Johnny's Christmas Wish

By Linda "Tigger" Joiner

“See you at Rampart,” Johnny told his partner as they loaded a patient into the ambulance. He closed the doors and gave them two taps before watching it drive away.

Johnny rubbed his eyes wearily as he made his way to the squad. He checked his watch. 2 AM. I hate working Christmas eve... you’d think it'd be a slow night... poor old lady... that poor family... probably gonna lose their grandma at Christmas... but to say a reindeer did it? Wonder what they spiked their egg nog with... ?

He climbed into the squad, stopping to yawn and stretch before starting the engine. I sure do wish I get to sleep the rest of the night...

He drove past houses all brightly lit with Christmas colors. One had a Santa Claus standing next to a lit plastic nativity set, another had plastic snowmen in the yard with every window of the house outlined with a ring of lights. Wow, this neighborhood is really into this... geez, that guy must have a huge light bill! Driving past a spectacularly lit home, his gaze remained on the house and not on the road.

THUMP.

Johnny’s head hit the windshield. He leaned back and rubbed his sore head, looking at the cracked glass. Shit! What did I run over? It must've been something pretty big. I hope it wasn't...a jogger. He got out the squad slowly, a sinking feeling feeling in the pit of his stomach. Walking to the front of the rescue vehicle, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

A deer? In the middle of a crowded, well lit subdivision?

Before he had time to ponder the situation any further, a stout old man in a red and white leisure suit approached him.

“Oh my! Comet!” the man cried. Then turning his attentions to Johnny, he spoke again. “You there! Is there medical equipment on this truck?”

Johnny looked up, startled. “Well, uh, yeah...”

“Quickly then, get it, and help Comet!”the man demanded. What a night this is turning out to be... first little Timmy's grandma and now THIS!

“Um, what?” Johnny asked.

“You ran over Comet! He’s injured, can’t you see that? Get your equipment and help him!”

“Well, um, everything on the truck is designed for people, not animals,” Johnny shook his head. “You need to get him to a vet.”

“A vet? That’s not possible. I have a deadline! You’ll have to help me get Comet back to the North Pole. He can be treated there and I can get a replacement.”

Oh lordy... got myself a real nutcase here... wonder if he’s related to that poor kid's grandma... He rubbed his sore head, feeling a goose egg. What a lump! “Um, listen, mister... why don’t I go and put a call in and see where the nearest vet is. I’ll help you load him into your car.”

“That’s not necessary, young man. Just give me a hand and we’ll get him on the sleigh. It's right over there." The old gentleman pointed to a giant wooden sleigh trimmed in red velvet. Gaily wrapped packages tumbled out of giant bags stacked in the back. Seven other deer stood patiently in front. Their leader stared doe-eyed at the baffled paramedic.

"What were you thinking?" he continued. "Driving one way and looking another? I can’t even do that, and I can do just about anything!”

“Look, mister...”

“Claus.”

“Huh?”

The man smirked. “As in SANTA CLAUS. St. Nick, ho ho ho and all that stuff.”

“And this is Comet...” Johnny mused as he looked at the fallen deer.

“Yes.” Santa bent down and examined the animal more closely. “His leg is broken. Certainly you have a splint on that truck that would fit. Then we can transport him back to the North Pole a little more safely.”

“We?” This guy is nuts!

“Yes. WE. And if you’re a good boy you’ll get your Christmas wish.”

Johnny smiled in bewilderment, uncertain as to how to proceed.

“The splint,” Santa reminded.

Johnny nodded and got a splint from the squad. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to humor the guy... He knelt down to the injured animal and applied the splint to his leg. “How’s that, Comet?” I can’t believe I am treating a deer... I can’t believe I’m talking to a deer... I’ve only eaten them. Hmm, mom made great venison steaks.

“Okay, Johnny, help me lift him into the sleigh.”

“The sleigh?” How did he know my name?

“Yes, son. Haven't we gone over this already?”

Johnny gulped, almost frightened that it must be him that was insane, and not the old man.

“Well don't just stand there gawking, boy. Help me lift him.”

Johnny nodded obediently and lifted the deer into the sleigh. “Well, uh, good luck, Santa. Sorry if I caused you any delay.” I can’t believe I said that!

“Not that fast, boy. You’ll have to ride with us. Comet will need someone to watch him during the trip. I promise to get you back before anyone notices you’re gone!”

“I can’t do that, Santa. I’m working. My partner is expecting me at the hospital.” Johnny began to backpedal to the squad.

