My Name is Not Johnny
By
For the first time in nearly 6 hours Roy Desoto stood in the open bay door to station 51 he and his partner had just returned from their 5th run of the day. They had not been back to the station since they went on their response.
The day had been the busiest it had ever been. They had been running non stop until now and all Roy wanted was a breath of fresh air while he had the time. As he looked out the door he could see the other men working on getting the table set for dinner and as always John and Chet were at each other with the insults. He had to laugh. They were worse then his children at home but then again they were all Captain's children. He could stand there for hours, but he heard yelling from the kitchen was getting worse. And Cap was headed for the kitchen, as he walked out of him office he asked.
“You are coming Desoto?”
“Right behind you Cap, sounds like the kids are not getting along right now.” Cap nodded as they went for the kitchen.
“Johnny you are a klutz!” Chet was yelling!
“Shut up Chet! I am not it was an accident and it was your fault!”
Both men were yelling.
Marco and Mike were at the sink holding Johnny's hand under the running water.
“What do you mean my fault?” Chet's face was getting redder by the second, “Everyone knows that you turn the handle to the back of the stove but not over a burner and not tell anyone!”
This made Cap and Roy head toward John, “Johnny you aright?”
Chet turned to Cap who stood beside him,” Cap it's not my fault.”
“So I heard pal now you want to fill us in on just what is not your fault?”
Roy had replaced the 2 firemen at the sink with Johnny.
John turned his head away from the sink and nodded toward Chet as he spoke.
“Someone forgot the 1 st rule of cooking, SAFETY! He used the front and back burner to make dinner and when he was fixing the sauce he turned the handle over the other burner, then he takes the water and pasta off and he ask me to grab the sauce, when I just came in from the bay and guess what?”
Roy was a little surprised when John pulled his hand away John held his hand up for the Captain to see. Once again Chet started to say it wasn't his fault, but this time the captain stopped him.
“Chet did you really did that with the handle?”
“Yeah Cap I did but it's not my fault that Gage don't know what a pot holder is!”
“Chet you twit! Go wait for me in my office and oh yeah it is your fault!”
“Roy is he alright?”
Roy nodded a yes, “I'll put some stuff on it and have it checked at Rampart next time we are over there, looks like 1 st and 2 nd degree nothing to bad, Marco can you get me the drug box please?”
“Sure thing Roy, anything else.”
“No that's all I need.”
Marco was back in a matter of seconds it seemed. After a few minutes Roy had John's hand bandaged and had the cream applied to it. Mike and Marco had dinner on the table by the time Chet and Cap returned and Roy and John had finished.
“Sorry John.”
“It's Alright Chet.” John wanted to yell at him some more but by the look on Chet's face was too pitiful to yell at him.
The meal was quiet and everyone seemed to remember what had happened earlier.
Cap was the first one to leave the table and head back for him office.
“Man Gage you're a pain in my butt.”
Neither Johnny nor any of the guys were ready for that.
“Hey Chet knock it off he's not the one who heated up the pan handle.” Mike as a rule was quiet but this time he knew John had not been at fault.
“Yeah well because he doesn't know how to use a Pot holder, I have to clean the latrine for a month plus whatever job John can't do because his hand is hurt!”
Roy knew this was not good Chet was on full rant and John was just sitting there not saying a word at all. Roy was never so glad to hear the tones drop for the squad to get called out, he hated runs cause most of the time someone was hurt but in this case he hoped it was minor but long enough to get them out so Chet could cool down.
The call had come over as a person down and John was taking beats that it was a drunk left over from the night before and most of the time John was right when he made those type beats. This time it was a man who had fallen in the park while playing Frisbee with his children.
It was known as a nothing run for the men, Roy rode in with the patient and Johnny followed in the squad. It had taken several minutes to get Roy to allow him to drive the squad with his hand wrapped and promising to stay right behind the ambulance.
The ride was a little boring, and Roy only wanted to go along with the victim so Johnny could have his hand looked at sooner then later he knew John was the worse then a kid about seeing a doctor but he never wanted to go until he was made too.
Johnny was enjoying the ride in the squad with window down and the wind blowing in his face, it was nice day and he was in a good mood even after what had happened at the station. He was not ready for what unfolded before his eyes! From out of no where a car came flying out of one of the side streets, and plowed right in to the side of the ambulance. John slammed on his brakes and was hit from behind.
