Going to Extreme
Measures
Chapter Fifteen
by GCS
"Station 51 Fireman Kelly speaking," Chet said answering the ringing phone in dayroom.
"Hello, could I speak to Mike Stoker please?" Lizzy asked.
"May I tell him who is calling?" Chet did not remember a female calling for Mike and curiosity was getting the best of him.
"Elizabeth Dunn."
"Hold on a sec, I'll get him." Chet laid the receiver down and went to the bay to call Mike to the phone. As often was the case Mike was polishing his beloved engine. "Oh Mikey! There's a woman on the phone for you," Chet sing songed calling Mike to the phone. "Says her name is ."
"Shut up Chet," Mike said as he brushed by him on the way to the phone. "Hello Lizzy." He turned his back to the room to have as private a conversation as he could.
"Hey Mike, I was just visiting Johnny and thought I'd give you an update. He's pretty sick. I think his temperature is pretty high. Mostly he's sleeping. I met a nurse, Dixie. I think that's her name. She's checking on him now."
"She's the head nurse in the ER. She works with Johnny and Roy when they bring in patients. She'll take good care of him. She cares a lot about those two. Is he on oxygen?"
"No. At least he wasn't when I left the room, but he didn't sound too good either. He was sick when my dad found him sleeping at the hot dog stand, but it was nothing like this."
"Yeah Johnny's had a lot of smoke inhalation that has caused him to be more susceptible to pneumonia. Then of course there's having his spleen removed. He's tough though." Mike rubbed his forehead. He was worried about his friend. "I should have made sure he got dry clothes the other day. Maybe made sure he got a hot shower."
"Mike you are not responsible for him being sick. He's a grown man. These things just happen."
"I know, but…"
"No buts Mike Stoker. I'm telling you this is not your fault. Stop beating yourself up over Johnny being sick. He wouldn't want you to do that." Lizzy reasoned with Mike.
"Okay Lizzy. Do me a favor and tell Johnny we'll try to stop by when we get a chance. If not before I'll get by after shift in the morning."
"I will Mike. Is there any chance we could see each other tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.
"I'd like that," He smiled.
"I'd like that too. I'll be at the stand helping dad tomorrow afternoon if you feel like some surfing."
"I'll let you know. It depends on how Johnny's doing. But can we at least plan on dinner? I'll make some spaghetti. You could come to my place for dinner." Mike hoped she would say yes. He wanted to get to know her better.
"That would be nice. I'm going to go back and visit with Johnny a little longer. If there's any change I'll call you back."
Just as he was about to tell her goodbye the tones went off. "Uh Lizzy we got a call. I gotta go." He hung up the phone before she could say goodbye.
She stood at the nurse's desk with her hand on the receiver for a few minutes. "Is everything alright miss?" a nurse asked her.
"Oh sorry, yes everything is alright. Everything is perfect." Lizzy smiled broadly. She was going to Mike's for dinner tomorrow night. She really liked him, and couldn't help the excitement growing as she thought about spending an evening at his house. And he could cook. There were definite possibilities with this man. She walked back toward Johnny's room. She stopped at the door when she saw a doctor leaning over the bed listening to Johnny's chest.
"Johnny your lungs are pretty congested. I think we need to put you on some oxygen to help you breathe. I'm going to increase your antibiotic. I don't like the way things are sounding. I want to try to keep you off the vent this time." He reached for the oxygen mask on the wall.
Johnny looked up at him wearily, "Okay doc."
Dixie was bathing his face with a damp cloth. "Don't worry tiger. We're going to have you better in no time."
Lizzy could tell by the way the doctor and nurse took care of Johnny that they really cared about him. She knew he didn't have any family except his aunt, and she was glad to know he had made some good friendships during his years in the fire department. She walked into the room and stood by the door waiting to be sure she wouldn'tnb be in the way.
"Lizzy this is Dr. Brackett," Dixie introduced him. "Kel this is Lizzy. She's a friend of Johnny's."
