Thanks for the Advice by Betty Stull Johnny Gage pulled into his parking spot behind Station 51 with fifteen minutes to spare before roll call. He leaned his head on the steering wheel of his Rover and took a deep breath. He was fatigued from the night before and he was trying desperately to regain some energy so he could work his shift. With his eyes closed, Johnny's mind drifted back to the previous night. He and his friend, Chuck 'The Dodger' Thomas, from Station 36 had attended a rock concert. After the concert ended, Chuck had talked Johnny into going to a party at some chick's place that he knew. Although Johnny was somewhat tired, he relented and tagged along, more to keep his friend out of trouble than anything else. Over the previous few weeks, Johnny had started to see a side of his friend that he didn't like, and he was between a rock and a hard place as to what to do about it, because of a promise he'd made. "So, Gage, ya' going to join the rest of us and work your shift or are you going to sit there all day and sleep?" Johnny bolted upright at the sound of Chet's voice. Chet was one person that Johnny really didn't relish having a sparing match with today. "So what if I do? What business is it of yours, Chester?" replied Johnny with an irritated tone. "Well if ya' don't get the lead out of your butt, it'll be latrine duty for you, and you know that would really make my day." Johnny rolled his eyes and displayed a 'who cares' look on his face. He was going to try really hard not to allow Chet to get to him today. Without thinking, he quickly shoved open his car door and accidentally knocked Chet into the side of Marco's car. Realizing what he had done, he jumped out of the Rover to offer aid to his fellow firefighter, only to have Chet growl at him. "Hey, watch what you're doing will ya'? You could have broken something." Chet stood back and rubbed his elbow. He was trying to relieve the tingling pain in his arm from the contact his funny bone had with the car. Taking notice that Chet was in fact okay, Johnny stifled a laugh and proceeded to checked out Marco's car. "You know, Chester B, you're right as usual, I could have done some real damaged to Marco's car." "Huh, funny Gage, real funny." Johnny chuckled and walked away towards the back door of the station, leaving a fuming Chet behind. "Don't think you're getting off that easily Gage! The Phantom is always lurking about!" Chet yelled. Johnny decided not to pay any attention to Chet and his ranting about the Phantom, instead continuing on his way to the locker room, rushing to get changed to be on time for roll call. He was hoping that he could do it in peace. Just as he stepped through the door he spied his partner sitting on the bench, putting the finishing touches to his uniform. 'God, I hope Roy doesn't ask about last night,' Johnny thought as he made his way towards his locker. "Morning, Roy." Roy looked up into the face of his tired looking partner. "Morning, Johnny. How was the concert last night? Did you and Dodger enjoy it?" Johnny had his back to Roy while he grabbed a uniform out of his locker. He didn't want his best friend to see the pained look on his face. He nodded. "Yeah, it was great." Then there was silence. Roy knew that this was not the norm for Johnny, and was concerned enough to inquire further. "What's wrong?" Shaking his head and applying his crocked grin Johnny looked back at Roy and replied, "Nothing wrong Roy. Just tired today. I guess I should have known better than to go to a concert on a work night." Roy didn't buy it. He knew, even in the best of times, that Johnny could stay up half the night and still have the energy to pull a double shift. He was sure that something happened either during or after the concert, but before he could question his friend about what was eating him, the tones sounded. All Johnny could think of at the moment was he had been spared by the bell. He knew he had to get his mood in check by the time their run was over or Roy would not let him be until he had spilled his secret. "Squad 51, respond to 130 Oak Ridge Road. Unknown type rescue. Time out: 0800 hours," came the voice of the LA County dispatcher. Captain Stanley copied down the address and acknowledged the call as the paramedic team jumped into the squad. After Cap handed the paper to Roy, who in turn handed it to Johnny, the team drove out of the station on route to the rescue. The rescue turned out to be nothing more than a woman who had gotten her backside caught in the doggie door after her youngest child locked her out of the house. It only took about ten minutes before she was freed. The woman was more embarrassed than hurt and declined a trip to Rampart. Roy and Johnny drove in silence on their return to the station. Roy knew Johnny was bothered about something and was doubtful that his partner would part with it without prodding. "So, are you going to let me in on what is eating you?" Johnny