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The One that Got Away

Book One: Kel 

Prologue

Rampart Hospital Parking Lot 9:30 p.m.

Kelly Brackett had just finished his shift at Rampart Hospital in Carson California.  He was walking out to his car when he was assaulted.  Two Hispanic youths grabbed the doctor from behind and began hitting him.

“Come on Jose, grab the dude’s wallet.”

“Got it!” The punk held up the wallet and slammed Dr. B against the cars.  The doctor went down in a crumpled heap on the cold, wet pavement.

Kel Brackett woke up with the world’s worst headache.  He pushed himself up off the wet black top and looked around.  He wasn’t sure how long he’d been out, only that he was still in the parking lot.  He ran his hands over his pockets and found his wallet gone.  Lifting his left hand, he went to look at his watch and found that also gone. He cursed as he tried to stand. A wave of dizziness almost toppled him back to the parking lot.  He leaned against one of the cars he’d been thrown against until he was sure he could walk. Once steady, he headed for the ER entrance and security. He was pretty sure he had a concussion, just not how bad it would turn out to be.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

So you have finally made up your mine.  Take one last look at who you leave behind. We lost the ending. We were too late. But we took time enough to devastate.

When people never say things, they lead themselves astray.  Oh, Oh, Oh, the one that got away gave me everything I never had.

I had no problems, you had no doubts we were the ones they used to talk about.  We saw no window, we had no door. I used to wonder what the shouting’s for. 

When people never say things, they watch their love decay.  Oh, oh, oh, the one that got away.  Gave me everything, I never had.

When lovers take it too far, they bow their heads and say.  Oh, oh, oh the one that got away gave me everything I never had. ¹

Part One

Rampart Hospital ER

Dixie McCall walked into the ER from the break room.  She had just started the second half of her double shift and was hoping it would go quickly without any new patients.  She was just rounding the corner when she saw Dr Kelly Brackett stumbling into the ER waiting room, “KEL!” 

Dr. Warner “Andy” Andrews heard Dixie’s yell and looked up from where he was filling out a chart. He ran over to Brackett.  “Hey, you okay, Kel?”

“Huh?” Kel looked at the younger doctor. “I need to get to my office and call the police.  I was mugged.”

“Looks like it.  Let’s get you into room three and take a look at that head of yours.”

Kel began to fight off the young intern.  “I said I’m all right, I just want to go to my office and call the police so I can fill out the report and go home.”

“Come on, Kel.” Dixie spoke in the voice she saved for children and scared adult patients. “You need to have that cut looked at, maybe stitched up.  Then I’ll take you home and you can get some rest.  You go with Andy, and I’ll call the police and get them out here.”

Kel looked at the woman he once thought he loved more than anything in his world.  He thought about what she had said his brain focusing in on Dix’s remark about taking him home.  “Okay, Dix.”

Andy and Dixie helped Kel walk into the treatment room then Dixie went to make the promised phone call while Andy and Nurse Bellows took care of the Head of the Emergency Department.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Station 51
December 1978

John Gage finished wiping down the counter and threw the dish rag onto the pile of used towels and rags to be taken to the laundry room off the locker room.  He was just getting ready to scoop them up when the station phone rang.  “I’ll get it.” He picked up the black receiver, “Station 51 Firefighter Gage speaking.”

“Hi, Johnny,” A soft, feminine voice said.

“Hi, Jo, you wanna talk to Roy?”

“Please,” Joanne DeSoto said. He voice carried a smile that made Johnny’s face light up.  He always liked talking to the wife of his best friend.  She’d always made him feel at ease.

“Hang on.” Johnny put the call on hold and went out to the apparatus bay, “Hey, Roy?”

“What?”

“Jo’s on the phone for you.” Johnny crouched down and took over inventorying the drug box for his friend and partner.

“Thanks, Johnny.” Roy stood and wiped his hands on his pants. He walked into the day room and talked to his wife.  He came out fifteen minutes later to see Johnny playing with the ping pong table. He had it folded so he could practice his moves.  Roy smiled then walked up behind the man.  He deftly reached out and snagged the ball mid ‘ping’.

“HEY!” Johnny turned and faced Roy.  “Oh, it’s you.  What did Jo want?”

“She wanted to make sure that you and Dix were still coming over for dinner Sunday night.”  Roy said as he walked around and unhooked the table so that he and Johnny could play.  He picked up a red wooden paddle and served the plastic ball.