At first the world seemed to be moving in slow motion until John snapped his eyes open and his mind back to the present.
“Oh crap, Roy!” He reached over and picked up the microphone. “L.A. this is squad 51.”
“Go ahead Squad 51.”
“LA we have a car accident with injuries at 5 th and Norris, Ambulance was transporting victim on board along with paramedic. Also LA, squad 51 also involved in accident as well. Please send out 2 ambulances an engine company and another squad.”
“10-4 squad 51.”
As he ran toward the ambulance he heard the call go out for the help that he had asking for. He opened the door and was surprise to see Roy sitting on the bench with the injured man.
“Roy! Are you two alright?”
Roy looked up at him. “We are alright Johnny Just a little banged up, and I thought I told you to stay close behind us?”
John knew that Roy was just picking on him. “I had a little accident of my own. If you're all alright I need to check on the other victims?”
Roy started to laugh then it dawned on him that John wasn't joking, but before he could stop John. Johnny was already headed for the car that hit the ambulance.
John first checked the driver and was glad when he found he was alive but hurt and bleeding.
“Roy I'm gonna need some help out here.”
Roy told the attendants to keep an eye on the man while he helps Johnny.
“What you have Johnny?”
“Stay with him while I check the one that hit me.” And once again John was off with out letting Roy get a word out.
He was glad that the woman was fine just a little upset about running into the big red Squad. She did fill better when John let her know that it wasn't her fault because there had been accident right in front of the squad and he told he would be right back.
He stopped by the squad and grabbed the equipment that he needed before heading back over to Roy. As he nearing the car he heard the engine pull up along with the ambulance. Roy was about ready to get the man out when the Captain Stanley ran up to the men. “Are you all alright?”
Roy nod yes at his worried Captain, “Just a little banged up is all.”
“Okay squad 8 in not far behind us, once they get here I want you to let them take care of the victims and let Johnny check you out.”
“Alright cap”
Cap was helping Roy get the man setup to be removed from the car, when 8 arrived they were ready and waiting for them.
Johnny was rechecking on the man they were transporting and the men in the ambulance while the others worked on the car victim. The man they were transporting was unhurt in the new accident. David the driver had a nice cut on his forehead and maybe a broken rib or 2. The attendant that was beside Roy had a broken wrist and have a nice black eye to show off for a while. None of them had injuries that were too serous at the moment.
By the time he was done with everyone in the ambulance the new on had arrived so they loaded it up with the victims out of the wrecked ambulance. The second ambulance arrive would hold the remaining victim from the car and Roy.
Once he was being looked after Roy along with the Cap walked over to where John stood waiting for the paramedic from 8's to climb on board.
“John is everyone alright?”
“Yeah cap minor injuries, there going to be alright I think.”
“That's good. Hey pal take a look at your partner and make sure he's alright will you?” “Sure cap, have a seat Roy.” Roy was not a bad patient he just wanted it over with quick unlike his partner.”
While John gave Roy the once over Captain Stanley stood by watching. He saw a man who walking his dog when they got to close to the scene, he walked over to them.
“Sir you need to move back we don't want you to get hurt or in the way.”
“OH sorry sir, I saw the whole accident while I was waiting to cross the street and I wanted to make sure that everyone was alright.”
“Yes it seems they were all lucky any ideas what happened?”
Vince had now joined the Captain he was filling out the report on the accident and a witness would help. “That car just ran the stop sign didn't even slow down and then that car over there” pointing toward the squad, “just plowed right in to the back of that red unit.”
“What!” Cap had missed that some how and was shocked.
“Yeah I was really worried about the fireman who was driving he was out for a good 5 minutes before he started helping the others out.”
“Excuse me Vince !” Hank was mad, and Vince didn't want to be in John's shoes right now for anything in the world.
“GAGE!”
Roy and John were both shocked at the tone in their Captains voice. Johnny had no clue what he done this time.
“Yes Cap?”
“How are you doing Roy?” Roy stood up and nodded I'm alright Cap. Just a few bruises and a little headache, but Doc Gage here has cleared me and I'll get a second opinion while were at Rampart. What's wrong Cap?”
