Phantom Fears

by MM

disclaimer: The characters (and they certainly are!) do not belong to me although I'm upping the wuppings to three. As always I'll help 'em up, dust them off, give 'em a smooch and send them back when I'm done.

rating: T

Note: This is a sequel to "Remembering"

#2 Thanks, Crockettsgirl; fixed those two anachronic bits!

Chapter one: In which Chester B. Kelly learns there are limits.

Chet Kelly strode into the kitchen looking for the coffee. It was the second morning of a 48 and he needed some serious caffeine given the interrupted night's sleep he had. Why people forgot to turn off their propane bar-b-cues was beyond him. At least no one was hurt by the small explosion that knocked cinderblocks into the owner's pool.

He also wanted to be well away from the dorm lockers. He'd left a little surprise for his favorite pigeon and figured just hearing the yell would be reward enough for a water bomb well placed. Captain Stanley had been all over his... posterior... about pranking the lanky paramedic. It had taken a couple months, and lots of latrine duty, to figure out what was permissible and how often he could pull one off. Water was ok. Actually, it was the only thing that was Ok come to think of it. Spiders, spiderwebs, snakes, various vicid fluids, alternative seasonings in food, and staining uniforms absolutely earned latrine.

Hmmm, what about short sheeting the bed? That was one thing he hadn't tried! He'd save that for next shift once this little water bomb blew over. He chuckled at the pun he'd made, earning a very strange look from Mike Stoker who'd been reading the morning paper.

"CHESTER B. KELLY!" a loud, angry voice sounded from the dorm and drew an exasperated sigh from Mike.

"Water bomb in the locker?" the normally quiet man asked.

"Yep!" Chet replied with a big grin. He looked at the doorway trying to decide if he needed to make a hasty retreat to take Boots out side. Marco walked through first with a big grin on his face.

"Nailed him head on," the man snickered. Mike tossed him a sour look, but Chet just smiled all the more. Stanley poked his head in from the office.

"That's one, Kelly," he warned. One was good. It was when they got to two it became a little more... intense. Three was not good, not good at all. For the time being, Chet was content with one.

Roy came in next with an annoyed look on his face and said nothing as he poured two cups of coffee. He left the way he came.

"Hey, Kelly, BREAKFAST!" Cap's voice was not happy. Cap's voice was at 'four' by the sound of it. Chet quickly went to the fridge to get out sausage patties, sliced cheese and English muffins.

A scant half-hour later the paramedics had completed their morning check and the chef had assembled sausage muffins. Some canned peaches 'rounded' out the meal and soon all six men were busy eating and talking about the upcoming three day break.

Marco and Chet had big plans to go out to Mojave to do some serious off-road cycling. Marco's brother had dirt bikes and had been willing to lend them for the middle of the week trek. Roy's honey-do list was already to page two and he was doing some serious negotiation with his partner to come out and help. Johnny already had weaseled two lunches and at least one dinner out of his Pally and was now gunning for a second home-cooked supper.

Glancing at the list in front of him, Roy actually agreed. Feeding the bottomless pit of a partner would be more than worth it! He'd be able to get all the things done and have at least a day and a half left for more pleasant pursuits.

Mike was rather quiet about his plans, although surfing would definitely play a big part in it. He was dating, rather seriously, but he wasn't ready to share that information with his crew mates. It was bad enough just watching Johnny get nailed! He did not want to be at the teasing end of one of Chet's pranks!

"Well, I think I have you all beat," Hank smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "Emily took the kids to DC for ten days over their break so I get to bach it! No honey-do list, no kids needing homework help. Just me and the TV and lots of peace and quiet!"Johnny leaned over and whispered something to Roy which caused him to spit out a mouthful of coffee, muffin fragments and start laughing. How the younger man was able to make the normally stoic man convulse in laughter was a mystery, but there he sat trying hard to control himself while Johnny mopped up the spill.

"You... wouldn't.... dare," the older paramedic managed to gasp. A smirk painted Gage's face.

"Probably not," he agreed pretending to think. "Check with me when we get to page two of the H-D list."

"Do I even want to know?" Hank asked, suspicion in his voice. Roy shook his head emphatically.

"NO!" he said loudly, "no sir, you don't want to know."

The men sat enjoying the end of their cups of coffee while their captain ran over the assignments. Since Chet had been the lunch/dinner/breakfast chef the job rotated over to Mike. Chet was now in charge of the dorms. Even though prepping three meals could be difficult, at least you finished up with an easy ending. Before they could actually start the chores part of the day they were toned out to a multi-car accident on the 405 north at La Tijera. Only one of the busiest pieces of freeway in SoCal. Tearing off two sheets, Hank passed one to Roy and hustled with the other to the engine.

8 blaring minutes later they entered the freeway and began the slow assault. Moving the few ticks of a mile took another 4 minutes as they had to weave around more than a few cars and drive hugging the shoulder for the rest. Fortunately the CHP had been able to clear room around the actual accident and both engine and squad could come close.

