Too Rough A Play
By Lynda Phillips


Captain Anderson looked around the locker room, as his men got ready to face 51 in the basketball semi-finals. He studied his men as they talked about the up coming game and how they were going to show everyone that they were the best. As his gaze zeroed in on Johnson, a frown came to his face as he thought back to the previous game.

Johnson was a good, but aggressive player. During practice, he would play good and be aggressive, but would be careful not to hurt anyone. However, when it came to an actual game and facing an opponent of the opposite team, his playing became more aggressive and he did not use the proper caution when it came to physical contact with another player. In the previous game, he had been benched twice for aggressive force against an opponent and had ended up with five personal fouls by the end of the third, which resulted in him being benched for the rest of the game.

Despite repeated warnings from Anderson about the overly aggressive way Johnson played the game may seriously injure someone, Johnson laughed it off saying, that was the way he had always played it and that injuries happened when it came to contact sports. When reminded it was just a game, Johnson stated that it was played to be won, not to lose. He just hoped that he didn't regret his decision to let the man play this game.

Glancing up at the clock on the wall, he saw that it was five minutes until game time. Placing his hands around his mouth, "All right, men! Let's have some quiet!" Once the room quieted and he had their attention, he continued, "We are going to be facing Station 51's A Shift in a few minutes. They are currently in 1st place, and if we want to get to the finals, we have to beat them. That means everyone is going to have to be doing their best. Johnson, that means you need to hold back on the aggressiveness."

"But, Cap, unless you play aggressively, you can't win!" Johnson protested.

"That's where you're wrong, Johnson," Anderson answered. "And it will only put you on the bench for the remainder of the game."

"But, Cap," Johnson said, still pressing the point. "In order to get to the finals, we have to play a little on the rough side. There's nothing wrong with that!"

"You're right, it's a little on the rough side. But," Anderson said holding up a hand to stall the inevitable protests from the others, "We are not here to injure out opponents. Johnson, we are not here to injure anyone and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, hold back on that aggressiveness, or this will be your last game. Now," he continued turning toward the others, "Let's get out there and play a good, clean game!"

****


Johnson and the others watched as 51 left the court after their warm-up. Anderson was right-51 were good and it was going to take rough tactics in order to beat them. Despite what Anderson said he was going to go out there and play a good hard game. If someone got hurt, well they got hurt. He wanted his team to win and he was going to do anything to make sure that they would. If they didn't win, it would not be because he didn't try.

A moment later, the referee blew his whistle and both teams entered the court. Johnson set his feet and got into position, noticing that he was standing across from the one that was known as Gage. He had met him once and knew that he was one of the paramedics and that his friends called him Johnny. He would knock that look of confidence off his face if given the chance.

****


Johnny watched the ball, being careful to guard his man. As Roy made the basket he jumped and cheered him briefly as he made his way down to the other end of the court, to guard the man he was assigned to. Glancing down the court he saw Johnson heading toward him. He wasn't thrilled about how the man played, having met a couple of his elbows during the game.

Johnson headed down the court, watching as Johnny took his position in front of the basket, guarding his teammate. He scowled as he realized Johnny would be able to block any play that came his way. He had hoped that the elbows Johnny had intercepted would have intimidated him into not being so close to his counterpart. But since it hadn't, it was time to get a little more physical. And he wasn't afraid to do it, despite of what Anderson had said; he was going to take Johnny out of the game.

Johnny turned his attention back to the person with the ball and saw that he was getting ready to pass it to the player to his right. Moving slightly over, knowing that it would give Johnson a chance to make a basket if he missed, he concentrated on blocking the pass. As the ball left the player's hand, he launched himself in front of the player managing to intercept the ball. Before he could do anything else, he felt himself being struck hard in the side, and he lost his balance, falling to the floor.

Johnson saw his chance as Johnny launched himself in front of his teammate, intercepting the ball. Before Johnny could steady himself, Johnson shoved him hard, placing his right foot behind Johnny so he would trip over it. A smile came to Johnson's face, when Johnny lost his balance and headed toward the floor, the ball bouncing away as Johnny tried to catch himself.

