Emergency One Shots

Sizzle - Mem5701

Johnny stared blankly at the food laid out on the table before him. The empty paper grocery bags sitting on the chair.

"Bet you 10 dollars that Johnny can't cook a fancy meal," Chet had said last shift.

"Bet you 10 dollars you're wrong." He'd shot back.

"You're on."

"Cap," Johnny had said. "You're a witness." They shook each other's hands and Johnny's brain set into motion. What could he make?

As soon as the shift was over he'd gone straight to the library. He'd checked out seven different cookbooks. Now, as he stood blankly looking at his ingredients, it seemed hopeless.

"Heavy whipping cream," He mumbled under his breath as he picked it up. "Basil, onions, shrimp." He pulled out the cookbook and opened it to the page he had dog eared.

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.

"Roy?" He called. Roy poked his head into the kitchen.

"What," He asked.

"What is al dente?" He asked as he held up the cookbook.

"It means that the noodles are firm instead of soft," He said.

"Who wants to eat under cooked noodles?" Asked Johnny as he flipped through the recipe.

"You, apparently," said Roy  as he turned to leave.

"Hey wait!" Johnny called. "I need your help!"

"Good luck junior!" Roy called back, still walking away. Johnny thumped the cookbook back on the counter and glared at the now empty room. It was a good thing the engine was off on a run or he'd never hear the end of this escapade.

Meanwhile, pour cream into large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until just about boiling. Reduce heat, and add herbs, salt, peppers, onions, and parsley. Simmer 7 to 8 minutes, or until thickened.

"How am I supposed to stir this constantly?" He mumbled to himself. "While I deal with the noodles?"

He placed the big metal pot over the stove and turned the little knob; the stove clicked to life and the blue and orange flames flickered. He overturned the package of noodles and watched them fall into the pot with a satisfying sizzle and hiss of steam. Then he pulled out the sauce pan and clanked it down next to the noodles. He began plopping the listed ingredients into the pan. Now all he could do was wait.

He stood there with his right hand slowly circling in the sauce pan and his eyes trained meticulously on the noodles. He wasn't sure when they were supposed to be finished, what the heck even was al dente?

After a few minutes of this his arm started to get tired, he sighed. Cooking was hard. He looked back at the noodles, was that what al dente was supposed to look like? He reached across his right arm, still stirring, and grabbed a spoon out of the drawer. He dipped it into the pot and pooled a few noodles into it.

He brought the spoon to his lips to taste it, he blew on it for a second before putting the whole thing in his mouth.

Needless to say, it was boiling water, so it was very hot. He screamed and spit out the scalding water, the spoon clattered to the floor. He flung his arms up to his mouth, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes from the pain.

There was a thunderous crash as the sauce pan clattered onto his feet, spraying boiling sauce on him. He screamed in pain.

"Help!" He cried.

He flung himself towards the sink, as he moved he knocked over the pot of noodles. He screamed again as the boiling water hit his legs. His uncontrolled hands hit the knobs on the stove and he knocked one of them all the way to the highest it could go. The dish towel that was hanging from the stove top fluttered down and landed on the open flame.

All of the sudden the sprinklers and alarms were going. Roy burst into the room. He took one look at the mess and ran for the fire extinguisher. He raced back in and sprayed the whole stove with it, ending the fire.

Johnny stood there, dripping wet from the sprinklers, sauce all over him, the tap still running behind him.

"Are you okay?" Asked Roy as he set down the fire extinguisher and rushed towards Johnny.

"I think," He responded as he looked himself up and down.

"Are you burned anywhere?"

"No, I think the sprinklers got it in time," He said cracking a small smile. Roy sighed in relief and shook his head.

"You must be out of your mind," He said. "You almost set the fire station on fire." Johnny shot Roy a glare.

"No one else needs to know." He said. "No one."

"Fine," He said as he locked eyes with Johnny. "You clean, I'll order takeout."

Johnny looked back at the mess of a stove.

"It's my night to cook," He said. "How about I order the takeout and you..." Roy's glare cut him off. "Okay yeah," He said hurriedly. "You order the takeout, I'll go get some not burnt towels."

"Good idea," Said Roy, his expression unchanging. He watched as Johnny scampered out of the kitchen, he glanced back at their sizzling mess of a kitchen. This sure was gonna be a heck of a story.  

Authors note: Sorry it took so long, I've been super busy lately. Anyway I hope you like it mem5701 :)

Request more if you like! :D