Jumping out of the squad the paramedics grabbed coats and gloves. They moved towards the three cars planning along the way.

"Take the middle, I'll get the last one," Roy decided. At least it was a rather slow-moving crash, although the middle was an accordioned honda while the sports car was smashed back to the driver's compartment. The Suburban might be scratched, but it was hard to tell, darn thing was as big as a tank.

Johnny took a quick assessment of the honda. Driver only, clear back seat. Roy's assessment had driver and a child in the back seat. Independently they looked over the injuries and started providing care.

Roy was able to open the door. The driver was alert with what appeared to be a gash on his forehead and pain across his ribs from the seat belt. He called to Marco for help in extricating his patient. The child in the back seat was fine, just very frightened. Chet was put to work calming her and getting her to safety.

As the paramedics worked on the patients, Hank approached the cars and began popping battery cables off batteries. There was no fuel spill, no smoke, no indication of any vehicular problems so he simply waited for the tow trucks.

Johnny had a single female with a cut lip from hitting the steering wheel. She'd managed to give herself a black eye as well when her head connected with her clenched hand on the steering wheel as well.

"Ma'am? Are you awake?" he asked. He was greeted with a low moan. Carefully he felt along her arms and down her legs to be sure everything was Ok. He didn't feel any breaks and concentrated on her head and neck.

"Ma'am? Can you hear me?" he asked again. "I'm John Gage and I'm here to help you." he felt along her shoulders and then began to look at her head. There was a huge bump forming on her forehead above her left eye. He checked her eyes and was pleased to see that both pupil reacted appropriately.

"I'm gonna need a backboard here!" he called over his shoulder. Hank sent Mike over with the requested equipment and helped Johnny position and pull the driver out of her car. Together they carried her over to the squad for treatment.

"Mike, would you go over and check the Suburban?" Johnny asked as he began taking blood pressure readings. Mike nodded and headed back to the crash. Roy, Marco and Chet came next with their patient and the child. Chet easily settled the girl on his lap and kept her attention as the paramedic began putting a pressure bandage on the head gash.

As a tag team they contacted Rampart with vitals, began IVs and prepared for transport. Mike Morton began taking vitals and giving medical directions for IVs and treatment. Finally, two ambulances carted off the injured. The driver of the big tank signed a release and continued on her way.

The squad, with Chet riding in the middle, arrived back at the station after 11 am. Mike and Marco were pulling up hose. Hank was in the office writing up yet another report. Johnny and Roy climbed out. Roy headed for the kitchen for clean-up while Gage headed out to relieve Mike for lunch. Chet headed back to the dorms to sweep the floor.

By luck alone they were all able to sit down and eat sandwiches and salad prepared by chef Mike. It was great to be able to relax and eat without being called. They discussed the Dodgers' chances for the upcoming season over glasses of iced tea.

Until the next tone out. The music played for quite a stretch. Station 51, 48, squad 36 and Engine 10 going out to a factory fire. Taking the slip Roy passed it over to Johnny and they were off towards the docks.

When they arrived the building was fully involved and threatening the adjoining buildings. Immediately, Hank laid out the two and a half and directed Marco and Chet to start on in the south side. Johnny and Roy began search and rescue as Mike monitored his gages.

After talking with the other captains, it was ascertained that only one person was inside the building. Roy and Johnny found him quickly and carried him out by the squad for treatment. Since it was now 'just' knocking the fire down, Hank followed the hose in to check on Marco and Chet. They had worked themselves into the building and were hitting the fire head on.

Glancing around the edges of the room Hank saw a body and immediately got on the horn.

"Squad 51, second victim found," he said quickly. "Follow the hose in." Slapping the antenna into the handi-talk he knelt down to check the man as his firemen continued to send water in and around the blaze, beginning to contain it.

Johnny ran into the building following the hose as his captain directed. He easily located his crew mates and made a quick assessment.

"Looks like he's eaten a lot of smoke, Cap," he said. "I don't see any other injuries and he has a good pulse. Let's just get him out of here." Hank nodded and waved to Marco.

"Help Gage, I'll back Kelly," he decided and picked up the hose. Marco quickly went to help carry the victim out. They'd just made it to the door when there was a low rumbling noise. Looking back the two men watched as the wall slowly collapsed covering the hose duo.

"CAP!" "CHET!" the two men yelled.

"Take 'em to Roy," Johnny helped settle the man on Marco's back. "Send in all the guys you can and grab two backboards!!" He ran back to the pile of rubble and began the arduous task of heaving wood and stone off of his friends.

It seemed to take forever to get out of the building and over to Roy. The paramedic did a double-take.

"Marco? Where's Johnny?" Roy asked. "Is he hurt?

"No, he's fine," Marco panted. "Cap, Chet, got to go get help." He immediately hoofed it over to Engine 10's cap who was stationed nearby. He explained the problem and the cap jumped on the horn and called for reinforcements. It was fortunate that a lot of the fire had been knocked down and soon six men followed Marco back into the smoky building following the hose.

