's a one man, walking disaster!"
"Lay off, Chet." Roy said sternly.
"This is the kind of thing that could only happen to John Gage!" added Chet, "or maybe me, in the twilight zone. Which is where I feel sometimes when I'm with Johnny."
"You heard him Chet, lay off!" Mike spoke up, from the other side of John's bed.
There was a knock at the door.
"I'll get that," Hank stated. Hank opened the door. A sick Marco, the doctor, and several bus boys were standing there with their entire luggage.
"Captain." the doctor greeted. Marco walked unsteadily over to the couch, lay down, and closed his eyes. "We've run into a serious snag. It seems that with the little bout of salmonella, we have going, and the legionellosis, it's kind of difficult to distinguish between the two. Apparently, the state of California has a problem with the symptoms, " he explained. "They want to know how many are sick and which ones are sick with which disease. Basically, we're stuck out here."
"Great!" exclaimed Hank disgustedly. "So, now what do we do with Johnny?"
The doctor scratched his head. "Our supplies are pretty limited, but we're trying to obtain more medical supplies, like IV fluids, and medications. I'll come back to give Mr. Gage another shot of Biaxin in a few hours. Our IV fluids have been exhausted due to the dehydration from the food poisoning, so you'll have to do your best to get fluids into him."
"How do you expect him to drink if he's unconscious?" asked Roy, incredulous.
"Hold his head to the side and dribble water into his mouth with a cloth. If that doesn't work, I'll bring you up an eye dropper," replied the Doctor. He shrugged and looked helplessly at the assembled group. "That's about all that we can do until we get re-supplied." He glanced at Marco; "You've probably got the same thing." He opened his bag and removed a syringe. "I think you'd feel more comfortable if we did this in the bathroom."
Marco looked curiously at the doctor. "The bathroom?"
"Yes," said the doctor. "Penicillin is absorbed better in the..." glancing behind him, indicating his posterior region. "It won't hurt so much."
"Great," growled Marco, as he pushed himself off of the couch. Chet snorted.
Marco glared at the short Irishman; the doctor spoke up quickly. "Hold that thought, you're next."
"Why me?" sputtered Chet.
"You've all been exposed, and two of you are symptomatic. You're getting a dose for good measure." The doctor grinned.
"Great! Wonderful! This is the best vacation of my life!" shrieked Chet, looking for a way out of the room. "I can't wait to go on another cruise!" He headed for the door, only Captain Stanley stepped in front of him preventing his escape.
"Shut up, Chet. It's not our idea of paradise either, you know." Cap stated, looking into the intense blue eyes. Chet carried on like he hadn't heard him.
"I don't know why this stuff happens to me! I won't get sick! I feel fine, and I still have to get stuck in the -" Cap broke off Chet's tirade.
"Settle down Chet, or I'll arrange for you to clean all the toilets on board this ship." The look on Stanley's face made Chet swallow the rest of his words. He could see in Cap's eyes that he was serious. He still couldn't resist muttering after Stanley turned his back.
"We should have left Johnny at home. It's his fault. I could have gotten the girls this trip." Stanley slowly turned, with fire in his eyes, ready to dispense a Captain's justice, while both Mike and Roy opened their mouth's to chastise the Irishman.
All movement and noise ceased when they heard the bathroom door click open. Marco entered the room, trying to inconspicuously rub a certain part of his anatomy. He was followed by the doctor, who had the gall to ask,
"Next?" he looked directly at Chet. The three men that had been arguing with the Irishman glared at him, daring him to say anything.
"Some vacation," Chet mumbled. "I'll remember this guys," Chet assured them, "if I live through it." He followed the doctor into the bathroom.
"I just don't know what to make of all this" Hank confessed. "What do you think Roy?"
"Well, antibiotics usually work against a bacterial illness," he explained. "Hopefully, if we have begun to contract anything, this shot will start to fight it right away."
"Does that mean if Gage starts getting better, this will all be over?" Mike asked.
'Wow, Stoker must be worried about this,' Roy thought.
"That would be nice," Roy smiled, "but it's hard to draw any conclusions based on whether Johnny gets better."
"OUCH!" Chet yelled from the bathroom. The three men looked at each other grinning, each hoping the doctor would be a little more gentle when it was their turn!
Chet limped out of the bathroom,
"Next" he called, trying to be inconspicuous as well.
~*~
When the doctor administered the last injection, he went into the bedroom and checked on his first patient.
"Not much change I'm afraid. I don't like the sound of his lungs." The frustrated doctor ran his hands through his hair. "I'm going to bring some oxygen to the room for him. Mr. DeSoto, you'll call me if there's any change?"
"Sure," Roy assured him.