He was still wearing that look of anger on his face. “Yeah Roy there is. It seems your partner here forgot to add a few pieces of important information.”
Roy was a little confused.
“It seems here that John was in an accident also.”
Roy took a breath. “Yeah Cap he told me when he came to check on me.”
“Roy he was also forgot to tell you that he was out cold for about 5 minutes according to a witness!”
“What! Johnny you didn't say something about being out.”
The look on John's face told them both he wasn't laying when he answered their questions. “Cap I'm alright and I was a little winded but I was not out cold.”
“Sorry pal but that man over there said you were out for a good 5 minutes.”
Now it was Roy's time to worry.
“You don't remember waking up?”
“Roy all I remember was getting hit from behind and then calling for help and you know the rest, there is no way I was out that long I would have had to come too right?”
“Not if you have head injury let me check you out alright?”
“Cap we will need to have someone to drive the squad in we'll both go in the ambulance and get checked out.” This also worried the Captain.
“Roy, John called the squad in as out of service, do you remember that Johnny?”
“Hmm, No not really wow must have really been out of it huh? I do remember calling for the 2 ambulances and squad.”
“Alright Roy check him out and both of you get over to rampart and get your heads looked at.” Roy was glad that the Captain was not mad at Johnny any longer and now was worried for him. Roy did a check of John and found a small lump on the back of Johns head. He was sure that John had a slight concussion and maybe a little whiplash. No more then what he had?
It didn't take them long to arrive at Rampart. They were almost there when the accident happened. John and Roy took their patient to one of the treatment rooms and were at the base station when Dixie McCall walked up and answered the ringing phone.
“Emergency nurses station Miss McCall speaking.” She listened for a moment before speaking. “No we didn't know this... Yes we'll get right on it... Thanks for calling... Good bye.” She hung up the phone and smiled at the 2 paramedics. “Hi guys. How are you doing?”
“We are doing alright Dix.” She just kept on smiling.
“Hey Dix are any of the doctors around?”
“Oh their all a little busy at the moment, but if you two want to wait in treatment room 5. I'll send one in as soon as one is free.”
Both men looked at each other, once again Dixie smiled at them. “That was your Captain on the phone. Said he wanted you both to be checked out while you were here. What gives gentlemen; he said you'd fill me in. But he got another call.”
John hung his head as he shook it, he should have figured their captain would call and tell on them. Roy filled the head nurse in on what had happened and their parts in the auto accidents that had just taken place. She walked them both into the treatment room and began taking their vitals. When she was done she told them to both have a seat and she'd be back with a doctor in a little bite.
“You alright Roy?”
Roy had been lying on the exam table with this eyes closed. “Yeah just have little headache I'd have for a while. What about you?”
“Aw I'm alright, don't worry about me any.”
“Yeah like that's ever going to happen.”
Both men laughed a little. John wise Dixie and the doctor would hurry it up, he want to get back to work. Besides sitting on the exam table was making him sleepy and after the day they had, had it was starting to catch up with him. He was almost a sleep when the door opened.
“Hi Guys.”
“Hi Doc.” Roy answered for them both because he knew that John was not going to be happy it was Doctor Morton who had entered the room with Dixie. John just lifted his hand in a small wave.
“Okay boys, Dixie told me about your little accident so lets get this over with so you can get back to work. You don't have all day to lie around.”
Roy heard a low. ‘That's a shame' come out of his partner.
Morton started with Roy. He did the usual things like checking the eyes and follows the fingers. He also went a head and order some x-rays to be on the safe side. He took Dixie to the side and told her to arrange a room he wanted to keep Roy over night his pupils were a little sluggish and John most likely too. He'd wait for the x-rays to come back before he broke the bad news to them, because he knew John would put up a fight. He went back to Roy told him to lay back down and rest a bit while he checked Johnny out. “Okay Gage rise and shine so I can get this over with.” John remained still. “Gage come on I don't have all day.” As he started to wake up the younger of the 2 when the door opened once again, this time it was doctor Brackett who entered followed by Doctor Early.
“Hi Mike how they doing?”
“Roy's got a slight concussion and I think Gage here has decided to take a nap instead of letting me check him out.”
Brackett knew Johnny well enough to know that he would never play games when he was ordered to be checked out.
