No Charge for Upgrades
By Linda Reiche

Johnny stared at the two new lives he had just helped into the world. Two lives that he was now responsible for.

Shauna was checking them over very carefully. Johnny could see she was just as surprised as he was. She gave him a long, silent look before turning her attention back to her babies.

"What are we going to do? One would have turned our lives upside-down. Two are.. are.. ! Oh man!". Johnny groaned as he sank bonelessly to floor.

4 months earlier

"Pregnant!" shouted Johnny into the phone.

All activity in the Dayroom stopped as three heads turned to stare at the overwrought paramedic.

Johnny's eyes were wide open, staring at the receiver he held in his hand. "How the hell did she get pregnant?"

Marco and Chet exchanged looks as Johnny paced the few steps the cord allowed.

Mike leaned back against the counter and silently shook his head. Sounds like Johnny's got himself over his head this time. He caught the speculative glint in Chet's eyes. The Phantom looks like he's going to go all out on this one. Johnny's life is going to be miserable. Soothers on his pillow, baby booties in his locker. Wonder who the girl is.

"Okay, thanks, Doc." said Johnny before hanging up the phone. He stood for a moment staring at the wall one hand still resting on the receiver.

"Johnny, Johnny, Johnny," started Chet. "Surely you know about the facts of life? Didn't they teach you about that stuff in the paramedics program?"

Johnny slowly turned and glowered at Chet. He was about to reply when Roy and Cap walked in.

"Where's lunch?" queried Cap. He looked at the younger members of his crew. Johnny seemed to be the center of their attention. 'Oh, no, what has John done now?"

Roy also took in the scene. "What's up guys?"

"Oh, nothing much," chirped Chet. "Johnny here's going to be a daddy. And he doesn't know how!"

"Chet - !" yelled Johnny.

"You're kidding, right Chet?" Cap glanced at Marco and Mike who just shrugged.

An aggrieved Johnny burst out, "As usual, Chet doesn't know what he's talking about." He placed his right hand on his chest. "I'm not going to be a daddy..." Then he paused, his eyebrows furrowing in sudden concentration. "Well, not really..."

Cap raised his eyebrow and stared at Johnny.

Roy, puzzled, asked, "What do you mean 'not really'?"

"Yeah," seconded Marco. "Either you are or you're not."

Johnny huffed. "I'm not going to be a daddy." He shot a murderous look at Chet. "And yes, Chet, I know the facts of life. It's Shauna, my mare. She's in foal."

"Ah, the light dawns," muttered Cap, relieved that John was still childless. He didn't want to imagine what it would be like having a junior Gage to deal with. This one was a handful all by himself.

"I didn't think you were going to breed her this year." commented Roy.

"I wasn't. Maybe in a couple of years, when I found the right stallion. But not this year."

"Well," said Chet, balancing plates in his hands. "She seems to have found her own mate without your help." He couldn't resist adding, "Probably a good move considering your track record with finding girl friends."

Johnny clenched his jaw and took a step toward Chet. "One of these days Chet..."

"Calm down John," ordered the Cap firmly. "Chet, those plates will be more useful on the table, don't you think?"

Roy and Mike had pulled Johnny away from the table, and Chet, trying to calm him down.

"The kids are going to go wild over this," said Roy.

"Does it really matter if it's now instead of later?" asked Mike. Horses were not part of his vast store of knowledge. At least not yet.

"It's not the timing that's the problem," answered Johnny. "Shauna is a registered Quarter Horse. Since I don't know who the sire is, I won't be able to register the foal."

Cap had walked over to join them. "Are there any stallions near your farm that could have gotten loose?"

Johnny shook his head. "Nope. Just geldings and mares - no stallions."

"How about the last rodeo you were in?" asked Mike.

Another shake. "No. Believe me, with all the people at a rodeo, a loose horse wouldn't get far."

Shauna nuzzled her foals, urging them to stand.

Johnny carefully moved forward, reaching out to stroke Shauna's sweaty flank. "So, Shauna. I at least know what the sire was. But I'll be damned if I know where he came from. I know one thing for sure though, there is no way that I'm going to be registering either of these two." He shook his head slightly, "What am I going to do? How in the world do I raise..."

With a scatter of straw, the colt finally made it to his feet. The black wings that had been folded along his equally black sides fluttered slightly as he struggled to control four long unsteady legs.