"I'm going to check on the supplies from the mainland and get back with you." He turned and went to the front door. Cap placed his hand on John's forehead.
"Well, if we were frying an egg, I think we could use his forehead," Cap commented. Roy sighed, angry, and frustrated that the circumstances had left him so helpless. On the bed, John shivered with chills, and he began to moan. Roy wet the cloth again and wiped his face. John tried to fight the measures, but lacked the strength to be effective.
"Damn it," swore Roy.
"Come on, pal," said Cap. "John will pull through this. He's tougher than he looks."
"But Cap, he needs to be in a hospital where they can give him proper treatment. I can't believe they won't get him off this ship." All the others looked down. Everyone knew Roy was right. Even Chet was uncharacteristically silent. A moan from the bed drew their attention. Roy turned to his sick partner. "Johnny?"
"Roy," John rasped. "Are we in a fire? It's so hot."
"No, pal," said Roy, wetting down the cloth again, "you've got a high fever."
"Can't breathe," said Johnny. Then suddenly he began to convulse.
"Febrile seizures!" yelled Roy. "Cap, get the doctor, and hurry!" Captain Stanley turned and ran into the hallway. Roy turned all his attention to his ailing partner.
"Chet," yelled Roy, "go into the bathroom and get every towel you can find. Wet them down. Not cold but cool." Chet nodded and hurried from the room. "Mike, help me get him stripped." Roy and Mike finished their task, stripping the ailing paramedic; Chet returned with an armful of soaked, dripping towels. "Get them on him." Roy ordered grabbing a towel and throwing it across his partner. Mike and Chet followed his example.
As the wet towels covered him Johnny slowly stopped convulsing but started shivering violently. Roy felt bad for his friend but knew there was a greater danger in not lowering his body temperature. Cap returned at that moment.
"The doctor wasn't back to his office yet but they're gonna page him and send him here."
"Good. Chet, go to the bar, see if there is any ice in it. Cap run into the bathroom and bring me one of the wash clothes soaked, I want to see if I can get some cool water into his system." Chet and Cap both nodded, setting out to do as they were asked. Roy shifted his attention back to Johnny who lay shivering and moaning softly. "Hang in there Junior." Roy whispered. 'This is not good', he thought. 'Who would have thought such a great vacation would turn into hell?'
Suddenly he heard his partner groan, and was followed by a tiny whisper. "Roy... really...hot..."
~*~
Rampart Hospital:
Dr. Kel Brackett shook his head. "I just don't like it, Dix," he said. "That cruise ship has a possible infectious disease on board, not to mention how ill Johnny is." Since the ship was still closest to LA, the Coast Guard had notified Rampart of the situation. While they were waiting for further word on the condition of the passengers, Dixie McCall was packing medical supplies to send to the ship.
"I know, Kel," Dixie sighed. "But what can we do?"
"I know what I can't do, Dixie, and that's sit here and let those people get sicker. If the source of that infection is on that ship, this will get a lot worse before it gets better.
It's a lot to expect one cruise ship doctor to handle. I'm going to arrange a triage team to fly to that ship."
"Kel, they quarantined that ship."
"Well, I guess I'll have to take my chances with those passengers. They deserve proper medical attention. I'm going to see they get it." Brackett declared.
Dixie looked solemnly at Dr. Brackett, "And I'm going with you."
~*~
"Oh Johnny, I know you are. I am so sorry." Roy wipes a cold cloth on his face. Cap brings the wet wash cloth.
"Here you go Roy,"
"Thanks, Cap," Roy took the cloth and put it up to Johnny's parched lips.
"Think that'll work?"
"Don't know, won't hurt to try. I think another injection might help."
"Roy, can we not mention that word for a while?" Cap rubbed on his hip. Roy laughed.
"I know what you mean, Cap. My hip is a little stiff, too. Would you do me a favor, bring me a large glass of water, some salt, and the thermometer?"
"Roy, why don't we put him in the bathtub and fill it with cold water?" Mike asked.
"Can't do that, the sudden temperature change would send him into shock." There was a knock at the door and Chet opened it. The doctor entered with his arms full of supplies. Chet took several items and put them down on one of the many tables in the room.
"How is he doing?" he asked, stepping up to the bedside.
Roy stood and stepped out of his way. "Not very well, Doc. He's delirious and complaining of being hot. When do we get him out of here?"
"We can't. I spoke with a Doctor Brackett, and he's flying out here with a triage team and lots of supplies. I'm going to start a saline IV, and give him another injection of Biaxin. How are the rest of you feeling?" Roy replies,
"I am doing okay. Where did you find another IV?"
"I had one bag left. When I spoke with Dr. Brackett, he told me to give Johnny a Vitamin B12 shot along with another Biaxin treatment. Mr. Lopez, how are you feeling?"
