THE TICKET
by Pat, Irene, Sheryl, Kathy, KC, Alice, Robin, Robin W, Jo, Tina, & Katy
Chapter Five:
Maybe I can make a break for it, he thought. If she were an expert marksman, she would have shot me a long time ago.
"Ma'am… drop the weapon." Officer Baker ordered. "We don't want to hurt you."
The parking lot was now surrounded with police cars. Naomi was weighing her options. In her mind, she was measuring the distance between herself and the car. No, she thought, there are too many cops… I'll never get away. An idea came to her. Maybe if she shot this man, she would have revenge on all men!
"Ma'am", officer Baker said, softly, "please, just put the gun down...there's no way you can escape, we don't want anyone to get hurt." He sounds so sincere, look at those blue eyes; he is a lot handsomer than this...this Chet person. Something clicked inside her. She dropped the gun and burst into tears. Officer’s Baker and Poncherello ran over to take her into custody. Ponch took a very nervous, shaky Chet Kelly by the elbow, and led him away from the woman.
"You did the right thing...Miss Gage, isn't it?" Jon asked. Naomi nodded her head, looking up at him through teary eyes. "I'm sorry, but I have to do this, " Jon told her. Smiling kindly, he gently put the hand-cuffs on her. "Everything's gonna be alright." he assured her, calmly. She looked intently at the officer, a look only Chet would recognize now.
She gazed into Jon's blue eyes, "It is now," she whispered, as Jon began to read the Miranda rights.
~*~
Roy and the nurse looked out the window for a few more minutes, and though they could see some activity, it was impossible to make out what was happening. The nurse finally gave up.
"I can't see anything down there." She remembered that she was talking to a patient. "Sir, you should be in bed at this time of night! You need your rest Mr.." She grabbed arm to see his wristband. "DeSoto. Come on." She led Roy back to his hospital bed and got him settled. "There. Now is there anything I can get you?"
Roy muttered under his breath. "Only some peace and quiet." Out loud, he said. "I'll be asleep soon enough, but my roommate over there is not having a good night. Could you see if you can find a doctor, please?"
"Roy!" the gasp came from the other bed. The nurse took one look at the unhappy patient, and then left to find a doctor.
"It’ll be okay, relax," Roy reassured his friend. Roy awoke early the next morning and stretched. Hopefully, they'd spring him from here today and he could go home and get some real rest. He looked over at Johnny, who was still sleeping. Dr. Early had come back in that night and he had given him something mild to help him sleep. Roy noticed the cooling blanket was gone too. That was a good sign. Dixie, Jon, and Ponch entered the room. The last thing they wanted to do is to make Johnny's life any more complicated than it had become already. Dixie and Roy didn't want to do or say anything that may hinder his recovery.
"Do you think Johnny’s awake?" Ponch whispered.
"Yes," was the response from the other bed. "What’s going on? Why are you here, Poncherello?"
"Well Johnny, it's about your cousin..." Ponch began. "It seems there was a little trouble between her and Chet last night." Ponch stopped, trying to think of the easiest explanation.
"Trouble?" Johnny whispered, waiting for a reply.
Jon spoke up next, "There was a little trouble...but nobody got hurt."
"Yeah, everything’s cool now Johnny, so don't worry about a thing," Ponch assured him.
"Nobody...hurt?" Johnny was getting frustrated. He knew he wasn't being told the whole story. "Come on...tell me!" he demanded, trying to speak louder, despite the pain. They exchanged concerned glances, and then Roy decided it would be best to 'come clean'.
"You guys may as well just tell him the whole story." He knew his partner wouldn't rest until he heard it all. All Roy could do was hope for the best. Jon and Ponch took turns explaining the details, putting things in the best possible light, for Johnny's sake - both Roy and Dixie were impressed. Johnny seemed to take the news very well, remaining calm and even seeming to find a bit of humor during certain parts of the story.
"...And we had Naomi admitted here as a psych patient," concluded Jon. "We came here to tell you."
Roy's brow furrowed, "Poor Chet!" They had to grin at the thought of Chet on the date from hell.
Ponch added, "Well, thank God, no one was hurt." The others nodded in agreement. Dixie checked Roy's vitals, then went over to check Johnny.
"How is he?" asked Jon.
"Still a little warm, though down from last night. I have a feeling Dr. Brackett will order a chest x-ray on him today to check his lungs."
"Naomi's not quite right sometimes. How’s Chet?"
"He's fine, a little shaken up, but he’s doing fine," replied Jon.
"I guess I owe Chet an apology." Johnny rested against the pillows.