glanced over at his friend and shook his head. "Maybe later, Roy. I need to do some thinking about some things first." "Well if you change your mind you know where to find me." "Thanks, Roy." The two friends casually shared a smile. By the time they arrived back to the station, the initial sunny day started to grow dark as gray clouds began to roll in from over the Pacific. "Looks like we may be in for a storm," Johnny pronounced. "Looks like it, and you know what that means?" "Yeah, lots of runs." <<<>>>> The morning ended with the engine responding to a couple of trash fires; the squad responding to a woman in labor; and a child who decided she wanted to ride her bike, despite the rain, and wiped out, suffering road rash down the entire length of her torso. Both victims were transported to Rampart. Just as the squad finished backing into the vehicle bay, none other than Chet Kelly met Johnny. "Chet, do you mind? Get out of my way. NOW!" Chet knew that Johnny was not in the best of moods and he hoped that maybe he could irritate the paramedic a little more before lunch. "Sorry, Gage. I just wanted to be the one to inform you that your number came up despite you managing to be on time this morning." "What in tarnation are you talking about now, Chet?" Chet grinned from ear to ear. "Latrine duty, Pal. It's all yours." "Good, then maybe I won't have to look at your ugly face for awhile." Johnny brushed by Chet and joined Roy and the others in the kitchen. Chet lagged behind, insulted that his news wasn't received as he had intended. Before Johnny could pour himself a cup of coffee he was questioned once again about his night out. "So, John how was the concert last night. Did you and Dodger enjoy it?" Captain Stanley inquired. Johnny forced a smile on his face in front of everyone as he spoke. He didn't want to allow anyone of his friends to think anything was amiss. However, he knew Roy already suspected that there was something terribly wrong as he watched his best friend try to conceal his face. "It was great, just great. But ya' know, I think that I will refrain from going out anymore on a night before I have to go to work. Man, I'm bushed today." "Late night, huh?" Stanley asked. "Very." Johnny quickly changed the subject so he didn't have to talk about his evening out anymore. "So, what's for lunch anyway?" "Chili. It's almost ready to be served up," replied Marco. "Sounds great." Once the meal was over, Johnny gathered the cleaning supplies and tucked himself away in the latrine to clean. He was glad he didn't have to face anyone for a while. It gave him time to think about what he was going to do about his friend, Dodger. Johnny chuckled, thinking about how Chuck got his nickname, Dodger. It was because the man was always able to dodge a crisis and come out unscathed. Only lately, Chuck hadn't had much luck in that department as he was continually finding himself in a jam on the job and suffered a few minor injuries, like scrapes and cuts. Johnny was perplexed as to why all of a sudden Chuck seemed like a klutz on the job. Like Chet and Marco, Chuck was an ace when it came to handling a hose. The previous shift, the two stations -- 51's and 36's -- responded to a structure fire and Chuck hadn't held up his end at battling the beast like he had always done in the past. Johnny had noticed upon arrival that Chuck had seemed somewhat distracted, for reasons unknown to him. He didn't seem to fully comprehend the orders given by the captain, and, several times, his partner had to remind him what to do. As a result of Chuck's distraction, another firefighter on his crew had suffered an injury Chuck had expressed his regret and claimed fatigue for his lack of attention on the job that day. Although Johnny was already beginning to have other suspicions about the accident, he let it slide after the two had a heated argument in private over the incident. In the end, Chuck vowed he would never again allow his fatigue to interfere with the job. Being the kind of friend he was, Johnny decided to give Chuck a break, but warned him that he would never cover his butt if he ever screwed up in a big way. Johnny had only a gut feeling, uncertain as too how to rectify the situation without involving too many people. The problem, if it did exist, would more than likely end with having his friend canned from his job...something Johnny hated to be a part of. He knew, too, that if his suspicions were on target, and the situation was not corrected, that somebody would end up being critically hurt, if not dying, on the job, because of Chuck. Johnny knew he had to really think this thing thru before he acted. He poured on the elbow grease to make the latrine shine enough to see one's face on the walls and floors; his mind drifted back to the night before. <<< >>> "How about coming with me to a friend's house, Gage?" Johnny looked at his friend with skepticism plastered on his face. "You've got to be