“I’m afraid you haven’t got a choice in the matter. This is no ordinary deer you’ve run over with your truck. Comet is a reindeer! And not just ANY reindeer! He's not the type your mama used to make when you were a kid! He's an original, magical, mystical member of the Kris Kringle toboggan team! Come sit beside him and keep him warm until we get to the North Pole. The Elf doctor will patch him up good as new!”

Johnny felt himself being led to the large sleigh. He climbed inside and sat tiredly next to Comet. His head was beginning to throb. He suddenly felt the sleigh moving, and within a few seconds they were traveling at a speed he’d never experienced before.

He struggled to stay awake for fear of finding this all to be one strange dream, but weariness overcame him and he felt his eyes close.

A sudden jerk bolted him awake. He moved stiffly, making a face when he saw what he’d been sleeping against. “Well, Comet, don’t suppose you’ve had a bath in a while, huh?”

“We’re here!” Santa said. “Let’s get Comet out and bring him to the main facility. How’s he doing?”

“Oh, he seems just fine.” Johnny hopped down from the sleigh and took a look around at the vast whiteness. He shivered. “Um... just where are we? This is SNOW!” he exclaimed as he rubbed his arms and blew warm air into his hands.

“Of course it’s snow. What else would you expect to find in the North Pole?”

“N--North Pole?”

“Blasted, boy, where’d ya think we were going? Hawaii?” Santa shook his head. They grow up hearing these stories all their lives and still don’t believe...

Johnny watched intently as Santa pulled a strange remote control device from his pocket and keyed in some numbers. A few feet away, the snow began to move. A glass gazebo suddenly appeared from nothingness.

Johnny’s mouth gapped open. “What’s that?” he squeaked.

“What does it look like, boy? Why, anyone can see that’s an elevator. Come on now, it won’t be much longer and I’ll send you back on your way.” Phew, Hank Stanley is right, he can be a twit sometimes. Santa shook his head. I’ll have to remember to add something extra to Hank’s stocking this year. He still believes in me.

Johnny and Santa carried Comet into the octagonal glass elevator. The door closed and it began moving down. The sky disappeared and Johnny could see nothing but white. We’re going under ground.... under all the snow...

The doors opened, and Johnny found himself looking into the largest room he’d ever seen. It was the size of a football field, decorated simply but elegantly, with plain white walls, white ceiling, and a white floor. Johnny saw no doors or windows.

“Let’s get him out,” Santa ordered.

Johnny obediently assisted carrying the wounded animal into the large room. They put him down on a rug nearby. Santa pulled his remote out once again and keyed in some numbers. Suddenly, the rug, with Comet on it, began to lower into the floor. Johnny peered curiously at the sight.

“He’s on his way to the infirmary,” Santa assured Johnny. “He’ll be well taken care of.”

Hearing a humming noise, Johnny looked up. An area on the wall to his left suddenly opened up. Several reindeer were being led by tiny people with pointed ears. Elves?

One of the elves spoke to Santa in a language Johnny did not understand. Santa laughed and looked at Johnny. “He told me not to park the sleigh in the streets of LA anymore... it’s getting too dangerous.”

“He’s right about that,” Johnny agreed.

Santa ran an experienced eye on the animals, stopping at a muscular young buck. “Who is this young buck?” he asked the elf who had spoken earlier.

The elf answered briefly.

“Sonic, eh? Comet’s son?” Santa asked.

The elf nodded.

“Don’t worry, Sonic, you’re father is in good hands. Do you think you’re ready to fill in for him tonight?”

Johnny wasn’t certain, but he could have sworn he saw the reindeer nod his head. He watched in awe as Santa took the reins from the elf. The rest of the group led the remaining reindeer back through their entrance. I don’t believe this.

“Back to the elevator, John,” Santa said with a smile. “Don’t worry, son. This is all very real, I assure you. We’ll get Sonic hitched to the sleigh and we’ll be back in LA in no time!”

Johnny smiled crookedly and followed the jovial man into the elevator.

“I’ll need you to help me when we get back outside. Do remember what I said earlier? About helping me?”

Johnny shrugged. “I’d get my Christmas wish?”

Santa smiled. “That’s right! And you’ve been a marvelous sport! You’ll get your wish.”

“But I haven’t told you what I want,” Johnny answered. “I don’t even know what I want...”

“Not to worry, my boy. Santa knows everything,” he said with a wink.

Johnny helped hitch Sonic to the sleigh and once again climbed in... this time minus Comet. Once they were underway, his eyes closed as he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * * * *

“Roy? What are you still doing here?” Dixie McCall asked.

