Intuition

Johnny awoke sweating profusely. He had just had another one of those dreams. He had been having them more and more lately. He looked over at Roy to see if he had awakened him. “Good” he thought to himself. Roy was still fast asleep on the bed next to him. Johnny got up quietly, pulled on his turnout pants, and walked to the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of milk and started thinking about his dream and why he might be dreaming it. Just then the klaxon sounded.

“Squad 51. Woman down. 1107 Berkshire Cross street West Hill One One Zero Seven Berkshire. Time Out 3:27.

Squad 51 KMG-365

Johnny was met by Roy and both ran to the squad. They made their way through the quiet streets of LA. They arrived at the address and were met by a man in his late 20’s.

“What’s the problem?” Johnny asked.

“It’s my wife. All of a sudden she got out of bed complaining of not being able to breathe and then just passed out.”

Johnny and Roy made their way inside. Johnny started to have that feeling of deja vu that he had been getting over the past couple of weeks. He tried to shrug it off. Roy started taking vitals, and Johnny got on the phone to Rampart.

“Rampart, this is county 51. How do you read?”

“We read you loud and clear. Go ahead 51.” Dixie replied, motioning to Dr. Brackett.

“We’ve got a victim-female, approximately 24. She’s having trouble breathing. Stand by for vitals.”

“We’re standing by 51.”

“Vitals are BP 90 over 40, pulse 100, respiration 25 and labored, pupils equal and reactive.”

“51, start an IV D5W TKO. Has the ambulance arrived 51?”

“That’s affirmative, Rampart.” Johnny replied.

“Squad 51 continuing monitoring vitals and transport immediately.” Dr. Brackett ordered.

“10-4, Rampart.”

Johnny and Roy helped the attendants load the victim onto the stretcher. Roy was standing behind the ambulance about to climb in when Johnny ran over and knocked him out of the way. Just then the ambulance suddenly lurched backwards about 5 feet.

The driver got out with terrified expression on his face. “Is anyone hurt? I can’t believe I put the ambulance in reverse instead of drive.”

Roy got up and looked at Johnny. “Yea, I’m okay. Thanks to Johnny. How did you know?”

“I’m not sure, Roy. Just a feeling something was about to happen I guess.”

“Well, thanks Junior. I owe you one.”

“Not really Roy. I think you saved me serious injury just last week so we’re even.” Johnny said with a laugh although inside, his stomach was in knots.

Roy climbed in and went with the victim to the hospital. Johnny said a silent prayer and climbed in the squad and followed the ambulance.

Chapter 2

The next few weeks were uneventful. The squad went on it’s share of runs, but nothing unusual. Johnny started thinking the dreams were gone for good. He just started feeling normal again when late one night he awoke screaming.

“No, Roy. Don’t go in there!,” he yelled loud enough to wake up just about everyone in the dorm.

“Johnny, what’s wrong?” Roy was by his side in an instant.

“Uh, what? Roy what happened?”

“You tell me pal. All of a sudden you sat up and started screaming.”

“I had a bad dream is all.”

Do you need me to come hold your hand, Johnny Baby?” Chet said sarcastically.

“Chet, shut up!”

“You want to tell me about it?” Roy asked.

“Not really Roy. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“That’s okay.” Roy said crawling back into bed, hopeful of catching at least a few more minutes of shut-eye.

“That’s just like Roy,” Johnny thought to himself. “He doesn’t nag me when I don’t want to talk about something, and this is something I definitely want to keep to myself.”

Chapter 3

Just when Johnny thought he’d finally put the dreams behind him, he started having that same dream over and over again. Should I tell Roy? It really concerns him. The first dream actually came true. What should I do?

“Hey, Johnny. How were your days off?” Roy asked while pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“They were okay I guess.” Johnny said.

“Just okay. I thought you had a big date. Don’t you want to tell me all about it?” Roy asked giving Johnny a big grin.

“I don’t really feel like talking about it.”

“Oh. She dumped you, huh? No big deal. You’ll be chasing some other nurse this time tomorrow, I’m sure.”

“No Roy, she didn’t dump me. It’s just…..”Johnny was about to tell him what had been bugging him for the past few weeks when the tones sounded.

Squad 51. Man down. 9890 Clark Street. Nine Eight Nine Zero Clark street. Time out 8:38.

Squad 51 KMG-365

Chapter 4

Johnny and Roy arrived on the scene and all seemed quiet. They knocked on the front door. No answer. Johnny looked in the front window and saw a man lying in a pool of blood. “Looks like a gunshot wound.” Johnny said shaking his head. “It looks pretty bad.”

Roy turned the handle and started to go in and then it happened.

“Roy, don’t go in there!!” Johnny yelled and once again pushed Roy out of the way. Roy heard a gun go off and then felt Johnny knock him to the ground. Roy tried to sit up, but Johnny was limp. Roy knew what that meant. He crawled out from under Johnny and turned him over. There was a gunshot wound in the upper right area of Johnny’s chest.

“Johnny, can you hear me?”

“Roy, the gunman?”

“He went back inside. I’ve got to take a look at you Johnny.”

“No! Roy just go. Get out of here. He might come back out any second and shoot you.” Johnny pleaded with Roy.

“I don’t care Johnny. I’m not leaving you.” Roy saw Vince and some other officers pull up. “Hey Vince, we’ve got a gunman inside. He shot someone in the house. There are probably more hostages because someone called in from this address, and I don’t believe it was the shooter. Johnny’s been shot too. I’ve got to get him out of here.”