“Are you ok Johnny?” He then did what most people hate a sternum rub. When John didn't even move he knew something was wrong. “Mike how long has he been out?” “He was alright about 5 minutes ago when I started Roy exam I was just about to start his when you walked in.”
“Okay Dix get me new set of vitals. I also need some blood work and get an IV started.” Everybody went to work.
Roy was about to get off the table when he was stopped by Doctor Early who made Roy lay back down. “Roy you can help by telling me what happened this time to your partner.” Roy wasn't sure what to tell the doctor. He told him that they had been in an auto accident.”
“I take it you were driving and Johnny was in the passenger seat as always.”
Roy shook his head. “Not this time I was in the ambulance and John was driving the squad, it seems we had 2 different accidents at the same time. Cap said a witness told him that Johnny was out cold for about 5 minutes. Johnny called for help and didn't remember ½ of what he called for and doesn't remember coming around or even being knocked out. If it wasn't for the witness I don't think he knew he was out.” Roy and the doctor watched as they worked on the young man. After about 10 minutes John decided to wake up.
“Hey what's going on?”
“Hello John.”
“Hi Doctor Brackett I didn't hear you come in. You must have been really quiet or did I nod off on you?”
Brackett glanced over at Roy; Roy nodded to confirm what the doctor was asking with his eyes. “Well John we came in about 15 minutes ago, you were out of it.”
“NO I wasn't I've been laying here awake.”
Doctor Brackett smiled, “Then can you explain why your chest hurts and you now have 2 IV's running in both arm of yours?” Johnny looked down and couldn't believe his eyes. “Doc what happened?”
Roy was still sitting on his stretcher watching Johnny.
“Well Johnny we just got yours and Roy's x-rays back, it seems you both have a concussion and John you have a little swelling nothing to worry about. However, that gives you a few nights at Rampart General.”
Roy smiled at his friend. “Sorry Johnny.” Roy started sitting up.
“Hold it Roy. We think for tonight you will make a great room mate for Johnny here. We want to keep any eye on you two just to be on the safe side.” Roy saw the smile go across John face. He was glad that he had to stay and share a room with his best friend Roy.
It didn't take long before the men from the engine company arrived to check on them and bid them a good night. Soon the 2 men were moved up into their room. Roy was glad; he wanted to get some sleep knowing they would be a nurse in every hour to wake him up. He wasn't sure how often the nurse would be in to wake up Johnny, but he was guessing they would do more then wake John up they would put him though the whole test to see how alert he would be come.
Roy was right it was going to be long night when, he tries going back to sleep a nurse would come in their room and wake him up as soon as he closed his eyes. If they weren't waking him they would be wake up Johnny. He just wished they would wake them both at the same time it would be easier to get some sleep. John seemed to be doing alright as well as himself. Roy was sure he'd get to go home in the morning and he was almost as sure of the fact that John would only get to go home if he went to Roy's house for a few days.
It was morning when the 3 doctors came to do their exams. Roy was wide a wake eating breakfast. Johnny wasn't a wake yet and Roy had decided to let him get his sleep. “Good Morning Roy.” They all said one at a time.
“Hey John still a sleep?” Doctor Early was always in a good mood.
Roy nodded, “I decided to let him sleep they were in here all night waking him up.” “Any idea how it how he was doing?”
Roy nodded, “Yes he seemed to alert all the times they came in I should know they made enough noise that I couldn't sleep.”
“Sorry Roy but we had too that.”
Roy smiled, “I know doc.” He watched as the head doctor went over to wake his friend up.
After a few tries John opened his eyes. “Hi guys what's up?”
“You are now.”
John just shook his head at him. “Morning Doctor Early how are you today.”
One thing they all counted on was the Doctors smile and bed side manner too. “Um I think that's what I'm here to ask you remember?”
Johnny nodded his head yes at the doctor. “I remember that some one left a 30 min. wake up call the whole night and it was starting to get on my last nerve. So why did you wake me this time?”
“Oh wanted to see if Roy wanted to go home and see if you were hungry.”
Now that was one thing that made John Gage sit straight up in him bed. However that was not a good thing to do. He was not ready for the wave of dizziness that washed over him at that moment. The only person more unready was Doctor Early, was caught off guard when John reached over and grabbed him by the arm almost pulling him over on to the bed. “Wow John.”
Brackett was on them as fast as he could move.