“I’m waiting for Johnny. He should have been here half an hour ago,” Roy answered, obviously worried. “I tried to contact the squad and he doesn’t answer. I think I'd better contact dispatch."

Dixie nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”

Roy picked up the handi-talkie. “LA, this is HT-51. What is the ETA for Squad 51 to Rampart?”

“Stand by, HT 51.”

Roy tapped his fingers nervously while Dixie looked on anxiously. Suddenly, the HT crackled to life.

“HT 51, LA.”

“HT 51.”

“Unable to contact Squad 51. Notifying Sheriff’s Department.”

“10-4, LA.”

Roy and Dixie exchanged a worried glance.

* * * * *

Vince Howard spotted the rescue squad immediately upon turning on the street where the vehicle was last reported. He pulled his squad car to a stop and hopped out, alarmed at the sight before him.

He found the paramedic slumped over the steering wheel. “Johnny?” he called to the unconscious man. Getting no response, he reached through the window and checked for a pulse. Relieved at finding a steady, strong pulse, he went back to his vehicle and radioed for help.

Vince returned to the Johnny’s side, afraid to move him before medical help arrived. He could see that Johnny had hit something, but there was no other vehicle on the scene, and no apparent damage to the squad other than the windshield. He sighed with relief when Squad 16 arrived with the ambulance close behind.

Paramedic Craig Brice was the first to step out of the squad. He nodded to Vince. “What have we got, Officer Howard?”

“It’s John Gage,” Vince answered. “I found him like this about 10 minutes ago. He’s been unconscious the whole time.”

Brice gently eased Johnny’s head back and checked his pupils. “We need a c-collar and a back board,” he called to his partner.

* * * * *

Roy sat in the lounge watching the minutes tick by slowly. He startled slightly when his HT came to life once more.

“HT 51, LA.”

“HT 51.”

“HT 51, the squad has been located by the Sheriff’s Department. It has been involved in an accident and is out of service.”

“HT 51, 10-4.” Roy barely finished the response before he was out of the lounge and headed to the base station. He arrived just in time to hear Squad 16 hailing Rampart.

“Go ahead, 16,” Dixie answered.

“Rampart, we have a male paramedic involved in a motor vehicle accident. He’s unconscious. Vital signs are blood pressure 100 over 70, pulse 100, respiration 16. Pupils are equal and reactive.”

* * * * *

Bellingham set the biophone down and waited as Brice continued the exam on Johnny, who lay oblivious on the ground. “No fluid in the ears,” he reported. “No response to painful stimuli.”

Bellingham jerked his head up at this last finding. That’s not good... He found his voice shaking slightly as he gave Rampart the report.

“Squad 16, start an I.V., normal saline, T.K.O., administer 6 liters oxygen, immobilize the head and neck and transport.”

Bellingham repeated the instructions into the biophone. “10-4, Rampart.”

* * * * *

Roy set his empty coffee cup down and looked at his watch. It’s been an hour since they brought Johnny in... they must know something by now... He was just about to go search for one of the doctors when Dixie walked into the lounge.

“Have you heard anything?” Roy questioned.

“Not yet. They’re waiting on x-ray.”

“He’s still out?”

Dixie nodded sadly. “Now you know it could just be a concussion... he could come out of it at any time,” she tried to reassure.

* * * * *

In the treatment room, Dr. Brackett looked at the still form of his friend and sighed. “Come on, Johnny... it’s Christmas. You need to wake up,” he coaxed.

A nurse walked in with x-rays in hand, Dr. Early following right behind. The two doctors studied the x-rays intently.

“No sign of a fracture,” Dr. Early observed. “He’s still not responding to stimuli?”

Kel shook his head and frowned, “No. I’m afraid it could be a subdural. Let’s get brain scan.

* * * * *

Another hour later, the two doctors entered the lounge. Roy was stretched out on the couch with his eyes closed. He heard movement in the room and bolted upright, making eye contact with the doctors.

“He’s still comatose,” Dr. Early supplied, knowing that was NOT what the younger man wanted to hear.

“All the tests were negative, Roy, so that’s good news, and his vitals are strong and steady.”

“So what now?” Roy asked.

“We wait. Hopefully he’ll start showing some signs of improvement,” Dr. Brackett said.

“That’s all? We just wait and hope he wakes up on his own?” Roy’s frustration was obvious.

“Look, Roy," Dr. Early said, "why don’t you go home and get some sleep. I’m sure you'll want to be home in the morning with your family. We’ll call you if there’s any change.”