"Well really he's more like family. We kind of adopted him a long time ago, my dad and me. He's pretty important to us, we just kind of lost track of him for a while. I found him on the beach the other day with a friend of his and now he's ended up here." She stepped up and shook Dr. Brackett's hand.
"Lizzy watched Johnny and Mike Stoker work on that drowning victim the other day. Johnny was the off duty paramedic we heard about." Dixie explained.
"I see," Brackett said knowingly. "Well that helps explain the pneumonia."
"Is he going to be alright?" Lizzy asked.
"Well he's pretty sick right now, but he'll be fine in time. Unfortunately this is not the first time we've nursed Johnny through pneumonia. His immune system is just not as strong as it used to be." Dr. Brackett patted Johnny on the leg. "Take it easy Johnny. I'll be back to check on you in a couple of hours. Nice to meet you." He said to Lizzy as he left the room.
"Lizzy don't stay too long. He need's his rest." Dixie smiled at Lizzy. She knew her presence was good for Johnny, but she didn't want him trying to stay awake to entertain her.
"No I won't Dixie. Thank you for taking such good care of him."
"He's worth it." Dixie put her hand on Johnny's forehead one last time before leaving the room.
"Hey Johnny-bro, you really have some good friends, especially that Mike Stoker. Why have you been keeping him from me all this time?"
"Huh?" Johnny looked up at her confused.
"Nothing sweetie, I'm going to go now. I'll tell dad to wait until tomorrow to visit. You try to get some sleep okay?" She kissed him on the cheek and brushed the damp hair from his forehead. "I love you Johnny-bro."
"Love you too Lizzy," he whispered.
Roy stood outside the door to Johnny's room not wanting to disturb the two friends while they said their goodbyes. Lizzy came out of the room and almost ran into Roy. "Oh hi Roy."
"Hi Lizzy, how's he doing?"
"The doctor put him on oxygen. He said he was increasing the antibiotic. I'm really worried about him. Dad was going to come by tonight after he closed the stand, but I'm going to tell him to wait til tomorrow. Maybe Johnny will feel better by then. It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too Lizzy. Tell Gus I said hello." He turned and went into Johnny's room. "Hey Junior." Johnny looked up at his partner through glossy eyes. "How ya feeling?" Roy knew the answer, but that question just always came out when he was visiting his partner in the hospital.
"K"
"Yeah, I can see that." He said sarcastically. "We just got back from a house fire. I rode in with a smoke inhalation victim. Cap and the guys are going to stop by in a minute." Just as he finished telling Johnny the crew was coming by they all filtered into the room.
"Hey Gage I see you're laying around on the job again," Chet ribbed Johnny.
"Stow it Kelly," Captain Stanley said walking up to the bedside. "How's he doing Roy?"
"He's doing okay Cap. He had a visitor when I got here, his friend Lizzy."
"Lizzy was here?" Mike asked with much enthusiasm. The other members of his crew looked at Mike astonished at how he lit up at the mention of Lizzy.
"Lizzy as in Elizabeth Dunn?" Chet asked. Mike just glared at Chet. "Well?"
"She's an old friend of Johnny's." Roy explained.
"Do you know Lizzy Roy?" Mike asked.
"Sure Johnny and I go by Gus' stand for chili dogs whenever we get out that way on a run. Johnny's known them a long time."
"Oh." Mike's face reddened when he realized his conversation with Roy was the center of attention. He patted Johnny's knee and backed against the wall beside the door, leaned back and crossed his arms and resumed his normal quiet behavior.
"Well men, John needs his rest, and we have a station to get back to. John, I hope you feel better." Captain Stanley clapped his hands together, "Let's go guys." The engine crew turned to leave.
Marco walked over to the bed, "Mama sends her love Johnny. She said when you are better she will be bringing you something good to eat." The engine crew left.
"Johnny, I'm sorry I didn't see how bad you felt. I should have known you were sick…." Roy didn't get to say much about how bad he felt about not realizing Johnny was so sick before Johnny interrupted him.
"No Roy. Not your fault. I should have said something."
