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Chapter One

Fireman/paramedic John Gage finished adjusting his snazzy tie in front of the mirror in his station locker and turned to Roy.

"How do I look?" he asked, flashing a wide grin.

Roy snorted and turned away.

"You're dressed to kill," he muttered while adjusting his own typical ugly checkered suit. Johnny frowned for a nanosecond and addressed Roy's curt reply.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he demanded. Roy made duck lips while he thought and then shrugged. "Just that," he said, trying not to smile, "Dressed to kill,"

Chet barged in from behind a row of lockers and laughed.

"Yeah," he put in, "Dressed to kill people with that god-awful neon suit. One look at it and they'll be struck dead with horror at your poor fashion choices."

Johnny raised his eyebrows in shock.

"Do you know how much I paid for this suit?"

Chet nodded. "Too much," he said bluntly. Johnny huffed and slammed his locker shut. "Dr. Brackett wears the exact same thing and you don't complain about his attire," he argued. Roy glanced over at his partner and gave him a mild look.

"That's because even on his worst day, Brackett looks his best. He can pull off that look effortlessly. You just look like a wire coat hanger that somebody decided to drape an ugly suit on."

Johnny scoffed. "So what you're saying is that I don't have any meat on my bones?"

Roy didn't hesitate. "Exactly,"

Johnny stood aghast, mouth open as he watched Roy walk out of the locker room.

"You want to see meat? I'll show you meat!" he called after Roy, following him out to the parking lot. Chet stayed in the locker room and silently cackled at his own creation. It was so darn easy to pick a fight between Gage and Roy. Gage especially.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Roy got into Johnny's Rover and buckled himself in. Johnny got into the driver's seat and buckled his seat-belt as well.

"Ugly suit," he grumbled, "I paid a good hump of cash for this."

Roy rolled his eyes. "Don't let Chet get under your skin. You look fine," he lied. Johnny looked out the rear window as he backed out of his parking space.

"Chet's like a parasite," he said absent-mindedly, "He infects one person and then it spreads."

Roy was about to argue with that logic, but he decided not to. It was too easy to get Johnny riled. As they sped out of the parking lot, Johnny pursed his lips and frowned.

"Did Brackett ever mention what this party was for?" he questioned, giving Roy a bewildered look.

"He didn't say," Roy replied, "I was just surprised Dr. Brackett was throwing a party, period."

Johnny stayed silent for a few minutes and then a Grinch-like grin spread across his face. "Ya know what I think?"

"No, but I know you'll tell me anyway," Roy sighed.

Johnny licked his lips before continuing. "I think," he started, "That Dr. Brackett and Dix are tying the knot!"

Roy blinked and then stole a look over at his paramedic partner.

Roy thought about it; it was quite possible, for the most part. There were many instances where Roy thought Dr. Brackett and Dixie were getting serious, but a falling out was always inevitable. Besides, Roy had just talked to Dixie the other day and she hadn't mentioned anything about her and Dr. Brackett "tying the knot". Well, maybe she wouldn't after all. Maybe it was a surprise party! Maybe Dixie didn't know that they were tying the knot? Wait, shouldn't things like that be talked about before a decision was made? Perhaps the doc was throwing this party out of the goodness of his heart? Roy shook his head and nixed the thought. This had to be something special; doctors didn't just throw parties because they could. Some achievement had to precede special events like this.

"So, whaddaya think?" Johnny pressed, interrupting Roy's thoughts.

Roy blinked again to bring himself back to reality.

"Could very well be," he answered, "But could be just the opposite."

Johnny narrowed his eyes.

"A break-up party?" he demanded shrilly.

Roy shook his head. "Just keep driving. We'll find out when we get there."

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

When Johnny and Roy arrived at the reception hall in the hospital, they discovered that everyone was already there, having a jolly good time. The two paramedics were not welcomed by any of the doctors, nurses, or off-duty firemen that were present.

"What'd we miss?" Johnny asked a nurse over the music, trying to remain confident; although he was a mite disappointed they had started without him and Roy. Of course, he knew it was stupid to expect a whole party would be postponed until the two of them arrived, but the thought was nice.

The nurse didn't even glance at Johnny, she just answered, smiling while looking ahead.

"We're waiting for Dr. Early to come!" she said excitedly.

Roy frowned. "Dr…Dr. Early?" he stammered. The nurse turned to look at Roy and nodded.

"Sure," she replied perkily, "Dr. Brackett planned this party as a surprise for Dr. Early. It was his birthday yesterday and he had to work and was a tad bit disappointed, so a few of us got together and planned this party."