Roy shook his head. “I’ll stay a few more hours. They’re not expecting me until the morning, and I don’t want to worry them about Johnny. At least not yet.” Roy rubbed his eyes wearily. “Can I see him?”

“Sure,” Dr. Early said. “I’ll walk with you.”

"I'm gonna call the guys first. I'm sure they're pretty worried..."

* * * * *

To Roy, Johnny appeared to be simply sleeping. Johnny was complaining when we got that last run about not getting to sleep tonight... “Well, you’re getting plenty of sleep now, partner.” He slid into the chair beside Johnny’s bed and closed his eyes, drifting off into a troubled sleep.

* * * * *

“Roy?”

Roy heard his name as if in a dream. He slowly began to wake up, cringing at the crick in his neck from sleeping upright.

“Roy?”

Roy blinked and looked in the direction of the sound.

“Johnny! You’re awake!”

“Where’s the old man?” Johnny asked sleepily.

“What old man?” Roy asked as he pressed the nurses call button.

“He said his name was Santa Claus, but I think he was pulling my leg,” Johnny answered. “But wait a minute...” Johnny looked troubled.

His breathing quickened as he remembered what had happened the night before. “What happened to Comet?” he asked a bewildered Roy.

Before Roy could question him, the nurse entered. “Oh, he’s awake! That’s great news!” she said, smiling gently at Roy. “How are you feeling?” she asked Johnny as she began to get a set of vitals.

“I feel fine,” Johnny answered. “As a matter-of-fact, I feel great! I feel like I’ve slept for days!”

“Well you didn’t sleep for days, thank goodness, but you were out for about 8 hours. You had us a little worried,” Roy said.

“Wow, 8 hours straight sleep on Christmas eve... just what I wanted. I wonder if that was the gift Santa said I’d get.”

Roy looked at his partner with concern. He’s disoriented... I wonder if they missed something in the tests...

Johnny saw the look on Roy’s face. “Roy, that’s what I was trying to tell ya... there was this old man... and a reindeer. That’s what I hit! The reindeer that is, not the old man... but the man wanted me to help him with his reindeer. I told him to bring him to a vet but he wouldn’t hear of it.” Johnny stopped talking a moment and got a serious look on his face. “Roy... I went to the North Pole last night.”

Dr. Brackett walked in just in time to hear the last thing Johnny said. He threw a questioning look at Roy, who simply shrugged.

“Hey, Johnny,” the doctor said. “Welcome back! We were beginning to worry about you."

“Sorry about that, Doc.”

“Do you remember what happened?” Brackett questioned.

“Oh yeah, I remember everything,” Johnny explained. “I was just telling Roy all about it.”

“Yes. I heard you mention something about the North Pole?”

Johnny nodded, but didn’t say anything more. They’re looking at me like I’m nuts... “I ran over a reindeer and had to help bring him back to the North Pole.” That’s what happened... I remember it clearly...

He saw Roy and Dr. Brackett exchange looks. They think I'm delirious... better keep my mouth shut. “Some dream, huh?” he added.

Roy’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Yeah, that’s some dream,” he agreed.

A pretty young woman entered the room. “Sorry to interrupt,” the nurse said. “I’m getting off, and I heard Johnny was here. I wanted to see him for just a second.”

All three men looked at the woman curiously. “I’d be happy to spend New Year’s Eve with you, Johnny,” she said with a smile. She bent over and kissed him on his forehead, brushing the hair out of his eyes. “Call me.” She handed him a business card with her name and number on it.

Johnny eyed her shapely figure as she left the room. Santa really did know what I wanted...

* * * * *

Later that morning, the engine crew came to the hospital to visit Johnny. They were told he’d be going home later that day, but they had to see for themselves that he was all right.

“Hey, Pal, how ya doing?” Hank Stanley asked.

“I’m fine, Cap, just fine. Sorry about the squad.”

Stanley shook his head. “Don’t worry about that, John. “The windshield is the only thing that has to be repaired. There wasn’t any other damage.”

Roy looked at Hank. “But, Cap, he had to have hit something pretty hard to spider the windshield. Wasn't there any damage to the front of the squad?”

Stanley shook his head. “Nope... but they did find this wedged in the front grill.” He held up a silver sleigh bell.

A huge grin formed on Johnny’s face as he hunkered down into the covers.

The End

Author's Note: I'd like to thank Pat for beta reading and for all the wonderful suggestions... AND for naming this puppy! I'd also like to thank MJ for the fun challenge!