By Casey, Rookie Carol, Nancy the Nifty Lady, Lisa D, Fess, Mrs. S, Pat, Rick C, L.Knoll, Sheryl, Sue, Alice, Kathy, Starbuck, KC, and Laura.
Estelle smiled. She remembered the last family gathering when Marco complained how strange his Captain got whenever the Chief showed up.
"Come on Estelle, let's get cooking," Marco suggested, moving her towards the counter. Estelle nodded and followed.
"Do you have an apron I can use?" she asked. Marco opened a drawer and removed a bar-b-que apron; with "Kiss the Cook" branded on the front. As she slipped the neckpiece over her head, Marco noted that it was longer than the skirt that she wore. Taking a deep breath and releasing a pent-up sigh, Marco began cutting onions.
~*~
Dixie looked down at Johnny's sleeping form. He had been moved from recovery to the ICU only a short while ago. He looked so pale against the white of the sheets. The endless assortment of tubes and wires monitoring his vitals seemed to have him wired up like a Christmas tree. She brushed the hair off Johnny's forehead, and turned her head as the door opened.
"I should have known I'd find you in here." Kel Brackett whispered, as he came into the room, still dressed in his scrubs. "You've been off duty for an hour now, why don't you go home and get some rest?" It seemed like more of an order than a request, but she slowly shook her head and continued to fuss over Johnny's still form.
"I don't want him to wake up by himself. You know how he is when he comes out of the anesthetic. Someone should be here." She stepped over to Kel and touched his chest with her hand. "I'm going to go call Roy and let him know Johnny's in a room. I haven't called him since he came out of surgery." Kel nodded and stepped out of her way. She glanced over at the bed before she went out the door. Dr. Brackett went over to Johnny's side and started to check his vitals. He saw Johnny's eyelids flutter in an attempt to open.
"It's about time." Kel placed his hand on Johnny's arm. "I was beginning to think you'd sleep until Santa got here."
"No vent tube," Johnny said, still trying to open his eyes. "That's a good sign right?" His eyes opened half way as Dixie entered the room. She stepped over to the opposite side.
"I guess I called the guys five minutes too soon. How are you feeling?" He gave her a pained look, and she knew that she had asked the wrong question. From the look on his face she knew that whatever had been in his stomach was about to come out.
"Dix," The doctor started, "Better get…" Before he could finish the sentence, Dixie had already raised Johnny's head and held a basin under his chin. "I'll have his nurse bring in some Phenigran. That should help." When Johnny was done, Dixie got a wet wash cloth and wiped his face. Kel lifted up the corner of the blanket. "Better let me check those stitches." He quickly checked his handy work, then covered the injured man again. "It looks pretty good, but let's see what we can do about that nausea before you pull something that I've already fixed." Johnny tried to smile. Dixie looked at Kel, as Johnny seemed to drift off again.
He couldn't keep his eyes open but he didn't slide into the abyss either. He could hear Dixie and Dr. Brackett talking, but their words seemed jumbled and he strained to make out what they were saying.
"Kel, does Johnny seem agitated to you?" Dixie asked with some concern.
"Not any more than any other patient coming out of surgery, why?"
"I don't know. It must be me. I'm only worried about him that's all." Dr. Brackett nodded and checked Johnny's readings. He placed his fingers on Johnny's wrist to take his pulse, and could feel him shivering.
"Dix, let's get another blanket on him." Dixie nodded and went to the hall supply closet.
~*~
Mike Stoker gave his wife a departing hug as she slipped back into her station wagon. Mike leaned in through the open window. "Thanks, Beth, for running these decorations over. We're in a real bind with the chief coming tomorrow and the Captain in the state he's in." Beth smiled at her husband; she totally understood the implication.
"Glad to help, Sweety. I know what a mess Hank can be when the guy's name is mentioned. I'm sure you'll do fine!"
"You're not kidding! I think Cap's in his office working on his 5th text book of Departmental Regulations," Mike added, grinning at his wife.
"Well, babe, I'd better go. See you later. I love you."
"I love you, too." With that, she pulled out of Station 51's parking lot. Mike entered the station and found Chet and Brice sitting on the floor of the apparatus bay with about 400 feet of lights strewn out before them.
"Now wait a minute, Brice," Chet questioned. "Those light's were not blinking 2 minutes ago. What did you do?"
"I simply replaced one straight bulb with a blinker bulb. As long as one bulb is a blinker, they'll all blink," Brice explained. Chet was frustrated with this latest "bright idea" of Brice's.