Johnny landed hard, gasping at the painful jar that traveled through his right arm and the sudden explosion of pain as his face connected with the floor. Unable to stop his momentum, he continued his slide across the floor, not stopping until he hit the wall. His head exploded with pain as it bounced off the wall and he slid partway back into the court area. He vaguely heard people calling his name as he slid down a dark tunnel into oblivion.
Roy and the others watched as Johnson barreled into Johnny knocking him down, knowing that there was nothing they could do as the force of the blow sent Johnny face first to the floor, then sent him sliding into the wall, where the back of his head connected with it, before sending him back into the court. When the shock wore off, Roy ran to where Johnny was laying, yelling "JOHNNY!"

Johnson and the others watched as Roy and the rest of the 51 crew ran to where Johnny was laying. Bending, he picked up the basketball as it rolled toward him, smiling slightly as he knew that Johnny would not be playing anymore that day. He just gave his team the needed edge in order to win. It didn't matter that he received a personal foul as it wouldn't put him out of the game. Then, as the members of his team headed toward where Johnny-who was showing no signs of consciousness and was not moving-he found himself wondering if he had shoved him a little too hard. After all, he just wanted to take him out of the game, not seriously hurt him. Slowly, he joined his teammates, not liking the feeling that was building in his stomach.

Roy slid to a stop, kneeling down next to Johnny as the others joined him. Placing his mouth near Johnny's ear, Roy said, "Johnny?" Then louder, "Johnny, can you hear me?" At his lack of response, he glanced up at Stanley saying, "We need a squad and an ambulance."

Before Stanley could respond, Anderson stood saying, "I'm on it," and ran toward the front desk of the gym.

Roy's attention returned to Johnny and he started checking him for injuries. He quickly found a large bump on the back of Johnny's head and a small spot of blood that was forming on the floor, under Johnny's nose and mouth.

"Cap, I want you to place your hands alongside his head while I turn him. Marco, Chet, Mike, help me turn him. Ready?" At their nods of understanding, they carefully turned him over onto his back. "Cap, keep his head straight and don't let him move it."

"Right, Roy," Stanley answered from his position.

"Roy?" Chet asked, as he saw the blood dribbling from Johnny's nose and mouth.

"I see it," Roy said, bending and carefully examining Johnny's mouth, then nose. After a moment, "He's bit his lip and he's got a bloody nose. Mike, can you get me a clean towel from the bench?" glancing up at him. At Mike's nod, he returned his attention to Johnny as he let out a slight moan. "He's coming around. Cap, don't let him move his head." At Stanley's nod, he turned his attention to Johnny, "Johnny, can you hear me?"

Johnny moaned again, trying to move his head, becoming agitated when he found he couldn't. As he heard his name repeated, he slowly opened his eyes and found himself looking into the concerned face of Roy and his crewmates.

"Roy….," he slurred, trying to move a bit.

"Johnny, don't move," Roy said, placing his hand lightly on his chest, and taking the towel that Mike handed to him. As he gently wiped the blood from Johnny's face, asked "How do you feel?"

"My right arm and head hurts," he answered after a moment.

"Does your back hurt?" Roy asked, laying aside the bloodied towel, and carefully starting to examine Johnny's arm. At his negative response, "How about your neck?"

"No…," he slurred, gasping a little as Roy reached his wrist. Then, "A little."

"What do you mean by a little?" Roy asked, motioning for Marco and Mike to remove Johnny's shoes and socks.

"It's stiff. Like I slept on it funny," he answered after a moment. Then, as he noticed the puffiness of his lip and nose, "My lip and nose feels funny."

"You bit your lip and bumped your nose," Roy told him, smiling as he saw him jerk his feet away from Marco and Mike. "But I don't think your nose is broken," Roy continued as he gently palpitated it. "Johnny, can you move your hands? Wiggle your toes for me. Good," Roy said, his smile getting bigger as Johnny was able to complete each command.