“Yeah, Dix got that night off.  Since she’s going to days she’s happier, but she’ll still has to work the occasional swing shift.” Johnny returned the volley with ease.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.  Jo’s taken that job you know, she’s workin’ at the bank from ten ‘til three Monday through Thursday, and then from eight ‘til noon on Saturdays.  It’s not too bad unless I’m off, then she wants to spend time with me and the kids. I don’t mind, I get the kids to myself one day a week.” Roy smiled as he hit the ball with just the right ‘English’ to send it pinging by Johnny.

“One nothing,” Johnny tossed the ball back to Roy. “You really don’t mind that Jo’s working?”

“Nah, the money’s nice, Johnny.  We’re no longer arguing about the bills, we’ve caught up on the credit card, and actually have money in the bank.” Roy again served the ball just right “Two nothing.”

“Well, if you’re happy and Jo’s happy, then there’s nothing wrong with what’s happening. How are the kids taking it?”  Johnny back handed the ball to send it sailing by Roy, “Two one.”

“They seem to be all right.  I mean, Chris is almost twelve and Jenny’s ten, they go over to a neighbor’s house when Jo’s not home.  And she is home most of the time by the time Jenny gets home from school.  The only day they spend all day at Wendy’s is on Saturday when I’m not off.”  Again, the ball went under Johnny’s paddle, “Three one.”

“So long as everyone’s happy,” Johnny backhanded the ball again and again he slipped it just under Roy’s paddle.  Only this time it was out.

“Out; three one,” Roy sighs.  “How’s thing going with you and Dixie?”

“It’s going great. It’s Kel I’m worried about.  Since they came back from Hawaii, and Dix and I did that little ‘dance’,” Johnny made quotes with his fingers, “He’s been acting kinda weird.”

“What do you mean?” He was worried about his friends.

“Well, the other day, when you were in with the patient, I was in the lounge when he came in.  It was weird, Roy. Kel walked up to me and told me that he didn’t think I deserved a woman like Dixie and he was going to make sure that I didn’t get to keep her.” Johnny missed the next serve, “Four one.”

 “You’re right, that is weird. It’s not like him to threaten anyone.” Roy served again and watched as the ball sailed off the table, “Your serve.”

“Okay,” Johnny served the ball and totally muffed the serve, “Sorry, your serve.”

The game went on until Roy won twenty-one to two. “You ready to call it a night?”

“Yeah, guess so.” Johnny helped Roy fold back up the table and push it out of the way. As they put the ball and paddles away a loud crash of thunder reverberated through the room, “Sounds bad.”

“Hope it doesn’t make the tones go off.” Roy sighed. “It was busy enough this afternoon.”

“Ain’t that the truth, what did that kid think he was doin’ anyway? I mean, who climbs down to the river bed just to watch the fish swim? There’s no fish in the L.A. River, its concrete for Pete’s sake.” Johnny ranted as they walked into the bunk room.

The rest of the station came in ten minutes later to find both Roy and Johnny sound asleep with the over head lights on.  Cap turned off the lights after making sure everyone else was in bed.  He prayed for a quiet night as he knew his paramedics needed it.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Rampart Emergency
Treatment Room 3

Andy Andrews was busy trying to convince Kelly Brackett to stay on the exam table.  “Look, DOCTOR I know you’re tired, but with that concussion, I have to insist you stay for observation.  It’s only for tonight and you’ll be released in the morning.”

“I don’t want to stay. I’m leaving.” Kel went to stand up and promptly toppled over.  “Dammit.”

“Let me, Andy.” Dixie took over. “Now, Kelly Brackett, you’re going to get back onto that table and let Andy get you a room upstairs.  If you don’t co-operate, I’ll be forced to tell all the paramedics that come through tonight what kind of a patient you’ve been and how stubborn you are.  I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to those men how much of a horse’s ass you can be when you’re a patient.  Now, get back up there and let me start the IV.  Then we’re going to get you into a gown and upstairs.  Is that clear?”

Kel hung his head.  He really did just want to lie down and close his eyes.  He certainly wasn’t going to get to do that if he was arguing with the staff. “Ok.” He lay back on the table and held his left arm out for Dixie.  “I’m all yours.”

“In your dreams, Kel,” Dix spoke softly for Kel’s ears only.  She started the IV and signaled the orderlies to get him transferred to a gurney for the trip upstairs. She left to let the orderlies do their stuff.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Kel lay in bed thinking. He wanted his head to stop throbbing and his eyes to stop hurting. He wanted something to drink but didn’t have the energy to lift his hand to ring the call bell.  He sighed and resigned himself to thirst and pain when the door opened.