Not wanting to upset Johnny he let the subject drop. He could talk to Johnny about it later. "Okay, I guess I better go too. Brice is downstairs restocking. He'll be waiting for me. I'll see you when we get another run."
Johnny raised his hand and gave a little wave to his best friend, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
"Hey Mike how did you meet Johnny's friend?" Chet asked as soon as they got back to the station. Mike did not answer. "Earth to Mike….."
"What do you want Chet?" Mike asked annoyed at the interrogation.
"I just wanted to know how you know that girl."
"None of your business Chet."
"Oh testy. What are you so upset for Mike? Do you like her?"
"Shut up Chet." Mike stopped and stood directly in front of Chet almost nose to nose. "It's none of your business." He stalked out of the dayroom and headed to the dorm.
"Hey Marco I think Mikey has a new girlfriend."
Marco smiled at Chet, "I think you are right Amigo, but you better watch yourself with Mike. He's not as easy going as Johnny is."
"I know that Marco. I sure do miss my pigeon too." The squad backed into the bay and Chet went to talk to Roy meeting him before he could get out of the squad. "Hey Roy, Johnny didn't look too good."
"No Chet he's in the hospital."
"Yeah, yeah I know. Is he going to be alright?"
"I think so Chet, but I thought you didn't care." Roy smiled at Chet.
"I just….I just don't want to have to break in a new pigeon."
"Yeah, sure Chet I know." Roy laughed as he went into the kitchen and over to the coffee pot. They all knew that deep down Chet cared deeply for Johnny and Johnny for Chet. They just had this unwritten agreement to annoy each other as much as possible. No one understood it, it was just that way.
"So Roy, why don't you tell me about that friend of Johnny's you mentioned at the hospital?" The mischievous look Chet got in his eyes when he was up to something did not go unnoticed by Roy.
"Nothing to tell Chet, she's an old friend of Johnny's. Her dad is the Gus that owns Gus' Chili Cheese Dog down at the beach. I think she's a professional surfer when she isn't helping her dad."
"Professional surfer, Gage knows a professional surfer, and he's never bragged about it? No way man….no way."
"Hello, could I speak to Mike Stoker please?" Lizzy asked.
"May I tell him who is calling?" Chet did not remember a female calling for Mike and curiosity was getting the best of him.
"Elizabeth Dunn."
"Hold on a sec, I'll get him." Chet laid the receiver down and went to the bay to call Mike to the phone. As often was the case Mike was polishing his beloved engine. "Oh Mikey! There's a woman on the phone for you," Chet sing songed calling Mike to the phone. "Says her name is ."
"Shut up Chet," Mike said as he brushed by him on the way to the phone. "Hello Lizzy." He turned his back to the room to have as private a conversation as he could.
"Hey Mike, I was just visiting Johnny and thought I'd give you an update. He's pretty sick. I think his temperature is pretty high. Mostly he's sleeping. I met a nurse, Dixie. I think that's her name. She's checking on him now."
"She's the head nurse in the ER. She works with Johnny and Roy when they bring in patients. She'll take good care of him. She cares a lot about those two. Is he on oxygen?"
"No. At least he wasn't when I left the room, but he didn't sound too good either. He was sick when my dad found him sleeping at the hot dog stand, but it was nothing like this."
"Yeah Johnny's had a lot of smoke inhalation that has caused him to be more susceptible to pneumonia. Then of course there's having his spleen removed. He's tough though." Mike rubbed his forehead. He was worried about his friend. "I should have made sure he got dry clothes the other day. Maybe made sure he got a hot shower."
"Mike you are not responsible for him being sick. He's a grown man. These things just happen."
"I know, but…"
"No buts Mike Stoker. I'm telling you this is not your fault. Stop beating yourself up over Johnny being sick. He wouldn't want you to do that." Lizzy reasoned with Mike.
"Okay Lizzy. Do me a favor and tell Johnny we'll try to stop by when we get a chance. If not before I'll get by after shift in the morning."
"I will Mike. Is there any chance we could see each other tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.