"What happened?" Johnny asked, as he once again tried to sit up, only to be held down gently by Stanley.

"You've had an accident," Roy answered, glancing up as Anderson rejoined them. "Is the ambulance on the way?"

"Yes, as well as a Squad. They should both be here shortly."

"What type of accident?" came from Johnny as he tried to look toward them, unable to as Stanley kept him from moving his head.

"You fell," Roy said, returning his attention to Johnny. As a worried look started to form on Johnny's face, Roy leaned down into his line of sight, "You're going to be all right, Johnny. There's nothing to get upset about."

"You suspect a serious injury, don't you?" Johnny asked as the sound of sirens could be heard.

"Yes, we do, but," Roy said, cutting Johnny off. "Your spinal column is intact and you can move your arms and legs."

"Not paralyzed?" Johnny asked, as he tried to move once again.

"No, you're not paralyzed," Roy said, pinching his thigh lightly. Then, at Johnny's slight scowl, "See? You felt that. And you can feel that wrist injury."

"Yeah, I did and I can," Johnny said, wincing a bit as the injury to his wrist made itself known.

****


Carter brought the squad to a halt next to the curb and disembarked. He quickly walked around to the other side, where Dean was already jerking the equipment out of the compartments. As Dean pulled out the backboard, he bent and picked up the biophone and drug box, saying, "Hey, isn't this where the basketball semi-finals are being held?"

"Yeah," Dean answered hefting the board as he glanced at his partner. "Wonder what happened?"

"Wish I knew," Carter said, heading toward the door. "Best get in there and find out."

"Right behind you," Dean said, following Carter.

Entering the building, they didn't have any problems finding where the injured party was. The group of tightly knit people showed the location where the injury occurred. Taking a quick head count, they realized that one of the team's players was on the ground, and he wasn't being allowed to move. As they got closer, they noticed that the person's shoes and socks had been removed, indicating that a serious spinal injury was suspected. A moment later, one of them glanced up, and all wondering ceased as they realized who the injured person was.

"Roy?" Carter asked, as he knelt down next to him, placing the biophone and the drug box down next to them. "What happened?"

"Johnny had just intercepted the ball when Johnson barreled into him, shoving him into the wall," Roy answered, giving Johnson an angry glare. "He was shoved so hard that he bounced off the wall and back into the court. He was out a good five minutes."

"How you doing, Johnny?" Carter asked, as he started taking the vitals.

"All right," Johnny answered softly.

"You hurt anywhere?" he asked, as he wrapped the BP cuff around Johnny's arm.

"My head and my right wrist hurts, my nose and my lip feels funny, and my neck feels stiff, like I slept on it funny," Johnny said.

"Do you remember what happened?" Carter asked, making a notation and checking his pulse and respiration.

"Not really," Johnny said, after a moment. "Someone pushed me. Am I going to be all right?"

"Of course you will," Dean said, sitting back from checking his pupils and opening the biophone. He snapped the antennae in place and picking up the receiver, he continued, "Rampart, this is Squad 14."

"This is Rampart," came Dixie's voice. "Go ahead, Squad 14."

"Rampart, we have a male, 27 years of age, victim of a fall which occurred during a basketball game. According to witnesses, he was shoved into a brick wall, fell, and slid into the court. There is a bump on the back of his head and he has bitten his lip, which caused slight bleeding. He is complaining that his head hurts, that his nose and lip feels funny, and that his neck is stiff, as if he slept on it funny. Also, he has a minor injury to his right wrist and it is slightly swollen. Vitals are: BP 120/40, pulse 70, and respiration 16. Pupils are equal and reactive. There is no sign of bleeding or fluid in the nose, ears, and mouth."

"Does the spinal column seem intact?" came Brackett's voice after a moment of silence.

Dean glanced toward Roy who nodded his head. "That's affirmative, Rampart. First aide was applied by off duty paramedic, Roy DeSoto. Be advised, the patient is John Gage."