“Kel?” Dixie spoke softly.

“Yeah,” Kel pushed the button to sit up a bit higher.

“I thought you might like something to drink.” She set the pitcher down on the rolling table.

“Thanks, Dix.” Kel smiled. “You just get off?”

“No, I’m pulling a double.  There’s quite a storm brewin’ out there and a fifteen car pileup on the 405 made it necessary for me to stay.” She poured some of the ice water into a glass and dropped a straw in it.  “Here ya go.”

“Thanks.” Kel took a long deep sip draining most of the liquid out of the glass.  He refilled it then sat back and sighed. “Now, if only this headache would go away.”

“Nurse Williams is coming in with some Tylenol for you in a couple more minutes. Then you need to get some sleep.”  Dixie turned to leave the room.

“Tell me this, Dix.”  Kel struggled to sit up even higher.  He finally managed.

“What, Kel?” Dixie tried not to sound angry.

“What do you see in that man?” Kel gestured with his hand. “What’s so special about John Gage that you’d dump me for him?”

“First off, Doctor Kelly Brackett, I DID NOT dump you, you broke up with me and it’s none of your business what I see in John Gage.”  She turned and pulled the door open almost running the nurse over in her escape, “Sorry, Tammy.”

“That’s okay, Dixie. Is he being a bear?”

“More so than ever. Tread lightly with him tonight.  If you can, give him a sedative or he’s not going to get any sleep.”

“I already thought of that.  I have some Tylenol and some Valium here for the good doctor.” She held up the pills.

“Well, good luck. I’ll be downstairs if you have any problems with him.”  Dixie walked slowly to the elevators, “Oh, Johnny.”  She whispered.  She wanted nothing more than to be at home with Johnny wrapped in his strong arms.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Part Two

Station 51 0300hrs

The klaxons went off and brought the station to life.

“Station 51, station 18, squad 36, engine 110, truck 110, battalion 14, structure fire, 12344 Perry, 1-2-3-4-4 Perry cross street Main time out 0300.”

Stanley stood and picked up the mic, “Station 51, KMG-365.” He pulled his suspenders up as he dashed for the engine.  “Let’s hope it’s not that big, Mikey.”

“I agree, Cap.” Mike Stoker, Engineer, agreed with his boss.

Roy and Johnny sat tense in the squad.  They both knew it had the potential to be bad since two additional squads were toned out.

They arrived at the scene to see a warehouse that houses a home repair store fully involved. The wood and shingles stored there were just the right fuel needed for the beast to feed.  And feed it did, flames were jumping into the night sky as high as they could go.  They looked like fingers reaching for the heavens.  All the firefighters arriving on the scene said quick, silent prayers.

“Okay, let’s get some hoses on the west side. Marco, you and Chet take an inch and a half over to the left.  Johnny, you and Roy see if you can find someone in charge and see if anyone’s still in there.”  Captain Stanley began issuing orders to his men.  He looked around and felt a wave of relief with seeing the battalion chief and his boss pull up behind Engine 110.

Johnny and Roy walked over to the Chief and asked where they were needed.

“36’s is setting up triage over there, why don’t you get your gear and help 18’s with search and rescue.”  McConnikee looked around at the scene.

“Yes, Sir,” Roy said as he and Johnny ran back to the squad and their gear.  They were soon walking amongst the aisles of the home improvement store. They found two security guards on the floor near the back offices.  They scooped them up and headed out of the burning building.  The dropped the guards off at triage and went back in to finish the sweep.  They were soon manning lines with Chet and Marco. 

By the time four o’clock rolled around it was mostly a surround and drown.  The building was a total loss. The paramedics from 51’s were soon released to go back to the station.  There was no need for three squads to be out of service. Roy and Johnny drove back to the station in silence, both men tired and weary from fighting the beast.  Roy parked the squad in the bay and got out of the truck.  He walked over and pushed the button that brought the bay door down and headed for the locker room and a much needed shower. Johnny was in the shower while Roy got out of his bunkers and stripped down.

“Hurry up, Johnny.  I’m beat and my back is killing me.” Roy called over the sound of the water.

“Be out in a sec.”  Johnny quickly finished rinsing his hair and turned the taps off.  He wrapped his towel around his waist and opened the door, “All yours, Pally.”

“Thanks,” Roy stepped into the shower and hung up his towel he then quickly scrubbed the dirt and soot off his weary body and felt himself begin to relax. He stepped out of the shower five minutes later and pulled on a pair of boxers and a clean tee, he walked into the bunk room and crawled into bed.  He didn’t even notice that Johnny wasn’t in his bunk.