kidding, Dodger. It's past midnight and we've both got to work tomorrow." Chuck laughed. "Lose your nerve, Gage? I guess you're just getting old and have to go to bed with the chickens." Johnny shot him a hurt look. "Considering I have to get up with the chickens and tend to my horse and feed my cats and dog, I guess you can consider me old." Chuck laughed at his friend. "Well I never told you to get the livestock. Me, I'm young at heart and could go on the whole night thru and still battle the beast for hours on end." Johnny gave his friend a 'yeah right' look and decided to relent. Maybe he could get his friend to toddle on home for a few winks before the shift started. Inwardly, Johnny feared leaving his friend alone, considering the way he had been acting lately. Chuck also seemed to be running on his second wind. Who knows what trouble he could get into, or so Johnny thought. "Fine you win." Johnny turned and faced his friend. He poked his finger into Chuck's chest. "I'll make you a deal though, we stay for a few minutes, and I mean only a few minutes and then we leave. Deal?" Chuck laughed. "Me thinks when you see where we are headed, you'll be wanting to stay for more than a few minutes, Gage, my boy." Johnny shot up an eyebrow at his friend. "Oh, and just where are you taking me?" With a loud chuckle Dodger replied, "You'll see my friend, you'll see." <<< >>> Within twenty minutes Johnny and Dodger arrived at a small bungalow located in south central LA. Although Johnny hated to be in this particular area during the daytime, the nighttime left him even more uneasy. He figured he had better stay with his friend in case he would need his help to make a hasty retreat. Inside the house, a party was in tune, going full tilt. Everyone was either three sheets to the wind or high on drugs. Johnny had a hard time distinguishing between the two in the dim light the house had to offer. He just wanted to leave, but Chuck had other ideas. Almost before they cleared the living room, a skimpily dressed woman pounced on the two of them. "I'm glad you could make it, Chucky. I was wondering if you'd show." She eyed Johnny up and down before wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. "Now tell me, Chucky, who's your friend?" Johnny tried and failed at his attempt to remove the woman's arms. "This is my bestest friend in the whole wide world, Darla, Johnny Gage, and let me tell you, he is a wild cat." Darla's eyes shot wide as did her smile. "A wild cat, you say. Well come on Tiger, let's go see if we can rattle your cage." Johnny finally pulled free of Darla's grip. "Look, how about we don't and say we did, okay?" Johnny squirmed as he looked at his friend with a 'how dare you' look on his face. "Oh, Gage, loosen up some and get with the scene." Johnny just shook his head at his friend as he grabbed hold of his arm steering him into a vacant room. "Chuck, what in hell has gotten into you all of a sudden? Why in hell are you hanging with these people? They're trouble with a capital 'T'." He tried to be stern without arousing suspicion among the others in the house. "Lighten up, Gage. It's just a party and I'm in the mood to party hardy." "Well I hate to tell you this, Chuck, but I'm not, and I certainly don't want to party with the likes of these people. If you haven't noticed, there are drugs on the premises, and you know as well as I do drugs and our jobs don't mix. I think we should leave right now." Johnny stopped to catch his breath before continuing. He eyed his friend and wondered where the change in personality came from. It now concerned him that Chuck might be a user; Johnny just didn't want to believe it. Chuck had always been a dedicated firefighter, and now...now Johnny didn't know. He wasn't sure he even knew Chuck anymore. The changes in his attitude and the way he had been handling his job lately were so unlike Chuck, and now to meet these people he's been hanging around with. Johnny just shook his head. He made up his mind at that moment that he was going to leave the house, with or without his friend. Chuck finally threw his arms up in defeat. "Okay, you win, Gage, for tonight. We'll leave and get some shuteye. Is that sufficient?" Johnny nodded, and the two walked towards the door only to be met by Darla. "Now, where in the world are you two sexy guy's off to?" Chuck wrapped his arms around Darla and planted a huge kiss on her. Johnny could tell by the way she looked and from her actions that she was high on drugs. "Well, baby, I just remembered we have to be to work in less than six hours, so I guess we'll have to do this another time." Darla ran her finger in a seductive way up and down Chuck's chest. "Darn, I was hoping you and I could get together tonight." "Next time, baby. I promise." Darla pouted for only a few seconds before rejoining her party as Johnny and Chuck walked out to Johnny's Rover. The drive to Chuck's was a silence one. <<< >>> Johnny's reverie was