Marco tried to smile but his head was pounding and his stomach was rolling. Cap put his hand against Marco's head. "Marco, why didn't you say anything?"
"I'm okay, Cap, honest." The doctor took out a thermometer and stuck it into Marco's mouth.
"Chet, how are you feeling?" Chet frowned,
"I am fine!" Marco weakly smiled, removing the thermometer from his mouth. "Doc, I'm okay. You don't need to worry about me."
The doctor looked at him. "Marco, keep that thermometer in your mouth or I'll have to put it elsewhere." Marco quickly inserted the thermometer back into his mouth, clamping down tightly with his lips. The other alternative wasn't even an option.
"Hank? Mike? How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Mike responded quickly.
"Great" Cap responded right behind Mike.
"Okay, Roy if you'll start this IV, I'll check on Marco." The doctor handed the IV bag over to Roy, took the thermometer out of Marco's mouth, and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to stick with the story that you are feeling fine?"
"What's his temp, Doc?" asked a concerned Capt. Stanley
"103. Come on Marco, and let's go in the other bedroom. You are gonna need to lay down for this."
Marco's eyes went wide with fear. "Why? What are you going to do to me?"
"Have you ever had a Vitamin B12 shot?"
"No, does it hurt?"
Chet snorted and replied, "Only if you try to sit down for the next week." I''m not sick and he's not giving me one of those awful shots.' Chet thought to himself.
The doctor looked at Chet, ready to respond, but Roy interrupted. "Doc, the IV is in."
"Okay, I will be back in a few minutes. Come on Marco," He started to walk out of the room, with Marco reluctantly following. The doctor turned to smile at Chet, giving him a long, knowing look.
Cap cleared his throat. "Let's give Roy some room to work here, shall, we?" He, Chet, and Mike stepped into the corner, so that they were out of the way.
"I think I gonna check the name on this boat again. It has to be the Titanic, or maybe the Lucitania." complained Chet to the others.
"Shut up!" said Mike with surprising force. "Do you want to jinx us any more than we already are?"
Chet snorted for the umpteenth time that day. "It would probably be a whole lot more fun to run into an iceberg. What's next?"
"I should have thrown you over the gang-plank when we arrived!" Mike, now even angrier, took a step toward Chet and poked his finger in his chest. "We should have laid off Gage and thrown you overboard!"
Cap spoke up. "Good idea there, Pal. You grab his arms and I'll get his legs." Chet's mouth dropped open in horror, as Mike reached for his arm. Captain Stanley approached the complaining fireman, when the Doctor entered the room.
Captain Stanley asked about his men. "How are Marco, and Johnny?" Before the doctor answered, the phone rang and Mike answered it.
"Hello? OK...I will tell him," Mike hung up the phone and looked at the doctor. "That was Captain Kurk. The ETA for the helicopter carrying the medical team is 5 minutes. He wants you to meet him on the top deck."
"Okay. I'll be back shortly." The doctor turned to leave, then looked back at Chet. "Don't go anywhere, Chet." Smiling, the doctor walks out of the room.
~*~
Meanwhile: Dr. Kelly Brackett, after some amount of resistance from officials, was able to pull enough strings to get a chopper, and permission to transport himself, his team, and the needed supplies aboard the cruise ship. The ship's crew had secured a section on one of the decks for the coast guard chopper to lower the team and supplies. The officials met the Doctor and his team.
"Hello, Dr. Brackett, I'm Captain Kurk, and this is Dr. Ross, the ship's doctor," the Captain said, holding out his hand. Kel grasped the Captain's hand, firmly shaking it, introducing himself, Dix and the rest of the team.
"Well, we'd better get started," Kel said, not wanting to waste any more precious time. "I'd like to see my paramedics first, if you don't mind." he added.
"I understand, right this way," Dr. Ross complied, leading Dr. Brackett and the rest of the team off of the ship's deck.
~*~
Leaving the rest of the team behind to secure the supplies Dr. Brackett and Dixie followed Dr. Ross to the VIP suite where the men of 51 were located.
Dr. Ross was explaining as they entered the suite. "Only Mr. Lopez and Mr. Gage are symptomatic at this point. Mr. Lopez is running a high fever as well, but he isn't as dehydrated as Mr. Gage." The rest of station 51 seemed to be in one piece, for now. He quickly started to work.
"Let's see Johnny first." Brackett suggested. As Dixie moved to take over Roy's attempts at cooling his friend, Dr. Brackett asked his healthier Paramedic for an update.
"He's been drifting in and out of consciousness," Roy answered. "The IV has helped some with the dehydration but it's almost gone. I've been trying to get his temperature down and get some fluids into him but he's hardly awake long enough to get him to swallow."