Brackett exchanged surprise glances with Dixie before returning his attention to the radio. After a moment, he depressed the button, saying, "Squad 14, apply a cervical collar and place patient on backboard, using complete spinal precautions. Apply splint to right wrist and start an IV D5W and transport immediately."

"10-4, Rampart. ETA is 15 minutes."

"We'll be ready, Squad 14."

****


Under the watchful gaze of Roy the attendants lifted the backboard onto the gurney. As they strapped the backboard down, Roy turned to Stanley, who was talking with Anderson, saying, "I'm riding in with him, if that's all right."

"Sure it is," Stanley answered, turning toward Roy and watched as the gurney moved toward the door. "We'll meet you there. It shouldn't take us more than 20 minutes to get there."

"All right, Cap," Roy answered, and headed toward the locker room to grab his change of clothing.

Stanley turned back toward Anderson, saying, "It looks like you've won the game. Congratulations."

"We don't deserve it," Anderson said, glancing toward Johnson. "Perhaps, we can postpone the game. It wouldn't be fair that you're forced to forfeit the game because of something my man did. Perhaps, we should be the ones to declare a forfeit."

"That wouldn't be fair to the rest of your team," Stanley said, his attention drawn to the sudden stop of the gurney and urgent talking.

Unknown to Stanley and Anderson, due to the quietness of the court following the accident, Johnny had overheard the conversation. Realizing that they probably wouldn't get a postponement, and that they would be forfeiting team if they left, he tried to sit up, refusing to allow them to take him out the door. The more Carter and Dean tried to calm him, the more he fought.

"Johnny, you can't get up," Dean said, placing his hand against Johnny's chest.

"No, I can't go," Johnny insisted. "Let me off this gurney. I'm okay."

"No, you're not," Dean said, trying to get Johnny to calm down.

"Yes, I am….," Johnny panted, as he started to tire. "I just had the wind knocked out of me."

"You had more than just the wind knocked out," Carter said, glancing up and spotting Roy as he neared the door to the locker room. "Roy! Roy, come quick!"

"Let me up!" Johnny exclaimed, trying to reach the strap to undo it.

Roy had just reached the door, when a call of "Roy, come quick!" echoed through the gym. He looked in the direction of the call and saw that the gurney had stopped just at the door and Johnny had become agitated, trying to sit up. He hurried over to where they had stopped and knelt down next to him, saying, "Johnny, calm down. I'm coming with you."

"No….don't…want…you too," Johnny said, momentarily stopping his struggles and trying to look toward Roy being hampered by the c-collar.

"Why don't you want me too?" Roy asked, puzzled, glancing up as Stanley as the others joined him.

"You won't be able to finish the game if you come," Johnny answered, his eyes closing against the pain his struggles were causing. "I don't want you to forfeit the game because of me."

"What are you talking about?"

"The game. You'll have to forfeit the game, if you come. We'll loose the game and it'll be my fault. It was my fault I got hurt. I should have been more careful," Johnny panted, his eyes opening as tears of frustration started forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Roy, I'm so sorry," Johnny continued, trying to keep the tears at bay. Then looking past him to the others, "I'm sorry….I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Pal," Stanley said, kneeling down and patting Johnny's arm lightly, and giving him a small smile. "If you don't want us to forfeit the game, but to complete it we will."

"And it's not your fault you got hurt," Stoker piped up, drawing Johnny's attention. "If Johnson hadn't of shoved you into that wall, you wouldn't have been hurt."

"You're not mad?" Johnny asked, keeping his eyes on Stoker. At his nod, he glanced around at the others, "You're really not mad at me?"

"No, we're not," Stoker reassured him, as the others nodded. "And we'll finish the game, if that's what you want."

"You will?" Johnny asked, hardly believing what he was hearing.

"Yes, we will," Roy repeated, receiving nods from the others. "But you need to calm down and let them take you to Rampart, all right?"

Johnny nodded, taking a deep breath. After a few moments, Roy looked up at Carter, who had just taken another set of vitals, and at his nod, returned his attention to Johnny. "After the game, we'll be down to see how you're doing, all right?"