broken when Chet stalked into the room. He looked up at the stocky firefighter who stood staring at him. "Is there something you want, Chet?" "Actually, Gage, I came to see if maybe you flushed yourself down the toilet, considering you've been in here for the past two hours." Johnny curled his nose at Chet. "Well if I did, it would only be to get away from you. Now how about you go and find something constructive to do, like playing on the freeway." "You know, Gage, that one is really getting old fast. You'd think with the amount of time you've spent in here today, the brain would be working a little better. Oh, but then I forgot, you've been inhaling the Pine-Sol again, haven't you. I've heard it inhibits the brain cells from functioning on a full scale." "I suppose you'd know, considering you're the one who is usually in here." Before Chet could make a retort, Roy walked in and saved the day. "Chet, how about you go find something to do and leave Johnny alone for awhile?" Johnny inwardly thanked his friend for the intrusion. "Fine, I'll go…" Chet pointed his finger at Johnny, "but beware, Gage, the Phantom is still lurking." Johnny raised his hand and threw the rag he'd been holding at Chet, only to hit the door as it swung closed from his escape. Roy stood laughing and shaking his head. In all the years the two had worked together, it still amazed him how Chet and Johnny could irritate each other and not hold a grudge. "So, what's so funny?" Johnny inquired cocking an eyebrow at his friend. "Just thinking about you and Chet, that's all." "And what about us?" "Well, the way the two of you bicker all the time and are still friends. You're almost like a married couple." Looking disgusted, Johnny poked his finger against Roy's chest. "That's not even funny. Don't even go there, Roy. I'll have your head. As for Chet and I being friends, I think not." "Whatever you say, Johnny. Whatever you say. Anyway, I came in to see if you were in a better of mood than you were earlier." "Was I in a bad mood, Roy?" "Now, don't you start with me. You know full well you've had something on your mind ever since you came to work this morning and I wanted you to know I'm still here if you need to talk about it." Johnny pondered the offer for a minute. He knew he had to talk to someone about Chuck and he knew that Roy would keep any conversation confidential, so Johnny finally made up his mind. "I really do need to get something off my chest, Roy, and I need help with deciding what to do." "Alright then...talk." Johnny stepped over to the door that led into the bay. Opening it a crack, he looked around to see if anyone was lurking. Well not just anyone...Johnny wanted to be sure Chet was actually gone. When he was satisfied that no one was around, he turned and faced his friend. "Roy, I think I know someone in the department that may be using drugs." Roy didn't have to think twice about whom Johnny was talking about. "You're talking about Chuck, right?" A surprised look spread across Johnny's. "What makes you think it's him?" "Oh come on, Johnny. All I had to do was put two and two together. Who else have you been hanging around and doing things with while off duty lately?" Johnny nodded. "I can't be a hundred percent sure about it, Roy. I just have my suspicions. I guess you could call it a gut feeling. You know, we've worked a couple of fires lately with 36's and Chuck hasn't been himself...plus, he hasn't been pulling his weight. You know that during the last shift, Evans, the guy on Chuck's crew, got hurt because Chuck wasn't paying attention and doing his job. I know he felt bad about it and chalked it up to fatigue…" Johnny ran a nervous hand thru his hair. "But come on, Roy, I mean we all have had a shift or two when we're wiped and we try hard not to let it interfere with work." Roy nodded, fully understanding what Johnny was saying. Johnny then proceeded to tell Roy about what had happened after the concert the night before. Roy absorbed all that Johnny told him and thought it over. "Roy, I do want to point out that I have never seen him using any drugs and I know he never bought anything at the party last night, but…" "You're just concerned about a friend because he is hanging around a group of people that normally he wouldn't hang around and he's not acting like himself." "Yeah," Johnny agreed with a nod. "The way I see it, Johnny, you're going to have to let Captain Stanley know about this...your suspicions, I mean. He'll handle it tactfully. You know that he will." Johnny closed his eyes and nodded his head. "Thanks for the advice, Roy. I had a feeling that's exactly what you were going to tell me to do." "Look, Johnny, you and I both know if it is true, you may save a life...maybe even your own, if not Chuck's." Johnny opened his eyes, placed his hands on his hips and looked right into Roy eyes. "Yeah I know, but what if it isn't true, Roy? What then? You and I both know that Chuck will not