"Let me take a look..." Brackett moved to the bedside and took hold of Gage's wrist. Johnny stirred, slowly opening bleary eyes. It took another moment until he could focus enough to make out the faces surrounding him.
"Dixie? Doc? ... Am I at Rampart?"
"No Johnny" Brackett responded with a slight smile. "We're on the ship. You know, if you wanted us to join you that badly you could have just sent an invitation." Johnny smiled weakly; unable to keep his eyes open any longer.
"Sorry." he mumbled softly.
"Just don't you worry about it," Dixie assured him. "We certainly couldn't let anything happen to one of our best Paramedics now, could we?"
Captain Stanley, Chet, and Mike paced the room waiting for the medical team. There was a soft knock on the door. Captain Stanley, being the closest to the door opened it. Chet's face dropped. There, leaning against the door jam, was Craig Brice. He looked worse than Marco did. Chet and Mike hurried over to catch him before he hit the ground. Cap shook his head in unbelief. Chet and Mike helped Craig over to the couch and lay him down. He weakly said,
"Bellingham is right behind me," and proceeded to pass out. Chet and Mike looked at each other, then stepped out into the hallway. There lying on the floor was 'the animal' Bellingham. They helped him into the room and sat him up in one of the chairs.
"Cap, we don't have the accommodations for all of these sick people." Chet complained, stepping over to his captain. "Where are we, the not so sick people, gonna sleep?" Stanley stepped up to Chet and looked down into his blue eyes.
"CHESTER B. KELLY, I don't think you'll have any problem finding a place to sleep tonight. I think you, sir will be sleeping with the fishes!" He grabbed his arm. "Mike, would you like to help me?"
"Gladly, sir." He took the other arm, and they started out the door.
"But..." Chet stuttered, planting his feet against the doorway.
"What Chet? I have to do what my superior says, don't I?" Mike gave Chet an evil grin.
"This must be the fever, Mike, I thought you really liked me," Chet asked, seeing a wild man behind Mike's eyes.
"Chet, I've never liked you. You're to short!" He grinned down into the Irishman's blue eyes. "Besides, I've always wanted to yell," Mike cupped his free hand over his mouth, "MAN OVERBOARD!" The two men pushed Chet threw the doorway and the three of them ran into the medical team, causing all involved fall to the deck. Cap, Mike, Chet, and the medical team picked themselves up off the floor.
"What's going on?" Dr. Ross demanded. "Has something happened?"
"We've got two more guys sick in there," Stanley answered indicating the room. "Brice and Bellingham."
"Is Chet sick too?" Ross inquired noting the death grip Mike Stoker had on the other firefighter's arm.
"No," the captain said with a wicked smile. "Just annoying. We've decided to throw him overboard."
Ross caught the wink and nodded his head. "I see. Well, one less person on board means more supplies for the others. Only, do it right. I don't want to have to clean up the mess if you don't"
"No problem," Mike replied. Chet listened to the exchange open mouthed. Surely, this was a trick. Or maybe he WAS sick and having delusions. He didn't have long to consider which, as Cap and Mike drug him through the doors, onto the deck and over to the railing.
"Ready Mike?" Stanley asked, tightening his grip on Kelly's arm.
"When you are, sir," was the reply. Both lifted and Chet felt his feet leaving the deck before he found his voice.
"Wait!" It was intended as a shout but came out a squeak. "You can't do this! I'll do anything, I promise!" Cap nodded at Mike and they relaxed enough that Chet was once more on his feet.
"Anything?" Stanley asked.
"Anything," Chet promised.
"Alright... You will NOT, under any circumstances, utter one more complaint about the situation. We have very sick people to take care of and that need our help, and not your whining." Chet nodded his understanding and agreement. "AND you will do WHATEVER is asked of you without delay or argument. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly," Chet assured him, nodding at Mike too for good measure.
"Good," Captain Stanley looked at both his men, fighting not to laugh as he exchanged glances with Mike. "Then let's get back there and see what we can do to help the doctors."
Hank and Mike headed back to the suite with Chet trailing behind. Not quite sure what to make of the Captain and the engineer. When they entered the cabin, they couldn't believe their eyes. In the short time they'd been gone, the suite had become a triage unit, with sick and moaning fire fighters stretched out all over the floor. Some already sprouting IV tubes, and others being assessed by the medical personnel, who were now wearing surgical masks over their faces.
"Oh great!" Chet exclaimed, "Now they break out the masks!"
"Kelly!" Hank warned.
"Sorry Cap, only making an observation," Chet quickly responded. Chet sighed with relief when the Captain nodded his understanding.