The rest of the crew crawled into the station an hour before shift change.  They looked around the bay and saw that the squad was still there.

“I get the shower first, Kelly, start some coffee.”  Stanley headed for the locker room.  He showered then joined the rest of the engine crew in the day room.  “Who’s next?”

“Me,” Mike stood and headed out. 

“Any one see Johnny or Roy?” Marco asked.

“If they have an ounce of sense, they’ll be asleep.”  Hank mumbled.

“Mornin’” John Gage mumbled as he shuffled into the room.  He had his bunkers on and was scratching under his t-shirt, “Any one want some breakfast?”

“I’ll make it,” Roy said as he too entered the room.  “Hey, Marco, Mike’s done you can take your shower now.” Roy set about making scrambled eggs for breakfast.

“Thanks, Roy,” Marco headed for the locker room while Hank headed for his office.

“Call me when chow’s done.”

“Will do, Cap.”  Roy turned back to the stove.  “Shove over, Johnny.”  He pushed Johnny over so he could work.

“Hey, watch where you’re shovin’ me.” Johnny groused as he finished with the coffee he wanted to drink.

“Sorry.” Roy quickly cracked the eggs into a bowl and added some milk and seasoning.  He briskly whisked the eggs and milk together while he waited for the pan to heat up. “Get the table set, Johnny.”

“Okay,” Johnny pulled plates and silverware out and set them on the table.  He walked over to the fridge and pulled out the carton of milk and the pitchers of juice.  “We have grape and orange juice today.”

Roy scrambled enough eggs for his shift and the oncoming shift.  He had also fried some bacon and sausage.  He set everything on the table except for what he had set aside for the next shift.  He put their breakfast in a pan and covered with foil. This he set in the oven and put it to warm.  He finally sat down and ate with his shift mates.

“This is good, Roy.  Thanks.” Hank said around a mouthful of eggs.

“Thanks, Cap,” Roy watched Johnny as he picked at his breakfast.  He knew that his friend was bothered by what Kel had said to him, he just didn’t realize how bothered he was.  “Eat up, Johnny.”

“Huh?” Johnny looked around the table.  “Oh, sorry Roy, I’m not hungry.”  He pushed away from the table and left the room.

“What’s wrong with the pigeon?” Chet asked.

“None of your business, Chet,” Roy fairly growled.  “Leave him alone.”

“Geesh, you’d think I was the bad guy or something.” Chet groused.

“Stow it, Kelly.” Hank told his fire fighter.

“Yes, Sir,” Chet turned back to his plate.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Rampart Hospital Room 229

Kel Brackett paced the room.  After talking to the police last night and getting his injuries tended to, the doctor spent a fitful night in his hospital room being woken up every two hours until he finally yelled at the nurse to leave him alone.

Dr. Andrews came in the room with Kel’s chart. “Well, doctor, your test results came out just fine.  You do have an inner ear infection that needs to be taken care of, that’s been the cause of your dizziness.”

“Really?” Kel was genuinely surprised at this. 

“Yes, really,” Andy smiled, “Look Kel, no one is infallible.  You caught that virus that’s been going around since last week. I know you weren’t feeling yourself.  Now, it settled in your inner ear because you didn’t take Joe’s advice and start on the decongestants and antibiotics like you were supposed to for the sinus infection.  You ended up with a pesky infection that’s done it’s best to wear you down.”

“So, can I just get my prescriptions and go home now?”  Kel looked out the window at the grey overcast day.

“Give us another hour, you still need to eat.  After breakfast, I’ll sign your release papers and you can go.  But know this, you’re release is contingent on an agreement.”  Andy looked at Kel.

“What?”

“You are to go home and stay there for the next four days.  That means no coming in to the hospital or calling the hospital.  You’re sick, you won’t get well if you’re working.”  Andy was serious about this.  “Dixie’s already agreed to give you a lift home.  You’re not to drive until the dizziness passes.”

“I’m not dizzy now.” Kel insisted.

“Right,” Andy shook his head.  “Is that why you nearly took a header at six this morning when you went to use the john?”

“I was still half asleep.” Kel whined.

“Yank the other one, Doctor.”  Andy laughed.  “No driving. Period.”

“Alright, now get out of here so I can go to the bathroom.” Kel turned slowly towards the in room bathroom not wanting the doctor to see how off balance he really was.