be very forgiving." "Well, the way I see it, it's a chance you have to take. Tell me, which is worse…losing a friendship? Or a friend's life?" "Putting it that way, Roy, I guess I know what I have to do." Before Johnny could get half way across the bay to Stanley's office the Klaxon's sounded. "Station 51, Station 36, Truck 128, Engine 10, and Battalion 14, Structure fire 1430 Alameda. Time out: 15:00 hours. <<< >>> The rain fell in sheets as the engine and squad drove to the scene. Station 51 arrived first. Standing before the men was a ten-story apartment building that had been undergoing renovations. The second and third stories were already well involved. As Johnny and Roy donned their turnout coats, Captain Stanley was already giving out instructions to his men and the other engine companies that were arriving. As the paramedics trotted towards their captain, a middle aged man approached. He identified himself as the landlord. He informed Stanley that there were still some people inside, trapped on the floors above the fire. Johnny and Roy, backed up by Chet and Marco along with the Paramedic's from 36's, Brice and Bellingham, backed up by their guys, Dodger and Adams, entered the building to search for victims. <<< >>> The fire raged on, as the rain pelted down, offering no relief to the men who battled the blaze. The four paramedics worked feverishly at extracting victim after victim from the burning inferno. Most of the victims only suffered mild smoke inhalation; the paramedic's from 36's transported them to Rampart. Just when they thought they had the last of the victims out, a woman appeared from out of the crowd searching for her daughter. The child was thought to be on the sixth floor, apartment 619. Johnny and Roy once again made their way into the burning structure. So far, Johnny had kept as much of an eye as he could on Dodger while they worked. He did notice, when they had been extracted the victims earlier, that Dodger seemed jumpy and distracted. Captain Stanley told the men to make a quick sweep of the apartment on the sixth floor, as it was discovered the blaze was burning inside the walls on the upper floors. This time Roy and Johnny's only backup was Dodger and Adams. As the four men trudged through the building towards the sixth floor, the ceiling started to fall down around them. Johnny was the first one to reach the apartment in question. The men made a sweep of the apartment turned up nothing. The HT squawked to life; Stanley informed the men that the girl had been found outside and he ordered them all out. Before any of them could take two steps towards the stairs, a large chunk of the ceiling gave way and pinned Adams to the floor. The others worked quickly to remove the debris. Adams was unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. With Roy and Dodger's help, Adams was hoisted onto Johnny's shoulder in a fireman's carry. Johnny started for the stairs, when her heard Roy called Chuck's name. Glancing back, he saw that the firefighter seemed to be entering deeper into the building, rather than heading for escape. Roy urged Johnny to get Adams out of the building and to start treating him. Johnny worried; he didn't like the idea of leaving his partner alone with Dodger, not with the inferno raging on around them, but he knew his priorities were to Adams. <<< >>> Roy had to grab onto Dodger's arm and tug him in order to get him moving. It took extra effort on Roy's part to guide Dodger along the hallway as they started their trek out of the building behind Johnny. Just before they got to the stairwell, Dodger suddenly fell to his knees, with Roy almost tumbling down with him. Roy reached over to get a better grip on the firefighter's turncoat to help pull him back onto his feet. Without any warning, Dodger violently pushed him away. The shove was so hard it knocked Roy into the opposing wall, which caused the ceiling above to rain down over his body. A huge chunk of tile hit Roy's head, knocking him unconscious; his breathing gear was knocked away from his face. Dodger sat with his back up against the other wall and stared at the fallen paramedic as if in a daze. As precious minutes ticked away, he remained in that position and made no move to help Roy or himself. <<< >>> The rain continued to pelt down outside as Johnny diligently worked on Adams. Occasionally he looked up at the exit hoping to see Roy and Dodger emerge. He had already informed Captain Stanley that the two men were still inside and where he had last seen them. Concerned, Stanley sent Chet and Marco to search for them. Finally, after what seemed a lifetime, Roy and Dodger were brought out by Chet and Marco. Thankfully, Johnny's work on Adams was complete, and he went to work on his injured partner. Chet quickly assisted with the oxygen on Roy. Dodger sat nearby staring into space, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. Other than sweating profusely, Chuck seemed