"I'm going to go and see how Marco and Johnny are doing." Mike said, as he headed toward the bedroom, stepping over some of the sick people on the floor.
"Right behind you, pal," Cap said as he turned to follow.
"This is worse than a nightmare!" Chet said as he stared, disbelieving of the drama surrounding him.
"Or maybe a B-Movie Love Boat episode," whispered Mike over his shoulder to his Captain. Hank snickered with his engineer.
~*~
In the master bedroom, where the sickest of patients were being kept, Johnny started coming around. He slowly opened his eyes to look into the most beautiful lavender eyes he had ever seen.
"Hello, there sleepy head," the dark haired nurse, commented taking the washcloth off of his forehead, and put it in the bowl beside the bed.
"Hello, are you the ship nurse?" Johnny asked.
"Oh, no, I've come out here with Dr. Brackett and Dixie." She wrung out the cloth in the cool water.
"You work at Rampart?" He was surprised. Usually he knew all about the new nurses coming on staff.
"Today is my first official day," her voice sounded like she had just swallowed warm honey.
"Wow," was all Johnny could say. "What's your name?" Her face lit with a big smile.
"I've heard stories about you, Mr. Gage."
"Aw, don't believe what others say. You have to experience the Gage charm for yourself."
"You really want to know my name?" She put the washcloth back on his forehead.
"More than life it's self."
"You'll laugh," she smiled a sweet smile.
"No I won't. I promise."
"Okay, it's Jo,"
"Why would I laugh?" said Johnny. "Jo is my favorite name!"
She laughed, "Ah, so the stories are true!" Johnny tried his best to look hurt,
"Now come on, don't believe everything you hear."
"But I liked what I heard. It's why I took this assignment. I wanted to meet you," Jo looked seductively at Johnny.
"You wanted to meet me? I'm not even at my best," Johnny smiled. "I must look like death."
"Why Johnny," Jo purred as she leaned in close to his face. "Death's my favorite look..." As she spoke, her dark hair slowly turned into a mass of writhing snakes, the lavender eyes became empty black pools and Johnny watched horrified as her flesh slowly aged and fell from her very skull. Johnny began to scream and thrash violently around, desperate to escape the horrid image only he saw.
Dixie was taken by surprise by Johnny's sudden combativeness, as he landed a blow to the side of her face. Stunned momentarily, she recovered her poise and yelled for help, but not before Johnny had managed to pull out both IV's. "Damn, Johnny," she swore softly, as she fought to hold down his arms. "It took me forever to find those veins." Alarmed by the blood curdling screams and Dixie's cry for assistance, Roy, and Dr. Brackett came running.
"What happened?" said Brackett, as the two men restrained Johnny.
"I'd say fever dreams, and delirium!" said Dixie, as she readied 2 new IV's.
"Someone get us a cooling blanket," yelled Brackett. He looked at Roy, and Dixie. "Great! What are we going to use now to restrain his arms? With what little supplies we have, we can't have him ripping out IV's."
As Cap and Mike entered the room, they were treated to the sight of Roy and Dr. Brackett trying to hold Johnny down while Dixie inserted first one, and then another IV. They ran over and to help.
"We're here, Junior. Take it easy." Roy attempted to soothe his partner, although he knew Johnny probably couldn't hear him. Finally, the IV's were in.
"I'll go get some more supplies." Dixie sighed, then quickly left the room.
"Keep holding him down guys," Kel said, as he released his hold on Johnny. "I'll find something for this." Kel left the room to look for some way to restrain his patient.
As Dr. Brackett left the room, Chet appeared at the door, with his shirt pulled up over his mouth and nose. "Can I help?" he asked. Cap turned his attention from his ailing paramedic.
"Chet!" he roared. Unfortunately, that set Johnny off, and the three men had to struggle to keep their hold on him. Hank really wanted to wrap his hands around Chet's scrawny neck but had to settle for glaring at the Irishman. Chet didn't notice the glaring from his fellow firefighters. His shirt had fallen down from his nose and he was trying to pull it back up with his teeth. Mike shook his head.
Chet looked up. He defended himself sheepishly. "It's not a crack! They didn't have any masks. I asked!"
Roy spoke up. "Quiet. You're going to upset him again."
Dr. Brackett entered the room. "I think I found a way to restrain him." Kel had a hospital gown and a large belt. "Let's get this on him so he isn't exposed to the whole world. I borrowed Bellingham's belt. It's large enough to wrap around Johnny and hold both his arms to his side." The men all help Dr. Brackett with his idea. When they finish, they notice Chet standing over to the side with his shirt pulled up over his face.
"Dr. Brackett, Chet has to stay here, but he is scared to death he is gonna catch something. Is there anything you can give him?"