"I'd like that," He smiled.
"I'd like that too. I'll be at the stand helping dad tomorrow afternoon if you feel like some surfing."
"I'll let you know. It depends on how Johnny's doing. But can we at least plan on dinner? I'll make some spaghetti. You could come to my place for dinner." Mike hoped she would say yes. He wanted to get to know her better.
"That would be nice. I'm going to go back and visit with Johnny a little longer. If there's any change I'll call you back."
Just as he was about to tell her goodbye the tones went off. "Uh Lizzy we got a call. I gotta go." He hung up the phone before she could say goodbye.
She stood at the nurse's desk with her hand on the receiver for a few minutes. "Is everything alright miss?" a nurse asked her.
"Oh sorry, yes everything is alright. Everything is perfect." Lizzy smiled broadly. She was going to Mike's for dinner tomorrow night. She really liked him, and couldn't help the excitement growing as she thought about spending an evening at his house. And he could cook. There were definite possibilities with this man. She walked back toward Johnny's room. She stopped at the door when she saw a doctor leaning over the bed listening to Johnny's chest.
"Johnny your lungs are pretty congested. I think we need to put you on some oxygen to help you breathe. I'm going to increase your antibiotic. I don't like the way things are sounding. I want to try to keep you off the vent this time." He reached for the oxygen mask on the wall.
Johnny looked up at him wearily, "Okay doc."
Dixie was bathing his face with a damp cloth. "Don't worry tiger. We're going to have you better in no time."
Lizzy could tell by the way the doctor and nurse took care of Johnny that they really cared about him. She knew he didn't have any family except his aunt, and she was glad to know he had made some good friendships during his years in the fire department. She walked into the room and stood by the door waiting to be sure she wouldn'tnb be in the way.
"Lizzy this is Dr. Brackett," Dixie introduced him. "Kel this is Lizzy. She's a friend of Johnny's."
"Well really he's more like family. We kind of adopted him a long time ago, my dad and me. He's pretty important to us, we just kind of lost track of him for a while. I found him on the beach the other day with a friend of his and now he's ended up here." She stepped up and shook Dr. Brackett's hand.
"Lizzy watched Johnny and Mike Stoker work on that drowning victim the other day. Johnny was the off duty paramedic we heard about." Dixie explained.
"I see," Brackett said knowingly. "Well that helps explain the pneumonia."
"Is he going to be alright?" Lizzy asked.
"Well he's pretty sick right now, but he'll be fine in time. Unfortunately this is not the first time we've nursed Johnny through pneumonia. His immune system is just not as strong as it used to be." Dr. Brackett patted Johnny on the leg. "Take it easy Johnny. I'll be back to check on you in a couple of hours. Nice to meet you." He said to Lizzy as he left the room.
"Lizzy don't stay too long. He need's his rest." Dixie smiled at Lizzy. She knew her presence was good for Johnny, but she didn't want him trying to stay awake to entertain her.
"No I won't Dixie. Thank you for taking such good care of him."
"He's worth it." Dixie put her hand on Johnny's forehead one last time before leaving the room.
"Hey Johnny-bro, you really have some good friends, especially that Mike Stoker. Why have you been keeping him from me all this time?"
"Huh?" Johnny looked up at her confused.
"Nothing sweetie, I'm going to go now. I'll tell dad to wait until tomorrow to visit. You try to get some sleep okay?" She kissed him on the cheek and brushed the damp hair from his forehead. "I love you Johnny-bro."
"Love you too Lizzy," he whispered.
Roy stood outside the door to Johnny's room not wanting to disturb the two friends while they said their goodbyes. Lizzy came out of the room and almost ran into Roy. "Oh hi Roy."
"Hi Lizzy, how's he doing?"
"The doctor put him on oxygen. He said he was increasing the antibiotic. I'm really worried about him. Dad was going to come by tonight after he closed the stand, but I'm going to tell him to wait til tomorrow. Maybe Johnny will feel better by then. It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too Lizzy. Tell Gus I said hello." He turned and went into Johnny's room. "Hey Junior." Johnny looked up at his partner through glossy eyes. "How ya feeling?" Roy knew the answer, but that question just always came out when he was visiting his partner in the hospital.