"Yeah," Johnny said, as his eyes started to close again. "Thanks, Roy."

"Hey, stay awake!" Roy commanded. Then, as Johnny's eyes opened and focused on him, "No problem," Roy said, standing and motioning them to take the gurney out. He watched until the gurney was out the door.

Once the gurney was out of sight, Stanley said, "All right, guys, we've got a game to play."

****


Carter and Dean accompanied the gurney as the attendants guiding it followed Dixie to treatment room 3. Since Roy and the others hadn't come in, it would be up to them to answer any questions, if Johnny was unable to. Johnny's condition hadn't changed that much on the way in, but he hadn't been that coherent either.

Brackett glanced up as the door opened, surprise crossing his face as he realized Roy hadn't accompanied Johnny to the hospital. As they carefully transferred him to the exam table, he asked "How are his vitals?"

"BP is up to 120/50, pulse is 70, and respiration is 16," Dean answered as he hung the IV on its stand, stepping back to make room for Brackett. "His pupils are equal and reactive, but he's still on the groggy side."

"I'm surprised Roy didn't come in with you," Brackett said, as he examined the bump on the back of Johnny's head. "Is there a reason?" as he pulled his penlight out and checked Johnny's pupil reaction.

Before Dean could respond, Johnny answered, softly, "The game wasn't over." Then, wincing as the light was shone into his eyes, "We would have had to forfeit the game if they didn't stay and continue the game."

"You mean to tell me that the game was more important to Roy and the others than you?" Brackett asked Johnny, irritation creeping into his voice. Not giving Johnny a chance to respond, continued, "I thought I knew Roy better than that. Doesn't he realize you are seriously injured? What was he thinking?"

"But…but…I didn't want him to," Johnny said, confused by his reaction. At Brackett's continued stern gaze, he started to become agitated thinking that he had somehow said the wrong thing.

"Kel," said Dixie, as she noticed Johnny's reaction. "Now's not the time."

"I disagree, Dix," Brackett snapped, angrily. "Now is the time. And don't tell me you think Roy made the right decision," he concluded as he placed the penlight in his pocket. Then seeing the look on her face, straightened, "But I suppose you're going to anyway."

"Yes, I am," Dixie answered, trying to keep Johnny's agitation from increasing. "It doesn't matter what I think, I wasn't there. But considering that Roy and the others didn't come in, maybe it was," motioning toward Johnny whose agitation was increasing. Even though it wasn't apparent to Brackett, Dixie knew Johnny was becoming upset.

"And what could those circumstances be?" Brackett asked, heat in his tone.

Johnny couldn't understand what Brackett was saying. Did he make Roy do something he shouldn't have? Something that would endanger his position or cost him his job? It was his fault that he got hurt, it was his fault that Roy didn't come in, and it was his fault that Roy was in trouble. He couldn't let Roy get suspended or worse. Before either could say anything else, Johnny tried once more to sit up, letting out a wail of "No….Don't be mad at Roy. It's not his fault he didn't come. I didn't want him to come…I made him stay…"

"Johnny, stay still," Dean said, moving up to help Dixie hold Johnny still. "Now, you know Roy isn't in trouble."

"Then why is Dr. Brackett so angry?" Johnny asked. "He wouldn't be angry if Roy didn't do something wrong."

"Johnny, Roy didn't do anything wrong. You and Roy aren't on duty remember?" Dean responded. Jerking his head toward Carter, then toward Brackett, "You know that Brackett can't order Roy around when he's not on duty."

"Doc," Carter said, picking up Dean's cue and drawing Brackett's attention away from Johnny, and motioning toward him. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure," Brackett said, surprise tingeing his voice. He took one last look at Johnny, before joining him near the door. "You know something about the circumstances I don't?"