"Chet, didn't the doctor give you all a penicillin shot?" Kel asks. Chet nodded.
"Yes."
"That should help," Dr. Brackett thought for a minute before replying, "Okay, look. All of you have received a penicillin shot, right?" They all nodded and grimaced. "Okay. Roy, did the doctor get a blood sample from everyone?"
Dixie entered the room. "No. He didn't have the equipment or supplies to do it."
"Okay. Dixie, take Roy, Chet, Mike, and Hank in the other room and take a blood sample and them take it to Jason for testing. Also, I want a throat culture, and," whispers something to Dixie, who smiled, "tell him I need the results STAT."
"Okay, will do. Boys, let's go in the kitchen where the table is." Dixie picked up the supplies and everyone followed her in to the small kitchen. Chet followed reluctantly, with Hank pushing him to move faster. "Sit down, push up your sleeves, gentlemen and relax. I'll start with Roy, then Chet, then Mike, then Hank. When that's done, I will get a throat culture from each of you." Dixie moved over to Roy, and swabbed him down. When she finished with him, she turned towards Chet.
"Dixie, may I make a suggestion?" Hank asks.
"Sure. What is it?"
"You may need our help." Nodding towards Chet, who was trying to be inconspicuous slowly backing out of the room.
"Big tough fireman like you, afraid of a little ol' needle," Dix teased Chet.
"Who's afraid? I'm not afraid," Chet protested.
"I just don't see the point of it all!"
"Well you will in a second," Mike quipped.
"Oh that's real funny Stoker! Now you're a comedian too, huh?" Chet retorted.
"Could you guys use anymore help around here?" came a voice from the doorway.
"Dwyer!" Roy called out. "Charlie," he said, noticing Dwyer's partner standing behind him. "Where've you guys been?"
"Well," he began, "we were sort of taking advantage of the fact that we are on a cruise! You know you're supposed to have a good time on a cruise." He gave the fellas a sly grin.
"Actually, we had no idea any of this was going on," Charlie confessed.
"Wow, you guys have all the luck!" Chet groaned, cried out, "Ouch! Dix that hurt!" Dixie just smiled at him innocently. It always amused her how these guys could get blown out of a 2nd story window and claim to be fine, but when it came to a little needle they'd turn to Jell-O.
"We need all the help we can get guys, thanks!" said Dr. Brackett, entering the kitchen to check on Dixie's progress with the blood.
"Yeah," Dixie agreed with a smile, "wade on in!"
"Where's Johnny?" Dwyer asked.
"He's probably out taking advantage of being on a cruise, too!" Charlie said, nodding his head.
"No," Roy paused for a moment looking down, "Johnny's not doing too good guys," he said softly.
"He's the reason we're all here in the first place," Chet chimed in, rubbing his arm.
"Mind if we go look in on him?" Charlie asked.
"No, go ahead boys," Dr. Brackett told them, "he's over in the bedroom."
"Okay, We'll just say hi and then we'll see what needs to be done," Dwyer told them.
"I don't think he'd hear you," said Roy.
"He's that bad?" asked Dwyer.
"Yeah," Roy sighed, an awkward silence filled the room between the men.
"Well, I guess we'd better be going," said Charlie, shoving Dwyer out towards the patients.
"Ow! I didn't know. Stop hitting me in the head!" Chet giggled. Finally, someone else was getting it.
Dixie smiled. "Oh good. It will be much easier to give you the enema if you're in a good mood."
"ENEMA!" screeched Chet. "Who said anything about an enema?" The guys all roared with laughter, a much-needed release from tension.
As they left the room, Cap turned to Dixie. "Keep that idea handy, Ms. McCall. We may need it," jerking his thumb towards Chet.
"You got it," Dixie grinned at him in return. They entered the bedroom where Marco and Johnny lay. Marco, at least, was lucid.
"Hi guys."
"Feeling any better at all?" asked Mike.
"A tiny bit. How's Johnny?" Marco's voice sounded raspy.
"There's not much change," said Roy. He looked over at his partner.
"Can we get you anything, Pal?" Cap asked.
"I think some water would be great," Marco looked as if he were going to go to sleep.
"I'll get it," said Chet. He went off without complaining.
"There's a first," muttered Cap.
~*~
Johnny groaned as the fog in his brain lifted. His head felt like it was being squeezed in a giant vice. Slowly he peeled his eyes open.
"Come on, sleepy head," said Roy. "It's your turn to make breakfast."
The dorm... he was in the dorm. Man, that was some dream, must have come from this headache. Then he remembered... a fire. They were fighting a fire, and it was so hot. He must have inhaled smoke, and that's why his head felt like this. Yeah, that was it. His chest still felt constricted. He shook his head to clear it, but that was a mistake. Slowly, he followed Roy into the locker room.