Johnny frowned and slumped his shoulders slightly, feeling a bit left out and stupid for wrongly guessing this was a party for Dr. Brackett and Dixie. Roy must've known what Johnny was thinking, for he leaned over and hissed out the side of his mouth while smiling, "Looks like you were wrong, pard,"

Johnny nodded slightly.

"Sure looks that way, doesn't it?" he murmured. Roy and Johnny were brought out of their state of confusion by Dixie walking up to them with a wide grin. She was wearing a knee-length open-backed black party dress with sheer sleeves. Her hemline was low enough for Johnny, but not high enough for Roy, who always got uncomfortable when he saw Dixie in anything else but her standard crisp-white nurse uniform. He didn't know what it was, but seeing doctors and nurses outside of work was like when you were a kid and you saw your teacher outside of school. It was awkward to say the least, because Roy had found out when he was little, that his fourth-grade teacher, outside of school, smoked marijuana. He chocked his present awkwardness up to every crazy teacher he ever had.

"Hey guys," she said in her smoky-sweet voice, "Glad you could come. It wouldn't be a party without you, Roy," she said with a wink.

Johnny caught this purposeful jab and narrowed his eyes. Dixie laughed and grabbed his shoulder. "We love you too, Johnny," she chuckled. Johnny shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'm the life of the party, ya know."

Dixie looked around and saw everybody having a good time, not even one of them realizing the two paramedics were there.

"Sure," she mused.

She grabbed Roy's sleeve and led him towards the center of the room, where Dr. Brackett and Dr. Morton stood, waiting for Dixie. Johnny followed, still childishly feeling left out.

"Our final guests have arrived," Dr. Brackett said smiling, arms crossed in his usual authoritative manner. He was dressed in the exact same suit that Johnny was wearing, only he filled it out better, much to Johnny's chagrin; He hated it when Roy was right. Dr. Morton wore a much more wisely thought-out gray suit with a dark red tie. It was tame, but it was safer than anything Dr. Brackett could wear. Roy looked around and took in the scene, wondering why he didn't know it was Dr. Early's birthday and this was his party. Such skimpiness on information led to disasters!

"You, uh, ya didn't tell us this was Dr. Early's party," Johnny pointed out.

Dr. Brackett raised his eyebrows in that funny way that only he can manage.

"Well, you see I haven't forgotten how Dixie's last surprise party went. She was on to you guys the second you started preparing. The way I figured it, if I told you two, Dr. Early would know right away what we were planning."

Johnny looked mildly offended. "Well that's different," he argued, "Dixie's a woman! Women always know!"

Dr. Brackett snorted in amusement. "'Sides, Joe hasn't had a real party in who knows how long. I want him to have a little fun and loosen up. He's been working a lot harder than usual lately."

Dr. Morton nodded in agreement. "We asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said nothing. Well, we're giving him nothing. Just a birthday bash."

A blonde-haired nurse ran up to Dixie and whispered something to her. Dixie nodded and then looked at Dr. Brackett.

"Kel, Debra says that Joe just pulled up," she informed him. Dr. Brackett stood alert.

"I'll go greet him. You guys get into position," he ordered. A hush washed over the crowd as everyone crouched down behind the nicely set tables. Dixie turned the music off and lowered the lights. Johnny and Roy crouched down as well, Johnny feeling very exuberant now. He hadn't surprised anybody like this since when he turned the lights off in the station bathroom while Chet had been using it. A rectangle of light showered into the enormous room as Dr. Brackett opened the door.

"-And I want your opinion," Dr. Brackett finished his rant. The doctor flicked on the light and everyone jumped up in an effort to surprise Dr. Early.

"SURPRISE!" came the collective shout.

The white-haired doctor had no reaction until he read the "Happy Birthday Joe!" banner after which reading he burst out laughing. He hit Dr. Brackett in the stomach.

"You idiot!" he cackled, "I told you I didn't want anything for my birthday!"

Dr. Brackett held his stomach briefly and stood up straight.

"Correction: this isn't anything, this is a Party," he said with a grin.

Dr. Early shook his head, still smiling and walked into the room, greeted by the party-goers, all of whom he knew.

The party raged on all night; presents were given, music was played, cake was eaten, and drinks were passed out. Johnny had indulged in about ten cocktail drinks and was now more than a little tipsy.

After the drinks, speeches were given about Dear Old Dr. Early by everyone in the crowd. Johnny's speech was a little more scatterbrained than Roy's eulogistic rant, but was sure to be remembered by everyone who went home that night.

"-And then, when I heard the news….I thought I too was going to die. Luckily, he lived," Johnny trailed off, standing on one of the tables, holding a drink while giving a speech from the heart.