"Doc, the reason Roy didn't come in with him is that Johnny didn't want him to," Carter said, ignoring the question. "Johnny got real upset about the prospect that the game would be forfeited if they didn't complete it. Roy and the others thought it was best to finish the game and come in afterwards. That calmed Johnny down enough so that he quit fighting us and we could get him in here. As you can now see, it was the right decision."

"Surely Johnny and the others don't put that much stock in a basketball game," Brackett said, glancing back to where Dixie and Dean were slowly calming Johnny down.

"Normally, no. But it's the concussion talking more than anything. And you always told us that it is more important to keep the patient calm than to try and reason with them."

"I see," Brackett said, heaving a sigh. "And of course, you're right. I should have realized there was a valid reason."

Brackett glanced up as Dixie came over, an unhappy look on her face. Before he could say anything, she said, "Don't. Don't say it. Thanks to you, Johnny believes that Roy is going to be fired for negligence."

"I said no such thing," Brackett protested. "Where did he get that idea from?"

"You're reaction," Dixie hissed angrily. "You were so angry about why Roy didn't come in, that you didn't ask why. Not to mention taking into consideration that there might have been a reason. Now, Johnny's all upset again, trying to get off the table, and his vitals are all over the place. Now he's saying there's nothing wrong other than getting the wind knocked out of him."

"But he was out a good five minutes before Roy could get him to respond," Carter said. "And the neck injury. What if it's broken?"

"Not to mention the head injury we're dealing with," Brackett stated.

Brackett glanced at Johnny, who was now staring at the ceiling and no longer trying to get off the exam table. Taking a deep breathe, he returned to Johnny's side and placed his hand lightly on his shoulder. When Johnny glanced up at him, he said, "Johnny, I'm sorry I upset you. I hear you think Roy's in trouble. He's not."

"Really?" Johnny asked, glancing up at Brackett.

"Really. I should have known there was a reason why Roy didn't come, and I didn't ask for it before thinking the worse."

"It's all right, Doc," Johnny answered, watching as Dixie took another set of vitals.

Brackett followed his gaze. A moment later, Dixie glanced up with a smile on her face. He watched as she turned her attention to Johnny, saying, "That's better, Johnny. Now, you just take it easy while we wait for x-ray to get here. No more trying to get off this table, okay?"

"'Kay," Johnny murmured.

"Vitals are: pulse 76, respiration 20, and BP 120/40," she said as she returned her attention to Brackett.

"Not bad," Brackett said as he notated the figures on the chart. Glancing toward the door as it opened, he watched as they pushed the x-ray machine into the room. "I want a picture of his right wrist, a full skull series and spinal series. He's not showing any signs of paralysis, but I want you to use full spinal precautions. Let me know as soon as they're ready."

"Yes, Doctor," the technician said, moving over toward Johnny.

Brackett motioned for the others to precede him out the door. As the door shut, Carter asked, "Is Johnny going to be okay?"

"I think so," Brackett said. "What I'm concerned about the most is the neck injury. It might be as minor as strained muscles, caused when he hit the wall, or a minor displacement of the spinal column. The x-rays will confirm that."

"And if it's the latter?" Carter asked in concern.

"Then we're looking at months in traction. Before he can even get out of that bed," Brackett said, glancing toward the door.

"I thought basketball was supposed to be just a game," Dixie said. "Why were they playing so rough?"

"There probably was only one player playing that rough. Johnson," Dean answered in disgust. "I met a few elbows of his myself."

"So that's where you got the black eye," Carter said, glancing at his partner. At his nod, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You had to work with him next shift," Dean replied. "I didn't want you getting in trouble for slugging him."
"I wouldn't have slugged him." Then at Dean's look, "Okay, I probably would have. But he would have deserved it."

"True. But Cap wouldn't of thought so," Dean responded, looking toward the door as it opened and the technician exited. "And I hope 51 knocks the socks off those guys. For Johnny."

****


Shortly after the ambulance had left, heading for Rampart, the game resumed play. When Anderson had told Johnson that he was to watch the remainder of the game from the bench, he thought he had been kidding. But when Anderson took the ball from him and motioned for Tyler to take his place, he realized he hadn't been. Before he could protest the decision, Anderson pointed to the bench and told him to park it.