His little sister was still lying in the straw, gathering strength. If she wasn't up in a few minutes, Johnny would have to step in and help. Both of them had to start nursing fairly close together, otherwise Shauna might reject the latecomer. Midnight bottle feedings were the last thing he wanted to do.

Although explaining the winged foals to the vet, and everyone else ran a close second. They would think he was crazy.

Roy had just put on his uniform shirt when he heard the locker room door swing open. Glancing over he was surprised to see Johnny darting nervous glances around the room. It wasn't the way Johnny was acting that surprised him, after all, as the favourite target of the Phantom, it made sense to be cautious once in awhile. What surprised him was that Johnny was early. It was 07:45. Usually Johnny arrived in a flurry of arms and legs at 07:55. When he wasn't running late. Roy was always amazed at how quickly Johnny managed to change into his uniform.

"Morning, Johnny," greeted Roy as he began buttoning up his shirt.

Something was wrong. Johnny hadn't said a word, and now he was standing beside him, looking like he desperately wanted to say something but couldn't.

Roy turned to face him. "Johnny? What's wrong? Did something happen to Shauna?" He saw Johnny gulp, indecision written on his face.

Concerned, Roy grabbed Johnny's arm and made him sit down on the bench.

"Johnny. Shauna didn't loose her foal, did she?"

Roy held his breath until Johnny shook his head. "Then what's wrong?"

Johnny looked at Roy. "Shauna foaled night before last." He paused, "Twins."

"Hey that's great! Twins! Why didn't you call me? The kids are dying to see a baby horse." Roy stopped taking in the despair in Johnny's eyes. "Okay, what aren't you telling me?"

Johnny slumped forward, resting his head in his hands. "They've got wings".

Roy could barely hear him. "Did you say 'wings'?"

Raising his head, Johnny nodded. "Yeah. Wings."

"That's what I thought you said." Roy peered past Johnny, hoping to spot Chet lurking somewhere. "This is some sort of practical joke to get back at the Phantom, right?

"No. I sort of wish it was. Shauna's two foals are absolutely perfect.... except for their wings." Johnny gazed at Roy, his face mirroring the uncertainty in his voice. "Roy. I know how to take care of a normal horse, but how do I take care of... how do I train..." his voice trailed off.

There it was. The heart of the problem. Once in a while, something would break through that carefree, confident shell Johnny had built. Roy had seen the same thing happen when Johnny's friend Drew died. Johnny hadn't known how to deal with that. Just as he didn't know how to deal with this situation. At least the cause this time was insecurity, not sorrow.

"How do you train Pegasus? Or, since you've got two, I guess it's Pegasi." Roy supplied. Hoping to snap him out of his despair, he continued. "The winged horse of myths.... Let's see if I can remember...Jennifer was telling me something about him. Oh, yah, he was ridden by Zeus when he was out throwing those thunderbolts around. She told me that the sound of thunder is really the sound of his hooves galloping across the sky."

Johnny looked up, interested. "Yah. Hmm. I guess that's what they are. Pegasi. Winged horses."

Roy caught that tiny hint of returning confidence in Johnny's voice. "Hey. You grew up around horses. You raised and trained Shauna. You know a lot about horses. Just think of them as horses with ... upgrades."

Johnny was starting to nod his head in agreement. The future wasn't looking that impossible any more.

Roy pressed his point. "Somewhere out there is another pegasus who has been doing very well all on his own. Your foals aren't alone. They've got you to help them. And what you don't know, I'm sure you'll figure out."

"Yah," Johnny's face was lighting up. "I can teach them the normal ground stuff. That shouldn't be a problem. They're only two days old and they're already investigating everything. The aerial stuff, well, we'll just have to figure that out together. Man! What a blast it would be to fly through the air on their backs!"

Energized, Johnny stood up and pulled open his locker with one hand while managing to get halfway out of his sweatshirt with the other hand. "Hey, thanks Roy. I was a little..." he stopped , not knowing how to explain.

"Overwhelmed?" Roy guessed.

Johnny nodded gratefully. "Yah. Overwhelmed is a good way to describe it!"

Smiling Roy said, "No problem. That's what partners are for."

So that's how he does it, thought Roy as he watched Johnny seem to both take off his jeans and put on his uniform pants all at the same time.

Roy waited until Johnny was attaching his badge before venturing a question. He hoped that it wouldn't send him back into despair. "Johnny... What are you going to tell the guys if they ask?"

Johnny grinned, not the slightest bit uncertain anymore. "I'll tell them the truth. Shawna had two beautiful foals. Mother, son and daughter are all healthy and doing well."

