NOTE: Another oldie from the Emergency! Station days. Thanks again, Redgirl for the home for this lil’ ol’ orphan!

Kelly’s Rhapsody

By: Cheryl

If you haven’t heard it, you may want to listen to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen before you read this!!

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Johnny wrinkled his brow in curiosity as he approached Chet’s car. They all knew Chet’s musical taste was heavy metal, but what came from the car sounded like an opera. Is that German? Johnny asked himself as he walked closer. Johnny peeked around from behind the beat up vehicle, and was rewarded by the sight of Chet lip-synching as he worked under the hood. His body was gyrating to the beat of the music as he fiddled around with the engine.

Chet’s face took on a dramatic look as he mimicked a deep melodramatic phrase. Ich miel nach no! We will not let him go! LET HIM GO! Chet’s head went straight up to mimic the high exclamation.

Johnny dropped his head in an effort not to laugh out loud and give himself away. There was no chance of that, however, as Chet was so preoccupied with the song that he didn’t realize he had an audience. Gage watched this go on and on as Chet imitated the rocker’s ballad.

…For meee…for meee… FOR MEEEEE! The back of Chet’s head went straight up, chin down, as Chet belted the highest note.

Johnny winced as Chet’s sharp note pierced his eardrums.

Suddenly the music changed and the opera was replaced with a heavy guitar solo. Kelly’s head shook violently as he imitated the classic head-banger stance. As his head came back on a particularly intense note, it hit the hood latch with a resounding “thud”. Chet’s eyes crossed and he crumpled to the ground.

Johnny’s smile faded as he watched Kelly collapse. “Chet!” he yelled as he rushed around the car. Johnny glanced over at the apparatus bay and saw Marco by the engine. “Marco!” he shouted, as he knelt by Chet. “Get Roy and our equipment!”

Marco’s jaw dropped at the sight of Chet’s supine form. Without a word, he turned and rushed off.

Johnny looked down at Kelly. “Chet?” he inquired, “Chet, can you hear me?”

Chet’s eyes twitched and a groan escaped his lips. “Uhnn…What happened?”

Johnny cracked a smile as he reached for a pulse. “You got carried away by your music.”

Chet’s eyes were blank for a moment then recollection hit him. He let another groan as Roy and the rest of the guys trotted up.

“What the heck happened here?” Captain Stanley exclaimed as he surveyed the scene.

Mike stopped beside the Cap. “Chet, you finally ticked Gage off enough that he belted you, right?”

Chet shot a glare at Mike. “Very funny Mike.”

Johnny chuckled as he reached for his penlight. “Chester B. has a great appreciation for music. Don’t cha Chet?”

“Gage!” Chet warned, but Johnny would not be deterred. He flashed the light in Chet’s eyes, and was satisfied with what he saw.

“Maybe you should try out for Star Search, Chet.”

“GAGE!” Chet exclaimed as he swatted away the penlight.

Roy deflated the bp cuff as Johnny looked over at him. “Equal and reactive. Pulse is 75, respirations are 15.”

Roy nodded, “bp is 118 over 76.”

Johnny looked at Chet. “How do you feel Chet?”

Kelly glared at Gage. “Fine. Are you done playing doctor or do I have to lay here for a while?”

Cap stepped forward, his shadow blanketing Chet. “Kelly, be serious. Are you sure you’re ok?” Cap asked.

“Sure, Cap. Now, someone help me up!”

Johnny and Roy each took an arm and slowly helped Chet to a sitting position.

“How do you feel now, Chet?” Johnny asked as he stared closely at the firefighter.

Kelly jerked his arm out of Gage’s grip. “I’m fine Gage, just leave me alone!”

“I don’t know about that, Chet.” Marco piped in as he pointed at the pavement where Chet had been laying. Everyone’s eyes followed his finger to a red spot on the concrete.

Johnny cocked his head and regarded the back of Chet’s skull.

Chet’s hand flew to the back of his head as he too saw the blood on the ground. “Oh man!” he exclaimed as his hand smacked Gage across the nose.

“Ow! Chet, watch it!” Johnny cried out as he rubbed his nose.

“Sorry,” Chet said a look of concern on his face. “How bad is it?”

“Well,” Johnny replied, “My nose is tingling a little….”

“GAGE!” Chet yelled balling up his fist, “Your nose is going to tingle a lot if you don’t get serious!”

Johnny just smiled as he looked closely at the wound. “We might have to amputate, Chet, I’m sorry.”

Chet rolled his eyes. “I should have hit you harder.”

Johnny glanced up at Captain Stanley. “I think he’ll need some stitches. Roy and I’ll take him into Rampart in the squad.”

Stanley nodded and sighed. “Ok, I’ll call it in.”

Roy, who had been silently observing the verbal exchange just chuckled to himself as he grabbed a couple of 4X4’s. The complexities of the love hate relationship between Chet and Johnny never ceased to amaze him. For two people whom deep down cared a lot for each other; they sure did a lot of arguing. Although, considering both of their somewhat warped personalities, it did seem to be a logical way for them to relate. Logical. Roy thought with amusement. That’s the last word I would use to describe either one of them.

Carefully, Roy and Johnny wrapped up Chet’s head and helped him to his feet. As they escorted him through the apparatus bay, Cap stepped out from in front of the squad. He looked at Chet, his face a cross of disapproval and amusement.

“I’d like to know exactly what happened, Kelly.” Hank said as he placed his hands on his hips.

Chet looked down at his feet, his face turning ten shades of red. “Ahh…well…I, uh...”

Johnny abruptly cut in. “Cap, near as I can tell, Chet just lifted his head too far up and hit the hood latch. I guess he hit it just right and it knocked him out.”

Chet looked at Johnny like he had just grown a third eye. Gage had seen the whole thing. How could Johnny pass up this opportunity to “get” him? Chet’s eyes narrowed. Unless…nah, blackmail isn’t his style. Too subtle. On the other hand…what are you up to Gage?

A smiling Johnny watched the different expressions drift across Chet’s face. My turn to mess with your head, Chet.

Roy, knowing there was more to this than meets the eye, just rolled his eyes and shook his head. If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never understand those two.

Captain Stanley squinted in suspicion at Gage and Kelly. “Are you two sure that’s the whole story?”

Chet, still stunned, said nothing, but Johnny flashed a toothy smile at Hank. “Yeah, Cap, that’s all that happened.”

Hank gave Gage his best ‘You’re not pulling the wool over my eyes’ look and walked back to his office without another glance.

Chet looked at Johnny suspiciously. “What are you up to, Gage?”

Johnny just smiled back. “Come on, Chet, let’s get you to Rampart.” Johnny walked over to the passenger door of the squad and turned back, waiting for Chet.

Chet looked at Roy. “Roy, what’s…”

Roy shook his head, chuckling. “Don’t ask me. I don’t want any part of this. I just drive the squad.”

Chet glared at Johnny warily as he climbed into the squad. “Gage, what are you up to?” he asked again.

Johnny’s eyes widened innocently. “Up to? Me? Jeez, Chet, you’re so paranoid.” A mischievous smile crept onto Johnny’s face as he looked back out the passenger’s window. “You sure will look cute with a shaved patch on the back of your head.”

“GAGE!”

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As a huge Queen fan, I couldn’t resist!

~Cheryl~