Now, Johnson sat, fuming, on the bench as the team continued playing. Didn't they know he was their best player? He was sorry that Gage had gotten hurt, but if he had been paying attention, he would have seen him coming. He hadn't hit him that hard and it was an accident that he had hit the wall. Besides, his teammates weren't that concerned. If they were, they would not be continuing the game, but would have gone with him. That's what he thought they were going to do, until Johnny started getting upset. Now they were losing and it was Gage's fault.

He watched as Anderson returned to the bench and sat down. Looking toward the court at a sound of a groan, he saw that 51 had once again regained the ball, due to an interception. His eyes narrowed in anger, and he turned to Anderson, saying, "Cap, you need to put me back in the game!"

"No, I don't, Johnson," Anderson answered, glancing at him. "I told you that if you played overly aggressive, I would bench you. John Gage is currently in the hospital, thanks to you."

"It wasn't my fault!" he protested angrily.

"I suppose it was Gage that pushed himself into that wall?" Anderson responded, looking sharply at Johnson. "I saw it happen."

"But we'll lose the game!" Johnson exclaimed. "Don't you want us to win?"

"Of course, I want us to win," Anderson hissed angrily. "But not at the expense or injury from the other team. You should have thought of that before you pushed Gage into that wall."

"You just don't get it," Johnson said, angrily. "You can't win unless you play a little rough."

"Is that what you call it, Johnson?" Anderson asked, in a deadly calm voice.

"Yes, I do," Johnson said, looking toward the court, just in time to see 51 score. "Carson, that was an easy block!" Then, turning back to Anderson, "Besides he wasn't that hurt."

"What would you call a moderate concussion and neck injury? Or did you not notice that they took him out on a back board?"

"He wasn't injured that bad!" Johnson exclaimed angrily.

"Yes, he was. All because you decided to play a little too rough," Anderson answered, equally angry. "Just be happy that it happened while off duty, or you would be facing an official reprimand. And I hope, for your sake, that it isn't a career ending injury," and with that Anderson turned his back on Johnson, returning his attention to the game.

****


Brackett glanced up as the door opened and watched as Roy and the others from 51's A Shift walked down the hall. Leaning against the counter, he waited for them to reach him, a smile coming to his face as he saw the trophy that was in Stanley's hands.

"I see you won," Brackett said, motioning toward the trophy.

"Yeah, we did," Stanley said, hefting it up. "1st place in the semi-annuals. We're going to get the plate engraved with the Station's number and the members of the team who helped to win it."

"Yeah, and we brought it to show Johnny," Chet piped up. "How is he?"

"How badly is he injured?" Roy asked, noting the solemn look on Brackett's face.

"He's doing fine," Brackett answered, motioning for them to enter the lounge. "He was lucky. It could have been worse."

"What's wrong with him?" Stanley asked, suddenly worried.

"Johnny has a split lip, which we needed to put a couple of stitches in to close, a sore, but not broken, nose, a sprained right wrist, which will need to be kept immobile for a week, a moderate concussion, and a neck injury."

"How bad?" Roy asked.

"The muscle was pulled when he struck the wall, causing an injury similar to whiplash," Brackett answered, holding up his hands to forestall an interruption. "But it could have been worse."

"Like how?" Marco asked, worry creasing his face.

"It could have required him to be in traction for a week or until it healed," Brackett responded. "As it is, he will be spending at least a week here and have to wear a neck brace for another two."

"I see," Stanley said as a look of relief crossed his face. "How long will it be before he can return to work?"

"I'd say at least a month," Brackett said, doing a mental calculation. "But it could be sooner, depending on how well Johnny obeys the restrictions he'll be on. You might want to stress that strongly to him when you visit him."

"We will, Doc," Stoker said. "Can we go see him?"

"Sure. He's in room 216."

"Thanks, Doc," Marco said, as they headed off toward the elevators.