"But I don't want them to blink!" Brice simply shook his head.
"Kelly, it is a proven fact that blinking lights are much more festive then non-blinking lights. And with the Chief's arrival tomorrow, I believe it is in our station's best interest to put on the most cheerful front possible." Mike decided not to get involved in the debate and leave the two to fight it out amongst themselves. He shook his head and continued through to the kitchen, where he found Roy just finishing up with the tree skirt. Roy had moved the coffee table where the TV usually sat, under the blackboard.
"Roy! Where'd you put the TV?" Mike asked.
"I tried to stop him!" Marco said from the stove where he and Estelle continued to cook.
"Mike, I think we can do without the TV for a couple of days."
"I know that, but what did you do with the TV?"
"I put it in the closet, we can get it out in a couple of days. It's only for tomorrow. Did Beth bring your spare decorations?"
"Yeah, right here." He lifted the box. "I guess we should get this show on the road." Mike said as he placed the box down between the two of them. Estelle nudged Marco and leaned into his ear when he turned toward her.
"They're both married, aren't they?" she whispered. Marco nodded.
"Why?"
"Oh, I just don't want to say the wrong thing, you know?" Estelle responded sweetly before turning back to stir the contents of the pot on the stove.
Mike and Roy began removing the ornaments from the box and hanging them on the tree. It wasn't easy keeping their eyes on their task with Estelle across the room. They both found themselves appreciating the view of Estelle's long, bare legs beneath her mini-skirt as she stood with her back to the room at the stove. They caught each other in their ogles and chuckled with self-conscious smiles as they turned their eyes back to the tree.
"I'm not dead." Roy chuckled. Mike stopped a moment and placed his fingers on his wrist. He grinned at Roy.
"Me, either." Then continued with decorating the little tree.
~*~
Back at Rampart: Dixie gently laid the extra blanket Dr. Brackett had requested over Johnny's sleeping form. Tucking it snugly around his shoulders, she shook her head.
"You certainly have more than your share of troubles John Gage."
"Not because I want it," surprising her with an answer. He opened his eyes. "I try to stay out of trouble." Dixie smiled, pushing the dark strands of hair off of his forehead.
"I know you do. Sometimes I think trouble comes looking for you." The paramedic managed a slight smile that turned to a wince, as pain began to reintroduce itself. Dixie did not miss the grimace, quickly checking his chart. "It's almost time for your pain meds." She pushed the call button for the floor nurse. "I don't think it'll hurt anything to push them up a little. You look like you could use them." Johnny nodded weakly.
"Hurts."
"I know it does." she replied. The small speaker above Johnny's head spoke.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, John Gage needs his pain medication."
"I'll bring it right in Miss McCall."
"This is a pretty lousy way for you to spend Christmas." Dixie said, smoothing out his blanket.
"Could be worse." he managed, pausing as another wave of pain washed over him. "I could be Roy. You know he is working with Brice today."
"I know," Dixie said.
"Well, at least I don't have family to worry about me."
"I don't know. I'll bet if you talked with the guys, they wouldn't agree with that." Dixie said, shaking her head. He, and Roy, had become part of her extended family. The only difference being, Roy gave her less gray hair. Johnny's nurse entered and injected the medication into the IV port. After the medicine was beginning to take effect, Dixie could see it was time to leave. Johnny was beginning to relax. "You get some rest. I expect to see you up and flirting with the new nurse, Barbara in the morning." she admonished him.
"New nurse?" Johnny asked.
"Just started yesterday." She smiled, "I thought maybe that would bring you around." The corners of his mouth turned up, as he drifted off to sleep. With a confident smile, she turned and left the room, turning back to have one last look at the young man she considered 'family'.
~*~
Roy and Mike stood back to admire their handy-work. "I think it looks pretty good," Stoker commented, grinning.
"See, I told you it would," Roy acknowledged with a nod.
"Wow," exclaimed Chet as he walked up to survey the finished tree. "I really thought this thing was beyond help!" Then he smiled with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Hum, I wonder," he began, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Maybe we could hang a few decorations on Gage?" Roy cleared his throat. "I mean, it worked for this scrawny tree, maybe it'd work for Gage!" Mike let out a small chuckle.
"Speaking of Johnny, I wonder how he's doing?" Mike asked seriously. No sooner had the words left Mike's mouth that Captain Stanley strolled into the kitchen.
"I just got a call from Rampart," he announced.
