Going to Extreme Measures

Chapter 14

Roy stayed with Johnny at the hospital until he was settled in his room. He had to wait for a replacement to arrive before the squad could go back into service anyway. Johnny's fever had risen and he slept restlessly. Roy brushed the damp hair from his forehead and placed a cool cloth there. "Relax Junior, you're gonna be okay. Dr. Brackett thinks he caught the infection in time to turn things around."

"R roy?"

"You should be sleeping. Try to sleep Johnny."

"I'm sick Roy. Don't feel good. T tell J Jenny 'n Chris 'm sorry about y yes yesterday."

"I know Junior. They'll understand. I'm sorry I was upset at you this morning. You should have told me you were sick when you called yesterday. We could have brought you to see Dr. Brackett and maybe prevented this from getting so bad."

"I didn't t think it w was this b bad. Ss sorry."

"Okay. Just sleep Johnny. It's the best thing for you right now." Roy bathed Johnny's face with the cloth, rewet it and replaced it on his forehead. I have to get back to the station now. Dwyer's coming in. He should be there soon. I'll stop by on our next run." He stood by the bed and watched Johnny finally relax in sleep.

Roy stopped by the nurse's desk on the way through the ER. Dixie looked up and smiled at him, "Don't worry about Johnny. He'll be fine in a few days. Kel thinks we caught the infection in time to turn it around before it gets any worse."

"I know," Roy bit the inside of his lip.

"Then why so glum?" Dixie knew Roy would somehow feel guilty about Johnny being sick. Those two always blamed themselves when their partner was injured or sick. It was one of the endearing qualities Dixie loved about her two favorite paramedics. Their loyalty to each other was unmatched.

"I was mad at him for not helping me yesterday. I just thought he had met some girl or something. I didn't even check on him last night and this morning at the station I didn't pay attention." He shook his head at the memory.

"Roy, John Gage is a grown man and a paramedic at that. He should have known to come in here yesterday himself."

"I know Dix, but he said he wasn't thinking clearly. He was sick, and I didn't even see it."

"You got him here when it mattered Roy. You've never let Johnny down. He knows that and so do you."

"Yeah, I guess." He looked up at Dixie and gave her a slight smile. "He'll be all right now." It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes Roy, I'll check on him in a little while. He should sleep for at least a few hours on those strong meds Kel has him on. Go on back to the station. He'll be in good hands." She patted his arm and pushed the HT towards him.

"See ya Dix, and um.....thanks."

Back at the station Mike decided that he would call Lizzy and let her and Gus know about Johnny. He explained how Johnny was prone to illness after he had been hit by a car and had his spleen removed. Johnny hadn't told them about that. Lizzy promised to visit Johnny later in the day since his best friends were all on shift.

When she arrived at the hospital she slipped quietly into the darkened room. She stood by the door looking at Johnny. 'Wow Johnny what have you done to yourself now,' she thought. He looked like a little kid curled up in the bed with the blanket half covering his head. She could hear the raspy breathing. Johnny loved the sun, but the shades were drawn making the room dim. She knew that was a sign of how sick he was.

She walked up to the bedside and placed her hand on his shoulder feeling the warmth from fever. "Hey Johnny."

He slowly turned his head toward her and squinted.