"Apology?" asked Dixie. "It wasn't your fault your cousin did what she did."
"It is my fault," replied Johnny. "Because, I knew about Naomi, and I didn't say anything!" Johnny sat up, stifling a groan. Dixie frowned, and gently pushed Johnny back onto the bed.
"As I recall it, you had just a few things on your mind at the time."
Roy quickly agreed. "I got in here right after they left together, and you were in no condition to be talking."
"Besides," Ponch spoke up with a devilish twinkle; "Your cousin didn't hurt him. She just showed him a real memorable time." Ponch ended by telling everyone about the new love in Naomi's life. "Jon here, promised to stop by and see her...he always gets the girl!" Ponch told them all with a big grin. "How do you do it, partner?" Jon could only blush. You could detect an embarrassed smile as he looked down at the floor, shaking his head.
Everyone in the room laughed. Everyone except Johnny, Roy noted. Obviously, he didn't find the situation entirely funny. Roy couldn't see his eyes, but he noticed the tension at the corners of John's mouth. Dixie must have noticed, also, since she took that moment to clear the visitors from the room.
"You okay?" asked Roy.
"Yeah," said John, but he turned his head away. Roy sighed, but decided to leave him alone. He knew when John was ready, he'd tell him what was wrong. Dr. Brackett entered a few minutes later. He first glanced at Roy's chart, then did a cursory examination of his head and side.
"Roy, I'd like to keep you one more day," Brackett said. "There was a trace of blood in your urine, and I'm concerned that you may have a slight injury to your kidney. Another 24 hours and I'm sure you'll be on your way home." Roy frowned but agreed and Brackett moved onto John. He removed the eye bandages and examined his pupils. John flinched at the penlight. Brackett checked his back, listened to his lungs and took a new temperature reading. His face was grim when he had finished.
"John, I want to get a chest x-ray. I don't like the sound of your lungs. Also, we don't seem to be lowering this temperature as much as I would like. In fact, it's slightly up from this morning. But the good news is your eye muscle is healing well. I think we can leave your eyes unwrapped." John just nodded slightly. Kel was surprised at his lack of response and glanced at Roy. Roy just frowned. Brackett continued, "Okay, well, I'd like you to start eating today, clear liquid diet and drink a lot of fluids." He waited for an argument about the diet, but was disappointed. Finally, he asked, "Any problems?"
John answered, "A little headache."
Kel nodded, "I'll get you something for that." With that, he took his leave. Roy waited until the door shut, then turned to Johnny.
"Okay, Junior, what's going on?" But before John could answer, the door opened and Joanne entered.
"How are my two favorite paramedics?" Joanne asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"Well, we've seen better days." Roy replied, "but things are starting to look up!" he smiled at his wife.
"Hi handsome," she said, sitting on the edge of his bed, giving him a kiss. Johnny turned his head, trying to find something to look at other than the mushy scene going on next to him.
"Maybe you guys should get a hotel room," he said, sarcastically.
"Maybe we will, Junior," Roy said cheerfully. Joanne stood up and walked over to John, giving him a motherly peck on the cheek,
"I'm so glad you're doing better Johnny, I've been so worried about you!" Johnny blushed, looking over at Roy with a grin.
"Thanks Joanne...but you really shouldn't worry about me." Joanne had heard all about the events of the previous night. She was trying to avoid the topic, per Dixie's suggestion.
"So when do I get to spring you from this place?" Joanne asked Roy.
"I'm not sure, I may be in here another day," he answered. The nurse came in, bringing two trays with her.
"Breakfast," she called, setting a tray in front of each man.
"Oh, French toast...and scrambled eggs," Roy said, trying to force a smile as he looked down at what had to be scrambled eggs...he thought, anyway...how could they go wrong with French toast?
Gage looked down at his tray, "Oh... lucky me. I’ve got broth!" he said in disgust...he gave the nurse a dirty look, "gee, thanks." When the nurse left, Roy began to eat his breakfast. Joanne chattered about the kids, who were spending the day with the Stokers, glancing every few minutes at Roy's partner. Johnny had pushed away the uneaten breakfast tray and turned his head away from the DeSoto's, becoming unusually subdued. Joanne looked questioningly at Roy who shook his head. An uneasy silence settled over the group. Dixie, who entered the room to recheck John’s vitals, broke the silence. She glanced disapprovingly at the untouched breakfast tray.
"Trying to keep that IV as a permanent attachment?" she asked. John ignored her. She shot a look over at the DeSoto's but they seemed bewildered by John's mood, as well.
"Okay, Johnny," she said, "I need to check your vitals." She reached for his wrist to take his pulse, but he violently yanked away from her.