"What'd they say? Is Johnny all right?" Roy asked, stepping forward.
"Dixie called and said he was out of surgery and resting well. Apparently, the damage wasn't quite as bad as they first thought. He's breathing on his own." Cap smiled as several sighs of relief sounded through the kitchen. Even Chet, Gage's biggest tormentor, couldn't hide his grin.
"Well DeSoto." came Brice's voice from the other side of the room. "I guess this means you'll want to make a 'supply' run to Rampart." Roy glared at the annoying paramedic then looked to his Captain.
"Go ahead," Hank said with a smile. "Stay available."
"Will do." Roy assured him rushing out the door. Brice, surprisingly, followed almost as quickly.
~*~
Dixie sat quietly reading, in the chair next to Johnny's bed. Every now and then Johnny would start to stir, causing Dix to look up, but then he would fall right back to sleep. Roy tapped lightly on the door, before opening it and peering in. "Hey Dix," he said softly. "What are you doing here on Christmas Eve?"
Dixie laid her book down and stretched. "Oh you know... I made the effort to leave, but I looked at that sad little face and couldn't do it," she replied with a yawn. "Besides, I didn't have anything better to do."
"Uh-huh," Roy said, giving her a knowing look. Then he walked over to his partner's bed. "So, how's he doing?"
"Well, he's been sleeping like a baby for the past few hours," Dixie answered with a smile. "Why don't you try to wake him up? I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." Roy looked down at him with concern. He really wanted Johnny to wake up, but didn't know whether he should disturb him. Noticing Roy's hesitation, Dixie stood up and leaned over, gently touching Johnny's arm. "Johnny, wake up. You have a visitor." Johnny didn't move. "Johnny, come on sunshine, wake up. Roy didn't come all the way over here to watch you sleep." When no response was forthcoming from him, Dixie clasped his shoulder and shook him a little harder. "Johnny?"
"Dix...what's wrong?" Checking his eyes for some form of awareness, Dixie's face drained of color. She hit the call button.
"Yes?"
"Rebecca, call Dr. Brackett, immediately."
"Right away." Roy silently pleaded with his partner.
"Come on Johnny, fight this, tomorrow's Christmas." Dr. Brackett arrived, followed by Johnny's nurse, Rebecca. Brice was right behind her.
"Is everything okay?" Brackett stepped up to the bed.
"I don't know, Dixie couldn't get him to wake up." He checked Johnny's pupils, then took his pulse. He was baffled by Johnny's inability to respond; everything seemed normal. He knuckled Johnny's breastbone.
"Hey, Doc! Cut it out! I can feel that!" Kel Brackett took a step back in confusion as the once prone form of John Gage suddenly sprang to life.
"Johnny? What's going on?" Kel asked. Dixie was standing next to him looking just as confused. Johnny, now calm, took a deep breath.
"I don't know Doc. Last thing I remember was going to sleep." Johnny looked around him. "Is there some reason why you are standing here trying to drill a hole in my chest?"
"Johnny, I tried to wake you a few minutes ago, and you weren't waking up. I got worried and called Dr. Brackett." Dixie explained.
"With all the sedatives you keep pushing down my throat, is it any wonder I was sleeping so soundly?" Johnny responded groggily. Kel broke in,
"Johnny, how do you feel now?" He thought for a moment.
"Tired Doc, but other than that, I really don't feel so bad." Than Johnny added, "honest." Roy stepped up to Johnny's bed.
"Hey Partner!"
"Roy! Hey man, what's up? How's things at the station? I hope I can get over there soon and be able to catch a little of the Christmas spirit before the New Year." Roy lightly rested his hand on Johnny's bed.
"Don't worry partner. We'll save some especially for your return." Johnny smiled.
"So Roy, how's things going with..." Johnny stopped mid sentence as Brice entered his field of vision.
"Oh, hi, Brice."
"Gage."
"Speaking of unwanted house guests, Chief McConnikee is spending Christmas day with us, and the Cap's acting all nutty again. You're kind of lucky to be in here." Satisfied with his patient's awareness, Dr. Brackett spoke.
"Okay, I guess it's time for me to go take care of some sick people. Guys, don't stay too long, and Johnny, I want you to take it easy." Everyone nodded. Brackett, Rebecca, and Dixie left. Roy and Brice left shortly after that. Dixie entered the room and walked over to see the young man fighting to keep his eyes open.
"Hey there. Shouldn't you be asleep? You know Santa won't come if you're awake." Johnny tried weakly to return her smile.