"K"
"Yeah, I can see that." He said sarcastically. "We just got back from a house fire. I rode in with a smoke inhalation victim. Cap and the guys are going to stop by in a minute." Just as he finished telling Johnny the crew was coming by they all filtered into the room.
"Hey Gage I see you're laying around on the job again," Chet ribbed Johnny.
"Stow it Kelly," Captain Stanley said walking up to the bedside. "How's he doing Roy?"
"He's doing okay Cap. He had a visitor when I got here, his friend Lizzy."
"Lizzy was here?" Mike asked with much enthusiasm. The other members of his crew looked at Mike astonished at how he lit up at the mention of Lizzy.
"Lizzy as in Elizabeth Dunn?" Chet asked. Mike just glared at Chet. "Well?"
"She's an old friend of Johnny's." Roy explained.
"Do you know Lizzy Roy?" Mike asked.
"Sure Johnny and I go by Gus' stand for chili dogs whenever we get out that way on a run. Johnny's known them a long time."
"Oh." Mike's face reddened when he realized his conversation with Roy was the center of attention. He patted Johnny's knee and backed against the wall beside the door, leaned back and crossed his arms and resumed his normal quiet behavior.
"Well men, John needs his rest, and we have a station to get back to. John, I hope you feel better." Captain Stanley clapped his hands together, "Let's go guys." The engine crew turned to leave.
Marco walked over to the bed, "Mama sends her love Johnny. She said when you are better she will be bringing you something good to eat." The engine crew left.
"Johnny, I'm sorry I didn't see how bad you felt. I should have known you were sick…." Roy didn't get to say much about how bad he felt about not realizing Johnny was so sick before Johnny interrupted him.
"No Roy. Not your fault. I should have said something."
Not wanting to upset Johnny he let the subject drop. He could talk to Johnny about it later. "Okay, I guess I better go too. Brice is downstairs restocking. He'll be waiting for me. I'll see you when we get another run."
Johnny raised his hand and gave a little wave to his best friend, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
"Hey Mike how did you meet Johnny's friend?" Chet asked as soon as they got back to the station. Mike did not answer. "Earth to Mike….."
"What do you want Chet?" Mike asked annoyed at the interrogation.
"I just wanted to know how you know that girl."
"None of your business Chet."
"Oh testy. What are you so upset for Mike? Do you like her?"
"Shut up Chet." Mike stopped and stood directly in front of Chet almost nose to nose. "It's none of your business." He stalked out of the dayroom and headed to the dorm.
"Hey Marco I think Mikey has a new girlfriend."
Marco smiled at Chet, "I think you are right Amigo, but you better watch yourself with Mike. He's not as easy going as Johnny is."
"I know that Marco. I sure do miss my pigeon too." The squad backed into the bay and Chet went to talk to Roy meeting him before he could get out of the squad. "Hey Roy, Johnny didn't look too good."
"No Chet he's in the hospital."
"Yeah, yeah I know. Is he going to be alright?"
"I think so Chet, but I thought you didn't care." Roy smiled at Chet.
"I just….I just don't want to have to break in a new pigeon."
"Yeah, sure Chet I know." Roy laughed as he went into the kitchen and over to the coffee pot. They all knew that deep down Chet cared deeply for Johnny and Johnny for Chet. They just had this unwritten agreement to annoy each other as much as possible. No one understood it, it was just that way.
"So Roy, why don't you tell me about that friend of Johnny's you mentioned at the hospital?" The mischievous look Chet got in his eyes when he was up to something did not go unnoticed by Roy.
"Nothing to tell Chet, she's an old friend of Johnny's. Her dad is the Gus that owns Gus' Chili Cheese Dog down at the beach. I think she's a professional surfer when she isn't helping her dad."
"Professional surfer, Gage knows a professional surfer, and he's never bragged about it? No way man….no way."