"Just leave me alone," huddling into him. "Just leave me alone..." Mouths open, Dixie, Roy, and Joanne stared at each other. No one was sure how to react. Dixie, however, quickly went into head nurse mode. Johnny wasn't the first difficult patient she had dealt with.
"Well, if you want to have a needle in your arm forever, be my guest. I wonder what Dr. Brackett will have to say." When Johnny refused to answer, she glanced at the DeSoto’s. "Excuse me. I'm going for back-up." The nurse quickly left the silent room. As Dixie exited, Joanne shared a look with her husband. They both knew that he was more likely to get through to his partner alone. She kissed Roy and the cheek and made her excuse.
"I have to go call the kids, honey. They're probably wondering whether they have any parents left." After his wife was gone, Roy went got up from his bed and walked over to his partner. Johnny was still curled up in ball, and refused to look at him.
"Johnny," he began. Somehow, he knew this was more than the usual childish behavior. "You don't want to be in here forever. Tell me what's going on." Johnny rolled his eyes and pulled the covers closer to his face.
"Nothings wrong...dad." he said, defiantly.
"Then what happened to your manners back there? You know everyone is worried about you, Dix is just trying to do her job...which is help get you out of this place! You don't have to be so rude to everyone!" Roy gently scolded, if being nice wasn't going to work, he'd try another approach. As if on cue, Dixie walked back in with Dr. Brackett.
"How are we doing today, Johnny?" Brackett asked. We, thought Johnny, I hate when they say that! Before they could say another word, John pulled his arm out from under the covers, offering it to Dixie,
"Sorry Dix", he said, unconvincingly, as he stared at the ceiling. Dixie had to hold back her grin. Sometimes John Gage reminded her of an overgrown 5-year-old. This was being one of those times. Boy, she thought, Roy must have really let him have it!
"Good boy, Johnny," Roy told him, giving Dixie a wink. "Now about your breakfast..."
"It's cold." Johnny said flatly, giving his partner an annoyed look, while Dixie took his blood pressure.
"Well, maybe we can get someone to warm it up," Brackett offered, "if you don't eat..."
"I know, I know," John interrupted as Dixie stuck a thermometer in his mouth.
"He'll be okay, Doc," Roy assured. "I'll get him to eat...if I have to sit on him!"
"Well...hopefully you won't have to go that far," Brackett chuckled.
"Well Johnny, it looks like your temp is down!" Dixie smiled.
"Great," said John, flatly. "Now can I be left alone for five minutes?" Again, everyone stared at him.
Dixie recovered first. "Well, Mr. Gage, with an attitude like that, I'm sure you'll get your wish." She picked up the now cold breakfast tray and headed for the door. Johnny turned his head again and closed his eyes, resuming his defensive posture. Brackett observed him for a minute, then pulled out a penlight.
"One more thing, John, then you can have your five minutes," he said calmly. John warily turned his head, and flinched as Brackett examined his pupils. As soon as the doctor finished, he turned away and shut his eyes.
Brackett approached Roy and asked quietly, "How long as he been combative?"
Roy answered just as quietly, "Maybe a half hour."
John sighed loudly, letting them know he was aware that he was the topic of their discussion. Brackett nodded to Roy and left the room. He caught up to Dixie who was waiting for a warmed tray.
"Dix, let's keep an eye on this personality change in John."
Dix looked at Kel. "Are you afraid it’s more than bad manners?"
Kel responded, "Well, he did suffer a serious head injury. You and I know this can be an after effect."
Dixie sighed, "Guess I can't hold a grudge then?" Kel laughed and patted her shoulder as he walked away.
~*~
"Oh never mind!" John answered, angrily.
"No Johnny, you started to say something - now finish it!" he demanded.
"You wouldn't understand!"
"Spill it, Gage!"
"Well, you know Roy," he whined, "like...my cousin...Naomi."
Okay Junior, now I'm starting to see the light.
"Johnny, nobody is blaming you for what your cousin did," Roy assured him.
"Well, I know that...it's just...why did it have to be Chet, for heavens sake? Why did she even come here? I haven't even seen her for a long time! Why me? Why does this kind of stuff always happen to me?" he rambled. "Chet will never let me live this down, you know. Why weren't you the one to have a ‘whacked’ out relative show up? You know why? Because that stuff NEVER happens to you! It only happens to me..." Roy lay back in his bed, a faint smile on his face, this was more like it. He was actually enjoying Johnny’s rant. Keep going partner, get it all out! "... I don't ask for these things to happen to me. All I want is a normal life like everybody else, go to work, come home, maybe have a meaningful relationship that actually lasts more than a few days. Is that asking too much?"