"I guess I'm going to be here for a while?" Dixie nodded as she straightened the blankets that covered him. He continued to struggle to stay awake as long as possible.
"You put on a good show for your partner." Dixie leaned on the side rail of the bed and, out of habit, reached over to check his pulse. Johnny avoided looking her in the eye.
"Show?" He asked in a tired voice. "I don't know what you're talking about." He winced as he tried to shift to a more comfortable position.
"That's what I'm talking about. You lied to your doctor, and that doesn't go over well." She gave him an accusing look. "You said you were feeling pretty good when he asked. When you saw Roy, you acted like you were ready to do the Hustle. Now you're barely able to keep from passing out. What gives?" He looked up and sleepily rubbed his tired eyes.
"Yeah, I'm definitely not ready to hit the clubs."
"But…" she continued for him.
"But if Roy knows that, he'll be worried all night. He'll come here in the morning instead of going home to his kids. Christmas shouldn't be ruined for him, too." He yawned and started to doze off, finally managing to give her part of a grin. "Don't let on, okay? If you talk to him, tell him I'm chasing the nurses down the hall in a wheel chair." Dixie watched as he finally let his eyes slide shut. She smiled and started to return to her chair when his eyes opened again. "Dix, do me a favor." Johnny asked as he started to drift.
"You name it." She placed her hand over his and gave it a squeeze.
"Let me sleep through Christmas. I think it'll be a lot easier on ev..." Johnny was asleep before he could finish. Dixie patted his arm and shook her head.
"I don't think your friends will let you."
~*~
The men returned to the station around midnight, exhausted. They sat down around the table, numb from the events of the day. First Johnny being injured, then the unexpected pleasure of the Chief's company for Christmas. The last run could have been worse, a suicide that they had managed to talk down from the high rise.
"What do you suppose makes a guy go over the deep end like that?" Chet asked as much to himself as anyone. "Especially at Christmas." Nobody could answer, but all said a silent prayer of thanks that nobody was hurt. Cap shook his head to try to clear the picture that still lingered. A man had become so depressed he tried to 'borrow' a family at gun-point. When that didn't work, he threatened to take his own life. Had it not been for Roy's gentle voice of reason it would have been a very sad ending.
"This type of thing happens every day Chet. It just gets worse this time of year." Roy stated in an even tone. "Johnny's a lot like that man tonight. Alone, with no family here, and the only thing he has is us. I don't know about you, but I'm going to make sure he doesn't feel like that guy tonight. He's going to have a Merry Christmas, hospital or not." With that he got up and headed for the dorm. "I've got a lot of work to do in the morning. I'm turning in now." The others nodded in agreement, as they followed. When all of the men had left, Capt. Stanley embraced the peacefulness and took the opportunity to make a quick call to Rampart. He went into his office, closed the door, and went to his desk to make the call.
When he got through to Dixie, he wished her a Merry Christmas. "Dixie there is another reason I called. Besides wishing you a Merry Christmas, I've got something else to ask."
"Well, I figured that. You don't normally call me at all. Unless you're calling for a date for New Years, but you are married so, that only leaves one thing." Dixie smiled.
"How's he doing?"
"To be honest Captain, he's extremely exhausted right now and has requested no visitors on Christmas day. He asked me to let him sleep through the whole day. He said he didn't want to ruin the day for anyone." She was trying to be evasive, but Hank saw through it.
"What is it? Is his condition worse?"
"I'm not sure, what's going on. When Kel examined him, he said that he was fine, and he tried convincing Roy of the same thing. His temp is up again, but his reluctance to say how he really feels bothers me. Without really knowing how much he is hurting and where, is a hindrance."
"Do you know what's brought all this on?" Hank questioned. Dixie sighed heavily before responding.
"Hank, I don't know. I know he's in pain but he won't admit it."
"Thanks Dixie for your help, we'll swing by in the morning and see him." Hank replied, sounding discouraged.
"I think that would be a great idea, maybe bring him out of this funk that he's in." Dixie commented before hanging up the phone. Hank stared at the receiver, listening to the disconnected tone pips as Chet knocked on the door.
"Cap, is everything okay?" Chet asked.
"Yeah, I was checking on Johnny. Dixie said he's doing good and that maybe our visit in the morning might help." Chet nodded. "Why don't you go in and go to bed."