"Sleeping in, Gage?" asked Cap.
"Well, he does need about 8 more years of beauty sleep, " Chet quipped.
"Shut up, Chet," said John. "Man, I just had the strangest dream."
"Uh-oh," said Kelly. "Must have been Marco's burritos."
"I'm with John. Shut up, Chet," said Marco. Johnny ignored them and continued talking about his dream.
"We were all on a cruise ship, and you guys were razzing me about getting sea sick, so I took pills... but I took too many, and then Roy got sick, everyone but Chet. Then I got a luxury cabin. But I got sick, and there was a beautiful girl."
"Even sick, he gets beautiful girls," joked Marco.
"And Brackett was there, and Dixie... man, what a strange dream!"
"From a strange mind," laughed Chet. Everyone had a good laugh. Then Roy looked at him.
"
It looks like you're awake now, Johnny. Johnny, talk to me Johnny..." Johnny opened his eyes, slowly focusing on the worried faces of Roy and the Cap floating above him.
"Dream?" Johnny whispered hoarsely, looking up at Roy. Why is my mouth so dry? He wondered, and my throat is on fire! He saw Roy's mouth moving but couldn't make out what he was saying. He slowly realized that the pounding in his head, the pain in his chest, and the burning in his throat were not a dream. "Water." He struggled to say. Roy lifted his partner's shoulders forward and rearranged his pillow to prop him up a little.
"Here, let's try ice chips first." He said, as he scooped ice chips from the bucket. Johnny tried to reach for the spoon, but Roy said, "Let me do it, Johnny." Boy, I must be REALLY sick, he thought, Roy's not even mad at me!
"You're giving us quite a scare, pal," Hank told the young paramedic. Johnny looked at him in confusion, not able to remember what he'd done to scare anyone. The ice chips had quickly melted in his mouth so he looked up at Roy,
"More," he whispered.
"Sure thing, partner," Roy smiled. Hoping that Johnny was finally taking a turn for the better. Cap turned to Mike.
"Why don't you go see if you can find Dr. Brackett and tell him John's awake?"
"Sure thing Cap," Mike left the room. Roy continued to give Johnny the ice chips. He weakly accepted them, not trying to say anything more, because of the sore throat. Cap was still worried; he didn't usually fidget.
"This is a good sign, isn't it Roy?"
"Yeah," said Roy. "Any liquids that he can keep down can only help him." Johnny sighed and turned away.
"Water." He mumbled again.
"I'll get it," said Cap, happy to finally have something to do. Johnny gradually became aware of his bonds. He struggled weakly.
"What?" he gasped, weakly lifting his hands.
"Sorry about that junior. You were a little too active. If you think you can behave we'll get those off." Johnny didn't reply. Roy put his hand up to his forehead. Dr. Brackett entered the room, followed by Dixie.
"How's he doing, Roy?" he asked.
"I was just going to get a temp," he moved out of the way, so that Dixie could insert a thermometer into Johnny's mouth.
"Hot," said Johnny, dislodging the thermometer. Dixie replaced it, admonishing Johnny to lie still. Johnny lay back on the pillow. His thoughts were so cloudy. The room looked strange, not like the cabin he shared with Chet. Try as he might, he couldn't remember anything past taking a seasickness pill and lying down. Dixie removed the thermometer.
"103, a definite step in the right direction," she said. She sounded relieved. Johnny frowned,
"High." His voice was low and raspy.
"It was over 105 at one point, John," Brackett explained. "We sure would like to see it lower, though." He glanced at Roy and Dixie. John started coughing. God, his chest hurt. Just about everything did. Plus the coughing made him dizzy and the room spun. Brackett checked his lungs. "His lungs are congested," Brackett frowned. "Hang another antibiotic IV, Dix. Roy, can you bring an oxygen mask over? Johnny, just try to relax."
"Water?" John asked. Brackett nodded at Cap, who reached over to the ice chips. He gave Johnny a spoonful of ice. Dixie came back from the makeshift supply area empty-handed.
"Bad news, Kel," she said. "We went through our last anti-biotic. We didn't count on this many infected people." Dr. Brackett took a deep breath, trying not to explode.
"This is ridiculous! We need to get these people to Rampart." Mike Stoker came running into the bedroom.
"We need some help out there. An ugly crowd is rioting on deck. They want off this cruise before they get sick. One of them knocked Chet out!" Captain Stanley and his engineer exit the room, heading for the deck.
They heard the last of Captain Kurk's words as they approach, ".... and the ship is headed back to Los Angeles. We turned around about two hours ago. We should be there soon. Now, if everyone will please return to his or her rooms. Everyone will receive a full refund, but, please remember to go to your family doctor after we dock."