to be unharmed. Johnny felt he knew the reason behind Dodger's actions just by looking into his face. He was beginning to berate himself for not speaking up to Captain Stanley earlier in the day. In less than five minutes, Roy regained consciousness, much to the relief of Johnny, Chet, and the other members of the crew. All three patients were soon loaded into an awaiting ambulance and they headed for Rampart. <<< >>> Johnny paced outside the treatment room, waiting for word on Roy's condition. As much as he hated it, he also waited to find out if Chuck was, in fact, under the influence of drugs. After what had just ensued, he had felt he had no other choice but to report his suspicions to Bracket. As Johnny paced, he continued to ask himself why Roy hadn't made it out right behind him. He wondered what had happened inside the building. He wondered if Dodger had anything to do with Roy getting hurt. The unanswered questions that formed in his mind only made him ill. He didn't have the time to ask Chet anything at the scene. He again berated himself for not waiting for Roy and Dodger -- to be sure they were both right behind him and had got out safely. At the same time, he knew his priorities at the time were with Adams. Johnny didn't realized just how much time had passed. Suddenly the rest of Station 51's crew was standing next to him. Johnny nervously looked at his captain who had begun to question him about the men. Johnny jumped when Dixie walked out of Roy's treatment room and touched his arm. "Easy does it, Johnny. I don't bite." "How's Roy?" His voice quivered. He looked anxiously at Dixie and waited for her to answer. "He's going to be fine, Johnny, just like Joe told you earlier. He's got a mild concussion and some smoke inhalation. He'll have to stay overnight for observation, but other than that he should be out of here sometime tomorrow. Joe will be finished with him soon." Everyone sighed in relief. "Why don't you all get a cup of coffee, and when Joe is finished you'll be able to see Roy for a few minutes?" Johnny remained frozen in his spot. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He wanted so much to ask about Chuck and what, if anything, Bracket had found out, but he wasn't too sure he wanted to do it in front of his captain. Johnny secretly feared a reprimand would be forthcoming, because he didn't report his suspicions...but he felt he deserved it, considering his best friend, his partner had almost gotten killed today. Before he had a chance to ask, Bracket appeared on the scene. The doctor had an affirmative look on his face when he looked over in Johnny's direction. It was all Johnny needed to confirm what he felt he had already known. Bracket looked away from Johnny, and turned to Hank. "Captain Stanley, could I speak with you for a few minutes please?" Stanley became alarmed. "Is there a problem, Doc?" "Yes, there is a problem, Captain, but it's not with Roy. I do need to discuss something with you in my office, privately." "Okay, Doc, then let's go." Before the two men started towards Bracket's office, the Doctor turned and faced Johnny. "I would also like you to be present as well, Johnny." Johnny swallowed a lump that suddenly formed in his throat. "Okay Doc." Chet, Marco and Mike had astonished looks on their faces. Each of them wondered if their friend was in some kind of trouble. They wondered if Johnny had made some kind of mistake in treating the injured at the scene. They knew that they would find out soon enough. <<< >>> Johnny had never in his career feared facing his captain, until now. He knew he was going to have to answer a lot of questions and it made him ill just thinking about it. Once inside the office, the door shut and everyone seated, Johnny decided he wanted to be the one to start the conversation. "So, Doc, I was right, wasn't I?" Bracket nodded his head. "Right about what?" inquired Stanley. He was still in the dark about the problem and he wanted someone to shed some light on it. Bracket looked from Johnny to Stanley before he spoke. "Johnny brought something to my attention when Fireman Chuck Thomas was brought in tonight...that he might be under the influence of drugs. We found cocaine in his system." "You're certain about this?" Stanley asked. The captain knew that drug use was a career ender and he wanted to be sure of all the facts before the brass and Chuck's own captain was informed. "Lab reports don't lie, Captain. In fact I ran the tests a second time to be absolutely certain. From my examination of Fireman Thomas, it looks like he has been using for a while now." Bracket replied. Stanley took notice of Johnny's demeanor. "Johnny, I know that you and Chuck are good friends. Now I need to know something. Did you know before tonight that Chuck might have had a problem with drugs? "No, Cap, not really. I just had this gut feeling about it." "How long have you had this gut feeling?" "Mostly after what happened last