Great Mike story! You have him perfectly...plus you got Johnny perfectly too. I love his first concern for his "girl." And how he could imagine Johnny perfectly. All those years a perfect record, only to get hurt when bringing in the k-12. Poor Mike!

This Stoker fan absolutely loves this!
I love Stoker fics - since he was relegated to the background in the show, he's basically a blank canvas for the author - and you are a Rembrandt!
You have a fan here, my dear...

Another great fic from you. AND it's a Mike fic! I'm a sucker for a Mike or Hank fic. Always was, always will be. They've always been my fave characters.

Mike can always guarantee that his shift-mates will come after him, and that he will worry about his Engine. (I can't help but think that he would be worrying about who drove the Engine either to (a) Rempart or (b) back to the barn.

Great fic, great characterisations and nice touches of humour in it.

This was a good one. It's really nice to see a Stoker story here on FF, mostly I've only seen ones of AO3. But I gotta say, this one was really pleasing to read.

Great story with only one problem. It's too SHORT!

Loved the humor and the characterizations!

Sounds like Mike spent too much time reading "How To Get Injured on the Job Without Really Trying" by John Roderick Gage! (That being the sequel to "How to Lose Your Helmet in 10 Easy Lessons!) I also understand that John is also an amateur herpetologist specializing in the study of rattlesnake behavior (-;

About the ONLY "improvement" I would suggest is to let us know specifically how Mike came to be in this spot in the first place. What were Chester B. and Marco doing? If there was a fire, I can hardly see Cap having Mike leave his post at the pumps and gauges. Cap could've brought the K-12 in (and thus ended up in Mike's predicament!) During the series, if there was a fire, I'm hard-pressed to recall Mike ever leaving the side of the engine. I don't believe he ever did. At non-fires, though, he'd help on ropes and the like.

Kudos to the unknown kid from 127 who actually followed Mike's instructions!

I like how the humor lightens the mood.

I really liked this story, I kind of whished that the story had another chapter... or a sequel? Just an idea.

Nice story! I liked it! Sounds just like Stoker too!

I always find it interesting to see a usually background character, like Mike, being explored a little. This didn't let me down at all!

I haven't read many of your stories yet, but summer has just started. I can't wait.

And ya know, I think a long time ago I found the story The Fire Talks, read it, and liked it. I don't remember much of it now. Clearly I have to reread it, and I am loving that idea!

I really liked this one! "...not moving a muscle, which had to be really hard for him." Too funny! Loved how he was so worried about Red and kept referring to "her". Very sweet and cute.

I loved Mike's portrayal. You excel at these types of short stories, these snapshots in time! I love the way you always come full circle and leave me with a sense of satisfaction.

Loved this story. It really is in line with how I see Mike. I loved the description of Johnny cocking his head, trying to determine where Mike is. It will be interesting to see where this challenge leads.

Nice job! As others said, this really captures Mike. Love how he calls the engine his "girl".