The two men from Station 51 stepped aside and watched the crowd leave. Dwyer and Charlie helped a bloody-faced Chet up off of the deck. The two paramedics helped Chet over to his friends, and the five men headed back to the makeshift hospital.
As they step into the room, all heads turn. Dr. Brackett shakes his head in disbelief. "Chet, you are supposed to be resting, not fighting. Dixie, can you clean up his face?"
She nodded. "By the way, did you ever get those throat cultures?"
"No, Kel, I haven't had time."
"How long before we get back to LA?" Hank replies,
"A couple of hours is what Capt. Kurk said."
"OK, we'll do the throat cultures here. Don't give Dix a hard time about it either. And whatever you do, don't throw up on her!" Dixie smiled at Kel,
"Okay, Chet, let me see your face," she started cleaning up his face. He had a small cut over his left eye. When she finished, she smiled at the irritated Irishman. "Okay, Chet you're good to go." Dixie got the equipment for the throat cultures and headed for the sickest patient's first. Roy was sitting beside Johnny wiping his face. "Roy, I need your help. You're going to have to hold his mouth open so that I can get a culture." Roy nodded, placing his thumbs on Johnny's chin, pulling it down. Johnny began squirming. Roy repositioned himself to get a better hold, and suddenly felt something wet on his knee.
"Uh, Houston! We have a problem!" Roy commented.
"Somebody we need a dry gown and a washcloth," Dixie commanded.
~*~
Meanwhile, Cap looked at the wounded Chet. He couldn't resist. "It sure was brave of you to throw your face in front of that guys fist." Mike and Marco laughed right along with Cap. Chet, still holding his eye, was not amused.
"Why don't you just shut-" He stopped when he remembered who he was talking to. Dixie came in with the throat cultures.
"All right, doctor's orders. Who's first?" The men all groaned. They were tired of being poked and prodded. Now they would have to start gagging. Chet spoke up.
"I went first last time."
"No you didn't" corrected Mike. "I'll go first." Dixie stepped up to Mike.
Chet watched. "I guess every part of my body is going to be sorry it came on this trip."
"I can arrange it. Still got that enema, Dixie?" asked Stanley, with a gleam in his eye. Chet wasn't keeping up his part of the bargain. Chet noticed the look on his captain's face.
"Uh, Miss. McCall? How's Johnny?" He asked. He hadn't seen his pigeon for a while, and besides, he needed to call attention to someone other than himself.
"He's ... all wet," said Dixie.
"Is that a good sign?" asked Chet. Dixie swallowed her laugh and started coughing. Mike patted her on the back.
"Well, Chet, he's a little better..." Dixie said after her coughing was done. She left it at that. No need to humiliate Johnny in front of these guys. She hoped Roy wouldn't spill the beans. That's when the senior paramedic came over.
"Haven't had that happen to me in a few years," Roy stated to Dixie, remembering the last time, when he had changed his son's diapers. Roy grinned knowingly at the nurse and she returned the smile. He'd never say a word and he knew Dix wouldn't either.
"I hear Johnny's doing better!" Chet remarked.
"Yeah, his temps down," the paramedic replied with relief, "he's still pretty 'out of it' though."
"Well that's great! That means he's getting better, right?" Chet asked anxiously.
"Yeah, it's a pretty good sign, Chet," Roy assured.
"Why Chet, you weren't worried about Johnny, were you?" Dixie asked.
"No," he insisted, "I wasn't worried, I just didn't wanna have to br..."
"break in a new pigeon." they all chimed in, laughing.
"Well, yeah...that's all!" Dixie looked at Chet, and smiled.
"Chet, since you are in a good mood, come on and lets get this throat culture over with." Chet stood there a minute, and then replied, "okay, but let me go to the bathroom first, please." Dixie smiled and said,
"Okay, but hurry up." Chet moved toward the bathroom, making a quick dash for freedom, grabbed the doorknob to the hallway. Behind him, he heard his Captain's aggravated yell,
"KELLY! GET BACK HERE!" But Chet had one thing on his mind: FREEDOM. He wanted to get back to his cabin so could have a moment of peace, knowing he would be in big trouble when they found him. Cap might put him on something worse than latrine duty when they got back.
Or Cap would make Dixie do what he had feared all along, the dreaded enema. The throat culture would be bad enough. He remembered throwing up on some doctor the last time it had happened. Somewhat out of breath from running through the corridors, Chet ran into his cabin, slamming and locking the door. It wouldn't stop them forever but it might slow them down enough to let him devise a way out of his current predicament.
"Oh, Damn," Chet muttered, remembering Roy still had a set of keys to the cabin. Maybe he'd be too concerned with Johnny to remember........
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