John had felt like he was going to fall out of bed. So he had to grab something and the closest thing was Doctor Early.
“Sorry doc. Did I hurt you?”
Early smiled, “No, but what was that about.”
Once again the paramedic put on an evil smile, “What did you expect when you starve a man and don't let him get any sleep.”
Brackett was not buying it. “Okay John let me get a look at your eyes. I knew you were going to be our guest for one more day. I want you to rest and not to make any more sudden moves alright?” John nodded a big yes. Brackett did a check on John one more time before he headed out of the room. Roy was also checked on and the doctor was not sure if he was going to let Roy go home yet. They would now some time after lunch but he wanted to see how Roy did when he was up and moving about.
It wasn't long after the doctors left when breakfast arrived. Roy wanted to make sure that John didn't have another attack of dizziness so when breakfast arrived Roy went over and helped get John's bed set up so he could eat. Roy reminded him to move slow and go easy. The only thanks he got from his so called friend were a. “Yes mother.” Roy knew he was only kidding but he did worry about John as if he was one of his children.
Roy sat at the small table in the room to eat, he was tired of being in the bed. He also wanted to be close to John if he needed help with anything. “Man Roy please call your wife and have her bring us some real food. Oh yeah and some real coffee too this stuff is bad!”
Roy laughed at his partner while he picked at his food. John hated hospital food and Roy was not happy with his food either. Roy went to make the call when the door opens. It was the men from station 51 and they had brought donuts and fresh coffee along with orange juice. They were right when they guessed that the men would want some real food. They all ate and talked for a while asking how they were doing and if they were going to get out soon.
“Man Roy I had no idea when I told you two to get looked at and they would keep you here. I figured only a few hours at the most but not guest for a while.”
Cap just couldn't believe that they weren't alright.
“Hey Cap you were no more surprised then we were.”
Mike and Marco cleared the room of all the trash while, Chet sat in Roy's bed trying to catch a nap.
John felt for the first time since the arrival at rampart that he needed to go to the rest room. He slowly pulled back the covers and swung his legs over the bed standing up slowly. Roy started to get up when John raised his hand in a stop him. “Nice and easy Roy I know.” They hadn't filled the men in on what had happened this morning yet. They didn't want to make their friends worry. He did as he had been told and walked with little speed to the rest room. “Man Gage you getting old or what? You walk like my grandfather and he's 85 years old.”
“Shut up Chet!” John went on into the restroom moving all so carefully that was the last thing he wanted was to fall in the bathroom.
While he was in the rest room Cap and Roy gave Chet a stern warning to behave. He was about to complain when John came back into the room. “Oh I see your still here Chet isn't there a sick child on the 3 floor who needs a clown to laugh at?”
Before Roy could stop Chet, Chet threw a pillow at Johnny.
“Back at ya Gage.”
Without a moment to think about it John tossed his hands up to catch the pillow before it hit him in the face. At the moment was not a good thing. John was once again caught off guard by the dizziness that over took him once again. Roy was moving toward John as soon as he saw Chet toss the pillow. As a matter of fact all the men went to help John as he went down. Captain Stanley was out the door in a flash looking for a doctor, Mike and Marco picked John up and laid him back on the bed. “I'm alright just give me a minute to get the spinning to stop. Nice move Chet!”
“How was I supposed to know that you would fall over as easy as my grandfather?” They could all tell by Chet's voice that he was worried too.
Captain Stanley rushed back into the room with Brackett and Dixie right on his heals. “Roy what happened?” Brackett was checking Johnny's eyes and Dixie was getting a new set of vitals.
“Same as before only it wasn't his fault this time.”
Chet stepped forward as he spoke. “It was me Doc I was picking on John and tossed a pillow at him. If I had known he was still off kilter I would of never tossed it at him.” “It's alright Chet! I'm fine.”
Brackett went on talking to Roy as if John was not even in the room. “Did he hit anything when he went down?”
“No, but he did go all the way out this time but just for a second and he went all the way to the floor the guys here picked him up.”
“Alright John, was it just like last time was it worse then before or not as bad as?”
John took a deep breath, “Worse doc! And it's not stopped all the way yet.”
Brackett looked in to John's eyes with the light once again. He was still worried about this. “Dixie I want a CAT scan and another set of x-rays of this thick head.”