"Johnny, I -" Roy tried uselessly to respond.
"I guess it must be," his friend continued. "Maybe, somehow, I am asking for all this and don't realize it. Maybe I have some sort of hidden masochistic streak, and I actually want all these things to happen to me. Apparently mental problems run in my family." Sighing, he suddenly felt spent. "Maybe they should lock me away with Naomi before 'I' go off the deep end." Neither man noticed the door open slightly. On the other side of the door, Dixie paused to listen. Her anger started to fade as she heard the sad tone of Gage's voice. The statement took Roy by surprise. Surely, Johnny didn't believe that.
"That's not gonna happen partner. I'll admit you're sometimes a bit..."
"Nuts," Johnny finished for him. "You've said so yourself. I know the guys at the station think so. After this mess, probably everybody at Rampart will think so too."
He would remember that now, thought Roy.
"Johnny, you're not nuts. You only think differently than the rest of us," Roy said, trying to soften the ugly words that he’d said so long ago. Johnny turned his head, giving Roy an unbelieving look.
"Right. Tell that to Dixie about now." This was going to harder than he thought. Of course, Roy considered, it was Johnny. He was saved from answering as Dixie pushed the door all the way open and entered.
"Because you don't always do things the way the rest of us would, doesn't mean you're nuts, John Gage," she told him sincerely. "And just because your cousin has some problems does not mean there's anything wrong with your mind."
"You were listening." Johnny remarked in a non-accusing tone.
"Yes, I was." Dixie admitted. "And I'm sorry for losing my temper. I guess I didn't think how all this would be affecting you."
"You don't have to apologize Dix." Johnny told her with a smile. " I'm the one who was acting like a jerk. I..."
"You were scared," she concluded. "After everything that's happened to you the past couple days, you have that right." Johnny looked up at her with uncertainty,
"You're not mad at me, are you, Dix?"
"Well...I never could stay mad at you for very long," she smiled, "must be that ol' Gage charm."
"Thanks Dix," he smiled back.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, fussing over him a bit, plumping his pillow, and straightening his blankets.
"Better. My head still hurts though."
"Well, we can take care of that." Then she turned to Roy, "How about you Roy, how are you feeling?"
"I feel fine, except this bed is giving me a killer back ache...but I'll live." he answered.
"Well, I'll be right back then," she told them. The door opened again, and both men looked up, expecting Dixie. To their surprise, Chet walked in.
"Hey guys," he said. "I had to bring the squad in for Bellingham and Dwyer. I thought since I had a few minutes, I'd come see how you're doing."
Roy smiled, "I'm doing good."
Chet turned to Johnny, who looked a little uncomfortable.
"John."-"Chet", they said simultaneously. "I'm sorry..."
"What are you sorry for?" Chet asked.
Johnny squirmed, "You know, my cousin... I should have warned you."
Chet smiled, "You did John. You told me to leave her alone. I just didn't listen." John considered this.
"I did, didn't I. He didn't listen to me, Roy." Roy nodded.
"See Chet, I guess that's what you get for not listening to me." John leaned back; feeling like a weight had been removed from his shoulders.
"Well, it turned out okay. I hope your cousin does, too," Chet added sincerely. Johnny nodded. Chet continued, "Man, at first, it was great. Then I knew something was off." He laughed self-consciously. "You know, I really thought you had set me up... the date from hell..."
"Yeah?" Johnny said smiling, as he filed the idea away for future use.
"Yeah," said Chet. "But then I knew that you could never come up with any idea as clever as that... well, I better go!" The smile faded from Johnny's face. Roy laughed. John looked at Roy; "Can you believe... He just... Man, he just insulted me... " Here we go, thought Roy. "I'm telling you, when I get back to work, the Phantom is going to meet his match." John was on a roll. "I'm going to get him if it kills me!"
"Well, don't take me with you!" said Roy. Johnny turned to Roy,
"Well, that's positive, Pal, thanks a lot!" He turned his attention to his now cold again breakfast tray. Ignoring the broth, he unwrapped the Jell-O. "Green. I hate green Jell-O. Why can't they give you the good kinds in hospitals...like red or orange? No, it's always the green... and they say they want you to get well. Who can get well eating this stuff?" Sighing dramatically, Roy rolled onto his side facing away from Johnny. Johnny glared at him as he stuck a spoonful of green Jell-O into his mouth.
Roy lay in his bed and smiled. It had been a long few days, but finally, everything was back to normal!
THE END
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