Johnny was dripping with sweat as he heaved yet another piece of debris off his friends. He had never felt his stomach drop so fast then when that wall went down on his Cap. As he worked he prayed to the spirits to keep both men safe.

Soon the additional men came and formed two lines pulling the brick and wood off faster. Cap was dug out first, lying partly on Chet's legs. There was a strong pulse and no apparent broken bones. Some cuts and probably some bruising starting, but that was all. Carefully Hank was rolled and tied down to a backboard and carried out. Chet was next. He, too, seemed to have no broken bones but did have a large gash on his head with a lump forming. His hat had been knocked partially off by whatever had struck him.

He'd have probably bashed his skull in if the hat hadn't been there. Once on the backboard he was carried out as well followed by Johnny. The three remaining men pulled out the hose and resumed watering down the now smoldering mess.

It was all Johnny could do not to run directly over to Cap and the 38s paramedics. Heaven knows that was where his heart was. But he contained himself and turned to get vitals on Chet. Roy seemed to have the other two victims well in hand, the first was sitting up with no trouble enjoying the ability to breath air. The second had an airway in and was being fed O2.

Contacting Rampart earned Chet an IV and a pressure bandage. He was loaded up and Johnny rode in with him. Priority next switched to the 38s and their patient who had yet to regain consciousness. Finally, Roy was last up transporting both of his patients at once.

As the fire turned to clean-up, the battalion chief with 10s stood down the rest of 51. Marco and Mike received help from that crew to pack up their hoses and the leftover equipment from the rescues. Finally they headed over to Rampart to check up on their fallen friends.

It was a good sign when Chet woke up in the ambulance. He was momentarily confused as it was not a normal position to be in: lying down with his pigeon checking his blood pressure.

"Well, hi, Chester B," Johnny grinned in relief. "How are you enjoying your ride?"

"Uh, I guess ok," he licked his lips. "But the siren's kind of loud."

"That's because you banged that thick skull of yours!" the paramedic explained. "I bet bright lights will hurt, too."

"Yeah," Chet thought some more then gave a jerk. "CAP! How's Cap???"

"Calm down, calm down," Gage cautioned. "He's right behind us with Dwyer. Seemed to be ok, but you know the docs want to check him out." He made light conversation all the while the fear lay curled low in his belly. His Cap was hurt! Cap was never hurt.

Backing into the ER slot Chet found himself squinting miserably at the ceiling lights as he was wheeled into an exam room. Soon Dr. Early was peering into his eyes and calling for a skull series. Johnny forced himself to stay in the room for the initial exam but as soon as x-ray came in he went to find Stanley.

"Room 2, Johnny," Dixie called down the hall. With a quick 'thanks' he zipped down to the exam room and carefully pushed in.

Dr. Bracket was poking and prodding a now-awake fire captain. Dwyer nodded at his colleague.

"Back hurts so they're going to do some x-rays," he said softly. "Full movement in his limbs so hopefully he just wrenched it when he went down. Gonna need a couple stitches here and there." Johnny nodded his thanks as the other paramedic picked up his gear and left.

"Well, Hank, you seem to be Ok, except for the back," Brackett said. "All your vitals are within range although you're on the high side on the blood pressure. We'll pull blood for panels and take an x-ray of your back. Just relax and the techs will get to you." Brackett turned and smiled at Gage.

"This is different," he teased. "Normally you're on the table."

"Believe me, doc," Johnny said in a subdued voice, "I'd rather it be me."

"Not me," the doctor replied. "I like a little variety!"

"I'm glad you're not here, too!" exclaimed the reclining man. "You spend enough time in here as it is!" Brackett took his leave and Johnny moved to the bed giving Cap a once over.

"Quit fussing," Hank complained. "Tell me about Chet." Johnny gave a rundown on the other man adding that the x-ray tech was in taking films.

"Now can I fuss?" Gage whined. The older man rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, go ahead," he pretended to be making the supreme sacrifice complying as his pal looked him over.

It took several hours to restaff Station 51 with substitutes. Mike slid into Cap's spot for the remainder of the shift while an engineer and fire man came in to cover the other two slots. Roy and Johnny had been pulled for a run during this time and finally joined their crew mates back at the station.

Marco quickly let them know both of their friends were going to be fine. Chet had a mild concussion and was staying overnight for observation. Cap had only pulled muscles in his back and could be released if he had someone to watch him. But Emily was out of town. Johnny looked over at Roy.

"Would you mind if I called in a sub and took care of Cap?" he asked quietly. Since they already had two in he figured one more wouldn't matter.

"Not normally," Roy replied. "But we're down two and I think Mike needs the backup. Let me call Joanne. She can take him home for the night and you can pick him up after shift." Seeing the logic behind the counter-offer he agreed. He couldn't leave Mike with three subs.

A few phone calls later Hank's escape was secured. Emily was called so that she and the kids could finish their trip. She was due home in two days and Johnny promised to pick her and the kids up at LAX. Engine 51 came back on duty and Roy and Johnny offered to cook dinner for Mike.

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