“Right Kel.” she went out to make the calls for the test that were ordered.
“Okay men I think its time to let these two get some more rest. Roy if you want to get out of here I think you better replace Chet in that bed or you'll be here another night.” Without even turning to look at Chet he barked, “Move it Kelly!” Roy went right to the bed and lay down like he was a sleep.
“John will talk to you later pal. Roy call us if you need a ride later.” Cap then shoved the rest of the men out the door.
“Thanks cap thanks guys!”
John was now starting to feel sleepy for some reason, “Doc?”
“Right here John you filling any better?” “Tired.”
“Okay we'll be done here soon but till then I want you to stay a wake for me alright?” Only Johnny didn't answer he was already out. “John, Johnny? Open up look at me come on!” Brackett shook his head.
“Doc what's going on with Johnny he is going to be alright isn't he?”
“Yeah Roy I think he'll be alright. I think has to something to do with the swelling he's been having. My best guess is that when his swelling goes down his dizziness with go a way. We'll know more when the tests come back. I'll let you know what we find out Roy.”
“Thanks Doc.” Roy couldn't help but lay in his bed thinking that this all started when Chet headed up a handle to a pot and Johnny grabbed a hold of it. He couldn't help but think to himself that it must have been a warning of things to come. It didn't take long before Roy was sounded a sleep and it even seemed shorter before someone came into the room to get Gage for his test.
“Man won't let me sleep for one minute.” Roy complained without opening his eyes. “Well then I guess it's a good thing you're going home then huh?”
Roy's eyes flew open when he heard the voice of his wife. “Jo when did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago I didn't want to wake you until they brought lunch in. When I saw what they brought in. I ordered a pizza for you and Johnny.”
Roy knew there was a reason he loved his wife so much and that was one reason right there. She knew what he wanted even before he did. “Thanks Jo. Johnny will be glad to see it.”
She looked toward the door as they wheeled Johnny out of the room. “But will he be able to have any of it. He didn't look too awake just now?”
Roy went on to explain what was going on with Johnny and that the doctor wanted to run a few more test to make sure. It was almost 10 minutes later before Roy remembered what his wife had said when he was waking up. “Joanne did doctor Brackett say I was going home today?”
“I talked to him before I came in and he seems to think it will be alright to send you home but you have to rest and not work for the next 2 shifts.”
“Oh yeah, hey but what about Johnny?”
Jo shook her head. “Sorry I think they will be keeping him for a few more days. I'm to let the Doctor Brackett know how you do with your dinner and if you keep it down. Alright?”
Roy was glad he was going home he missed the kids and he knew they would be worrying about him even if mom said that daddy was alright. After Roy had finished his pizza, they return John to the room. This time however he was wide a wake. “Hi Joanne when did you get here?”
She went to his side, “Oh while you were a sleep, I didn't want to wake you up. Are you hungry I brought some pizza. No sense making yourself ill by eating the food in this place.”
“Hey our food is not that bad.” Doctor Early was the always the first one to offend the food at rampart.
“Hey Doctor Early are you in for tonight?”
“Yes I am Roy and how are you feeling?”
Joanne looked at her husband as he answered, “Just fine doc can I get out of here and go home?” Doctor Early did another check on Roy's eyes and had a nurse get a fresh set of vitals before he decided that Brackett was right, the man was well enough to go home. However he gave Joanne a list of the do not's, that Brackett had left for Roy. “Joanne if you find him breaking one just one of these do not items Brackett wants him right back here. All you have to do is call Hank and the men from the station they will drag him back kicking and screaming all the way.”
Roy wore a look of shock on his face, “Doc my name is not Johnny!”
John wore a look of surprise on his face at the comment made by his friend. “So Doc when can I get out of here too?”
Joe looked down at his ring and turned it as he spoke he always had a bad habit of doing this when he was about to give bad news to some one. “Well John we were right the episodes you have been having are from the swelling and it seems to be almost gone but we don't want to let you out of here just yet. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Roy wore a real big smile on his face. “You see I told you my names is not Johnny I'm out of here and he's got to stay!”
Nena here you go one Roy owie just for you I know it's not what you wanted but hey give me time I'm a Johnny person lol
Liz this is starting to be a habit writing stories for you lol
Well how did I do lol
Barbara