****


Johnny's eyes opened as he heard the door to his room open. Not able to move his head so he could see who it was, he waited until the person moved into his range of vision. As that person turned into Roy, he realized that there was more than one person in the room.

"Roy?" Johnny asked, as he bent down to his level. "Who all's with you?"

"Cap, Chet, Marco, and Stoker," Roy answered. "How you feeling?"

"Stupid," Johnny answered, as he waved at the others. "I must have acted pretty silly at the court."

"I wouldn't say that," Stoker said, patting his arm.

"But the scene I caused must have been embarrassing," Johnny said, his gaze still on the ceiling. "I know I acted like an idiot in the ER when they were examining me."

"Went off the deep end on them, didn't you?" Chet asked.

"You could say that," Johnny answered, moving his eyes so he could see Chet. Finding it uncomfortable, he asked, "Roy, could you raise the head of the bed a bit?"

"Are you sure it's all right?" Roy asked, as he picked up the control. At Johnny's affirmative answer, he slowly raised the head of the bed, until Johnny indicted it was high enough.

"Thanks, Roy," he said, with a sigh. "I was afraid that Brackett was going to fire Roy for not coming in. He got so mad about him not coming in."

"Oh?" Stanley asked. "He didn't seem angry when we got here."

"What'd he say?" Roy asked, just as surprised.

"That the game was more important than my welfare. I got sort of upset at him and tried to get off the table. It took them awhile to get me to calm down."

"Didn't you realize that you couldn't?" Marco asked.

"No. I was being stupid," Johnny repeated, glaring slightly at Marco. Then, in order to change the subject, "How did we do?"

"We won," Stanley said, carefully lifting the trophy up and holding it so Johnny could see it. "We will be taking the plate in to get it engraved. And until you are feeling better, we all decided it would look really good on your table."

"You don't have to do that," Johnny said, as he examined the trophy he had helped win.

"It's the least we can do," Roy said, watching as Stanley placed it on the bedside table. "Can you see it there?"

"Yeah," Johnny answered, glancing toward it. After a moment of silence, "What happened to Johnson?"

"He got benched for the rest of the game," Stanley answered. "By what I could hear of the chewing out he received, I don't think he'll be playing basketball anytime soon. Especially if his teammates have anything to say about it."

"Yeah, from what Carter said, this isn't the first time he has injured someone," Stoker added. "But this is the first time he injured someone this badly."

"I'm sorry, Cap," Johnny said softly. "I could have lost the game for us. I should have been more careful."

"Johnny, we've been through this already," Roy said. "It wasn't your fault. Johnson's the one who shoved you into that wall."

"I know, but…"

"No, buts, John," Stanley said, placing his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "It's not your fault. He was playing a rough game and he got too rough. You just happened to be the one who caught the brunt of it."

You're not angry?" Johnny asked.

"Not with you," Marco said. At Johnny's puzzled look, "With Johnson. He shouldn't of been playing that rough. He could have seriously injured you."

"And why would you think we were angry with you?" Stanley asked.

"I could of lost us the game," Johnny answered.

"Johnny, Brackett was right," Roy said. "We care more about your welfare than the game. It was in your best welfare that we continued to play the game. It calmed you down and allowed them to bring you in. We wanted to come in with you, but you wanted us to play so bad, that the thought of us forfeiting the game caused you to become extremely upset. So we finished the game. And we happened to win."

"But you could have easily lost," Johnny said.

"Yes, we could have," Stanley said. "But we didn't."

"And even if we had lost," Stoker added, "It wouldn't have mattered as long as you were going to be all right."

"And because we didn't, we're heading to the finals," Chet said, with a grin. "And the finals wouldn't be the same if you weren't able to play."

"But it'll be a month before I can do anything!" Johnny exclaimed.

"And the finals are in 3 months," Stanley replied. "Which gives you plenty of time to recover. So you do what the docs tell you so you can get better and be able to play. Deal?"

"Deal!" Johnny exclaimed as a happy smile came to his face.

The End

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