"Dr. Early is the bestest doctor I've ever known and is the nicest guy too. His profeffinshum-profhan-p….expertise and knowledge are a credit to doctors everywhere and he will always be in my heart as the white-haired guy who liked my cap'n's clam-chowder."

Everyone laughed, even Dr. Early, who could tell Johnny was stoned as heck.

When it was Dr. Brackett's turn, he, like everyone else, got up on a table and held a wine glass.

"Joe Early," he started, "I'm going to be the first to say that some days you're annoying as hell, but you're a damn good doctor and you've been a privilege to know. I've never worked with any doctor who has it together as well as you do, I hope you know that."

Everyone clapped and Dr. Early rolled his eyes, although he was grateful for the heartfelt praise.

Dr. Brackett took in a deep breath and paused, putting his wine glass down.

"And on a side note…" he said, "I feel since this is a get-together amongst friends, why not make an important announcement?"

Everyone went silent and all eyes were on Dr. Brackett. Roy was tense with suspense; he thought he knew what was coming.

"Dix, could you come forward?" he asked seriously. Dixie looked surprised and handed her drink to a fireman, walking up to Dr. Brackett with a smile on her face as though this was some sort of joke.

Dr. Brackett helped Dixie up onto the table he was standing on and grabbed her hand.

"Dixie," he started, his voice very level now, "I'm going to ask you a difficult question to answer, so answer me honestly."

Dixie stood still, her eyes wide and a delicate smile on her face. Dr. Brackett slowly pulled something out of his shirt pocket and got down on one knee. Dixie's eyebrows rose as she saw what was coming.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" the doctor asked, showing a ring and asking earnestly. Dixie gasped.

"Kelly!" she said loudly. She could barely contain her little-girl-like excitement as she hugged Dr. Brackett. He stood up straight and embraced her.

"Is that a yes?" he asked with a chuckle.

Dixie nodded, wiping a tear away. Everyone in the room cheered loudly while Johnny and Roy stood dumbfounded. The cheers grew louder when Dr. Brackett grabbed Dixie's face and gave her a gentle kiss.

"Screw you, Kel!" Joe shouted, laughing, "She was mine I tell ya!"

Johnny rubbed his red eyes and looked at Roy.

"Did they kiss?" he asked drunkenly. Roy snickered. "Yes Johnny," he assured his friend, "They kissed."

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The next shift was eager to hear the details about the party. Chet was more interested about the nurses that had attended, but the Cap wanted to hear it "for what it was".

"I think we were all expecting it," Captain Stanley said gruffly, "None of us knew when it was going to happen, was all."

Johnny shook his head and snorted. "I can't remember a blessed thing," he mumbled.

Roy raised his eyebrows. "I have to admit, I was a little shocked. But I can safely say that neither Dixie nor Brackett were drunk. I sure hope Early wasn't offended by his party turning into an engagement announcement."

Chet walked up behind Johnny and shook his shoulder.

"You mean you can't remember anything? Not even what the nurses were wearing?" he harassed his coworker.

Johnny shook his head and plopped his hands on the kitchen table.

"Not a thing," he said bluntly. Chet cringed and stood up. "You promised me a play-by-play and all I'm getting is Roy's fairytale recapping of another reality!"

Johnny grew frustrated and looked up at his annoying coworker.

"Chet," he snapped, "Even if I could remember, I wouldn't tell ya. Those are the things you keep in your own mind, not for sharing."

Chet scoffed and walked out of the room. After he left, Marco walked in with the Fireman's Manual. He made sure Chet was still within earshot when he flicked the book open.

"Hey guys," Marco said loudly, "I figured out what the name 'Chet' means in the Name Dictionary!"

Johnny grinned. "Oh yeah?" he said out loud, "What does it mean?"

Marco continued and pretended he was actually reading an excerpt from the non-existent Name Dictionary. "It means dirty and disrespectful! A general creep!"

Chet raced into the kitchen and attacked Marco. Marco raced out into the garage, protecting himself with his manual and trying to fend off Chet.

"It was a joke, bro!" he kept repeating while Chet whacked him.

Roy shook his head and gave Johnny and disapproving look. Johnny shrugged and continued grinning. Suddenly, the phone rang. Captain Stanley got up and answered it. "Station fifty-one, Captain Stanley speaking," he said.

His brow furrowed as he listened. "I see," he muttered. "No kidding? Okay. I'll tell them. I'm sorry about that. Okay, bye."

Johnny and Roy rolled their eyes. The Cap had a way of keeping them all in suspense.

"Who was that?" Roy asked. Captain Stanley put his hands on his hips.

"Dr. Brackett. He was calling from police headquarters downtown. He's been arrested."