"I will Cap." He turned and headed for the dorm. Cap shut out his desk light and left his office for the comfort of his bed. As an unexpected Christmas present, they spent the remainder of the night uninterrupted. They all woke early Christmas morning, and started on the final touches needed to take Christmas to Johnny.
"It's all set," Roy said cheerfully, as he hung up the phone. "That was Dix and she said Johnny's already been moved to his own room. She thinks that surprising him is a great idea...as long as we keep the noise down and don't tire him out."
"I can't wait to see the look on his face!" Chet exclaimed, rather gleefully. "I wish I had a camera!"
"Now, I expect you all to be on your best behavior!" Chief McConnikee directed. "I don't need headquarters finding out that a bunch of firefighters wreaked havoc on Rampart General!"
"Don't worry about a thing Chief," Hank assured him. "I know for a fact, that everyone here will conduct themselves in an exemplary manner!" Hank turned toward the one who might give him trouble, and gave him a stern look. "Right, Kelly?"
"Sure Cap!" Chet replied, with a most innocent expression.
"Okay, is everything ready then?" Hank asked, looking around the kitchen. Each of them took a last glance around, making sure nothing was left behind.
"It looks like we've got everything, Cap," surmised Marco.
"Well, let's not keep John waiting then," Hank said with a smile and a gesture towards the door.
~*~
Johnny wasn't sure what time it was when he finally woke up, and he really didn't care. Thankfully, the curtains were closed, and he could see no light around the edges. Who cares about Christmas anyway...it's for kids. The door opened, and he quickly closed his eyes hoping whoever it was would go away.
Dixie came over quietly, checked his pulse, and straightened his blankets. Without a word, she slipped back out as quietly as she came in. When she returned to the hallway, everyone was waiting.
"I think he's playing possum." She said with a grin. But I bet if you give ten minutes, he'll be out again."
"That gives us enough time to get everything ready." Roy announced with a grin. The men all went and gathered the supplies. True to her words, Johnny had dozed back off before they returned. Without a sound, they tip toed around the room, setting up. On a small end table, Roy set up a small artificial spruce tree in a pot completely decorated with Christmas colors. Mike quietly pushed a small nail into the wall and hung a stocking with 'Johnny' painted on it. Chet and Marco set another table up with trays of cookies and candies prepared by Marco's cousin Estelle. Dixie watched in amusement as Chief McConnikee dressed in a Santa Clause suit. Cap set a small radio next to Johnny's bed and turned on Christmas music, very low.
When Johnny woke up the curtains were still closed, but he could see a glow in the corner of the room he couldn't recognize. When his eyes focused he could make out the tree, all lit up. After looking at it for several minutes, he then noticed the stocking hanging on the wall behind it. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things, when he could at last make out the man sitting next to the tree, dressed in the Santa suit.
"Am I still asleep? I must be dreaming," he struggled to sit up. "Santa Claus?" Johnny asked.
"HO, HO, HO! Merry Christmas John Gage!" The man said in a booming voice that seemed faintly familiar to Johnny. Before Johnny could say anything else, the door flew open and in poured his fellow firefighters.
"Merry Christmas Johnny!" they all called out, laughing or smiling as they saw his surprised reaction.
"I can't believe this. You should be with your families," Johnny said.
"We are, Johnny," Roy said, as he and the others gathered around the bed. "We've got all day to be with them. We only wanted to cheer you up." Johnny was speechless for once and had to look away, which brought his attention back to the Santa Claus figure quietly hanging back. Now that the lights had been turned on, he recognized the jolly elf.
"Chief McConnikee!" Johnny burst out.
"Merry Christmas Gage. I guess I got caught up in the overflowing Christmas spirit of 51," the Chief said, making everyone laugh.
"Hey guys, time to open presents!" Marco spoke up.
"Presents too? Man, this is the best Christmas I've had in a long time. Thanks, guys." Johnny grinned. He enjoyed every minute of the little party that followed. Even Doctor Brackett, and Joe Early put in an appearance. Johnny insisted that they all go home to their families, assuring them that the rest of his Christmas would be perfect. When they had gone, Johnny lay back with his hands clasped behind his head; satisfied that he had the greatest bunch of friends in the entire city. A moment later the door opened and Roy poked his head into the room.
"Merry Christmas partner," he grinned.
"Merry Christmas Roy. Tell Joanne to save me some Christmas dinner, and tell the kids not to have to much fun with all those new toys!" Roy nodded and let the door slide slowly closed behind him. Johnny couldn't believe his luck. No, a guy couldn't have a better bunch of friends.