night." "What happened last night?" Stanley needed to know everything. He knew this was a serious situation and he hoped that his paramedic was in no way involved. As he had explained earlier to Roy, Johnny proceeded to tell Stanley and Bracket about the concert the night before. Stanley pondered everything that Johnny told them over in his head. "I need to know this, Johnny, and please don't take this the wrong way. Now that we know that Chuck has been using drugs...have you ever touched the stuff?" Johnny jumped to his feet in protest and pointed his finger, first at Bracket and then at Stanley. "Never! I would never use drugs, and it's not just because of my career I say that! It's because I've seen just how much damage drugs can do to a person! I have too much going for me in my life to start using drugs and end up like that!" Johnny was yelling by the time he finished speaking. "Johnny, I'm not accusing you…" Johnny cut him off as his defensive demeanor started to surface. "It sure as hell seemed like it to me." "Look, Pal, there are going to be a lot of questions when Chuck's drug use come to light, and I need to have everything in my mind clear before these questions start. I don't want any surprises. Before we continue I want you to know, I do believe you about everything. I'm going to be there with you thru all of this." Johnny finally calmed down when he realized Captain Stanley was, in fact, on his side. Stanley looked at Doctor Bracket. "You'll have to send the medical report into Headquarters about Fireman Thomas's condition. I am going to contact Chief McConikee and fill him in about the situation. There will be an investigation…" "About that investigation." Bracket interrupted, looking at Johnny. "Johnny, I think maybe it would be a good idea if maybe we did a drug test on you tonight…" Johnny wanted to protest, but Bracket put his hand up to quiet the paramedic. "Listen, Johnny, I don't think you have used any drugs, nor do I think you're a user, but I think maybe we should clear that avenue before it is brought into question by the department. By clearing you now, no one can cause you any problems later when the department investigates." Stanley looked at Johnny, nodding in agreement. "Johnny, I think Doctor Bracket is right. Now that Chuck's problem has been exposed, who knows what he might say. I, for one, don't want to lose one of my best paramedic's over this. You and I both know, even an accusation is enough to hurt a person's career." Johnny nodded reluctantly. He fully understood the implications surrounding even suspected drug use. Bracket proceeded to have Johnny's drug test done. While this was being done, Stanley contacted the Chief and then went to see Roy. He wanted confirmation from Roy about his and Johnny's conversation. Once all of that was out of the way, he and Johnny headed back to the station. <<< >>> Chief McConikee was waiting for Stanley upon their return. Inside Cap's office, Johnny had to repeat everything he knew about Chuck Thomas, this time to the Chief. He also knew that this would not be the last time he would have to speak about it. As hard as it was for him to talk about his friend, Johnny knew he had no other alternative; Chuck Thomas would have to be relieved from duty for the safety of his fellow firemen and potential victims. <<< >>> The Department Brass did, in fact, investigate. Fireman Roy DeSoto, Fireman Chet Kelly, and Fireman Marco Lopez were all questioned in depth about the night at the apartment fire. Roy was further questioned about his conversation with his partner. The crew members of Station 36's who worked with Fireman Thomas were also questioned about him, and his performance over the previous few weeks. Fireman John Gage was further questioned about the off-time he spent with Fireman Thomas, especially about the day proceeding, and the day of the apartment fire. Fireman Thomas was the last to be questioned. Chuck had admitted to the drug use. Once all of the testimony had been taken and all the reports had been received, the fire department had no alternative but to dismiss Fireman Chuck Thomas from the LA County Fire Department. The investigation revealed that Chuck was a drug user and had been under the influence of cocaine while on duty. Furthermore, he endangered the lives of his co-workers. Although John Gage was cleared of any wrong doing, he paid a high price. His friendship with Chuck suffered. The only way Johnny was able to come to terms with losing Chuck's friendship following the investigation was because of the words his best friend Roy DeSoto had spoken to him.... 'Which is worse...lose a friendship? Or a friend's life?' "Thanks for the Advice..." The End <<< >>> Author's Note: This was my first fanfic. It was written for a challenge for Kindred Spirits. Thank you to Sally and Di for all their help with this one and for their encouragement. Thank you Janet for giving this fic a new home on JGP. ©2000 |