“Okay, breakfast should be here in a half an hour.  Try to get some more rest and no more yelling at the nurses.”  Andy left the room shaking his head.  He couldn’t understand how some doctors were the worst patients.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Dixie McCall hung up the phone. She had a smile on her face.

Nurse Bellows came up to her, “Got a hot date tonight?”

“No, I’m just going over to Johnny’s after I drop Kel off at his place. Andy doesn’t want him to drive and I know he’d refuse to take a cab.”  Dixie put a file away.

“Yeah, he is stubborn.  So, how’s it going with you and Johnny?”

“A lot better now.  I don’t know what came over me, but I swear, I’m not letting that man get away from me.” Dixie smiled.  Even though she only saw him one, maybe two days a week socially, she was just as happy with the on-duty time they shared when Johnny was at the hospital getting supplies or on a follow-up.

“Have fun.  Are you going riding?” Nancy Bellows was a bit jealous of Dixie.  She’d had the opportunity to date Johnny in the past, but had turned him down repeatedly.

“No, Johnny said it’s too wet.  He has this trail that leads to the lake on his property, but when it rains real hard, like it did last night, the trail becomes impassable. We’re going to stay in, probably play some scrabble and watch a movie.”  Dix pulled her jacket and purse out of the locked cabinet at the base station and smiled.  “I think ‘Love Story’ is on this afternoon.”

“Oh, you are a bad woman, Dix. Have fun.”  Nancy took over for Dixie at the base station.

“Have a good day.  These doubles just aren’t what they used to be.” Dix yawned as she headed for the elevator.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Kel was dressed and ready to go when Dix walked into the room.  His face lit up seeing the woman he loved, or had loved, enter, “Hi, Dix.”

“Kel,” Dixie watched the doctor as he picked up his suit jacket and pulled it on. 

“Am I all signed out?”

“Nope, not yet,” Dixie went out into the hall and grabbed the wheelchair. “Andy said he’d be here in five minutes.”

“Ahh, do I have to use that?”

“You’re worse than John Gage, Kel.  You know the rules just as well as he does, if not better.  Now, sit your carcass down and wait.” Dixie thought back to her years in the ARMY and how the soldiers acted when they were wounded.

“Boy, you sure are mean.” Kel sat and waited.

Andy showed up five minutes later with the discharge papers for Kel. “Okay, here’s the prescription, follow it to the letter, DOCTOR,” The emphasis on the word doctor not going unnoticed. “I’ll see you in my office in four days for evaluation. Then maybe, you can return to work.  Remember, rest and take your meds.”

“Okay. Thanks Andy.” Kel shook the young intern’s hand.

“You’re most welcome, Kel.  I’m just glad to see you weren’t hurt worse.” Andy bid his farewell and left the room.

“Now we can go,” Dixie said as she pushed the chair out of the room.

They headed downstairs quietly, neither wanted to say anything.  Once out in the parking lot, Kel spoke. “So, you’re taking me home, are you planning on staying for a while?”

“No, I’m not. Look Kel, it’s over, okay. I’m taking you home because I promised Andy I would. He doesn’t want you to drive and I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore than you already were by those punks.  Now get your ass into the car and buckle up.” Dixie opened the passenger side door and stepped back.

Kel got into the Mustang and slouched in the seat.  He buckled up as Dixie got in behind the wheel.  “There’s no need to be grouchy, you know.”

“I’m not grouchy, Kel.  I’m tired, I worked a double yesterday and with that accident last night and the fire this morning, I’m pretty well beat.  I’m going home to take a long hot bath and curl up in bed to sleep until my next shift.” Dixie lied to her former boyfriend.

Dixie didn’t talk anymore while she drove.  The streets were wet and the traffic heavy.

Kel sulked the whole way.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Kelly Brackett’s Apartment

Dixie didn’t even follow the doctor into his apartment she just turned and walked down the hall towards the elevators.  She wanted nothing more than to go home.

Kel sighed and walked over to the couch.  His head was throbbing again and the dizziness he’d been fighting since the attack was getting worse.  He took off his jacket and draped it over his couch before dropping down into his recliner. He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

He woke several hours later to a headache and a full bladder.  He stood slowly and headed for the bathroom. Once in there he relieved himself then stripped for a shower, letting the hot water soothe his aching muscles.  He let his imagination take over while he stood under the steady stream of water.  Soon he was formulating a plan to get Dixie back into his arms. He felt his feelings for John Gage turn from friendship to loathing.

-_-_-E!-_-_-

Part Two