“Okay Roy, we’ll cover you. You drag Johnny out of danger.” Vince said.

Roy dragged Johnny over behind the squad. He got out the biophone and called Rampart.

“Rampart, this is County 51.”

“Go ahead 51.”

“I’ve got a gunshot victim 28 years old. He’s bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound to the chest. I’m keeping pressure on it. Stand by for vitals.”

“Standing by 51.” Dr. Brackett said. “Dixie, get treatment room one ready for a gunshot victim. I want X-Ray standing by as well as a chest tube tray.”

“Rampart, vitals are BP 100 over 80. Pulse 60, Respirations 18 and shallow. His lung has collapsed. Permission to insert an esophageal airway.”

“Affirmative 51. Also start IV with ringers and transport as soon as possible. 51, is there an exit wound?”

“That’s affirmative Rampart.”

Roy?”

“Don’t try to talk Johnny. Just take it easy. You’re going to be okay.”

“Roy, you’re not hurt are you?”

“No Johnny. I’m fine. Let’s just see about getting you taken care of and leave the worrying to me.” I should be used to it by now, Roy thought to himself.

Roy got Johnny loaded into the ambulance and climbed in beside him.

Chapter 5

It seemed like days had passed before the doctor came out to give a report on Johnny. By this time, Roy had been joined by the guys at 51. The chief officially took them out of duty for the time being.

Dr. Brackett walked into the waiting room with a grin on his face. Immediately Roy breathed a huge sigh of relief. “So Doc, what’s the verdict?” Roy asked.

“Johnny is an extremely lucky young man. His lung collapsed, but we inserted the chest tube and that helped with his breathing. None of his other vital organs were hit. The bullet passed cleanly out of his back. He should be fine. Of course, he’s still in very serious condition, and he’s going to require a good bit of recuperation.”

“I’ll see that he gets his rest, Doc. Thanks.” Roy replied. “Can I see him?”

“Just for a minute, Roy. We’re about to transport him to ICU.”

Roy walked slowly down to the treatment room. He walked in and looked down at Johnny. The same thought as before popped into his mind. Seems like he should be used to seeing Johnny like this, but he wasn’t. He took Johnny’s hand, and Johnny stirred. He smiled weakly.

“Don’t try to talk Johnny. I understand now what’s been going on with you lately. You’ve been dreaming about these things happening to me. You’ve saved my life twice in the last few weeks under extremely unusual circumstances. I see where you’re coming from. We’re so close to one another. It’s almost like we can read each other’s mind and maybe even sense when the other is in danger, but Johnny you’ve got to understand that you can’t keep me safe all the time. Things are going to happen. You can’t control it. One day, God forbid, this job might take one of us. If that happens, it’ll be hard on the survivor, but whatever happens we’ll get through it. Please quit worrying about me. Let whatever happens happen. You can’t change fate Johnny. No matter how hard you try. I hate what this had been doing to you, and I hate that you are here now because of it. You’ve got to put your mind at ease and learn to accept whatever life brings-good or bad..” Saying this Roy slowly squeezed Johnny’s hand and Johnny squeezed back. Everything was going to be fine.

Chapter 6

It had been a couple of months since Johnny’s latest brush with death, and now he was back on the job. He hadn’t had any nightmares since Roy had that heart to heart talk with him in the emergency room the night he’d been shot. Then again, Roy had not been hurt since then either.

“Hi ya, Johnny. Welcome back.” Chet gave Johnny a slap on the back.

“Did you miss me Chet?” Johnny asked.

“Are you kidding? Missed you? Nah, I just didn’t want…”

“to break in a new pigeon. I know. I know Chet.” Johnny laughed.

“So partner, are you glad to be back?” Roy asked.

“You bet.”

“No nightmares?” Roy wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer to that.

“Nope.” Johnny smiled.

Station 51. Car over a cliff. Cougar Canyon just past Reed Road. Time out 8:46.

Station 51 KMG-365

Johnny and Roy jumped in the squad and lead the way to the Canyon. When they arrived the car was over the cliff, but wasn’t that far down. The victim had been thrown from the car and was sitting up waiting for help.

“Doesn’t look too bad Johnny. I think we can make it down to him on foot.”

“Okay, Roy. You can lead the way.”

Roy started down the slope. About halfway down, he slipped and fell. Johnny worked his way down to him while Chat and Marco went down to check on the victim. “Are you okay?” Johnny asked.

“I think I might’ve sprained my ankle.”

“You know Roy. There’s some good that’s come out of this.”

“What are you talking about Johnny? What good could come out of me almost breaking my ankle?”

“Well, I didn’t dream about you getting hurt now, did I?”

“You know Junior. You’re right……. for once.” Roy said laughing at Johnny’s remarks.

“For once. Now Roy, I can think of plenty of times I’ve been right.” Johnny said as he helped Roy to his feet. “How about that time I got audited? I told you everything would be okay or how about the time I gave Joanne Stoker’s spaghetti recipe and literally saved your marriage? Man, I just don’t understand you sometimes.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Junior.” Roy sighed.

“Oh yea, remember that time I told you to let Dixie take care of that kid whose dad got hurt in that accident or…….”

Roy knew Johnny was off on another one of his tirades, and he would just have to live with it. Right now, he did not care. He would listen to his best friend and realize just how lucky he was to have him.

THE END

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