"And?" Roy prompted.

"And what? They'll see... how did you put it? Oh, yah. The upgrades the next time they come out to my place for a visit. It will be fun watching their faces. Especially Chet's. " If anything, Johnny's grin got wider. "Yeah, especially Chet's."

Roy sighed. No matter how long he worked with Johnny, he would never really figure him out. He had hoped to pull him out of his despair and build up his confidence. He had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. In 5 minutes Johnny had gone from utter despair to euphoria at the challenge.

' I don't know if I want to be around when he starts riding them in two or three years, ' thought Roy with a shudder. Falling from a horse in the air is definitely going to hurt more than falling from a horse on the ground. That hurt enough.

The diagram on the blackboard disappeared. In its place were blue sky and the smell of grass and dust. The sun was warm on his back. A bird hopped in the puddle by the trough, flicking its wings. He tossed his head, pawed the ground, then dropped on to his front knees before flopping onto his flank. With a wiggle he threw his legs into the air. Oh, the sand feels so good on that itch.

Cap stopped mid-drawing. Five pairs of eyes widened and stared. A long moment later the silence was filled as voices overran each other.

"John, what in the world are you doing?"

"Johnny, what's wrong?"

"Gage, have you lost your mind?"

"What's wrong with him?"

Johnny stopped wriggling on the floor. His face flushed red as he rolled onto his knees and stood up. "Uh...I....uh...I thought...I thought I felt something run down my back," he stammered.

Cap raised an eyebrow and nailed Chet with a stare. "Chet, did you put something down John's back?"

"No way, Cap. I didn't touch him. Honest." Chet's eyes were wide with innocence.

"Hmph," said a disbelieving Cap. "Why don't you trade places with Mike?"

Chet's "Oh, Cap!" was cut short by a stern look. "But I didn't do anything," muttered Chet as he moved to Mike's chair.

"John, do you need to go change your shirt?" questioned Cap.

"Uh. No, Cap. Whatever it was is gone now."

"Well, next time how about doing something a little less dramatic than rolling around on your back on the floor, huh John?"

"Sorry. It was the first thing that popped into my mind." Johnny's colour was slowly fading.

Cap's "Bunch of twits" was barely audible as he turned back to the blackboard. "Okay then, back to the drill. As I was saying, with the new construction that they've done, the standpipe connector is now accessible only from the west."

With a great deal of effort Johnny forced his thoughts away from the image of rolling in the sand and how nice it had felt on his skin. He had to keep his mind on the drill. Besides, he could see Roy eyeing him. 'Great. He's going to start asking questions once we're done. And I don't know how I'm going to answer them.'

Ten minutes later the drill was done and Johnny was looking to escape.

A slither and rattle startled Shauna out of her doze.

Something was in here with her and her family.

A sudden flash of movement by the stall door sent her into defensive mode. Eyes wide, nostrils flaring she faced the intruder.

Shauna's snorting and stamping woke Teja and Liatt. Scrambling, they managed to get their long legs co-ordinated enough to stand. With little cries of distress they skittered around behind their mother, their wings fluttering nervously as they tried to hide, stay away from Shauna's hooves and peer at the intruder all at the same time. They looked like four-legged bumper cars bouncing off the walls and each other.

'We've got to run! Run!' cried Teja.

'We can't. Nowhere to go!' called Liatt.

'Stay back! Stay back!' trumpeted Shauna.

'Help, Johnny. Help us!' cried Teja and Liatt as Shauna's hooves flashed forward.

"Ugh!" screamed Johnny as the rattler's head snapped forward to strike.

He was surprised when he didn't feel the sting of the fangs sinking into his calf.

With that thought, his darkened bedroom sprang into focus.

"Jeez," breathed Johnny as his racing heart started to slow. "Just a nightmare." Swinging his legs around, he sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hands through his hair.

Cold dark eyes stared at him. A thin tongue flicked out. Rattles sounded their deadly warning. Then another lightning dart forward. Hooves flashed in the moonlight.

Before he could register 'hooves' in his mind, the panicked calls of Shauna and the Twins slipped in through the partially open window.

Without a second thought, Johnny was out of his room and out the back door.

The gravel jabbed at his bare feet as he raced to the barn. He could hear the Twins high pitched calls. In his mind he could see Shauna rearing and striking out with her front hooves. The rattler waving its head in anger.

The barn door was open, only the door-bar blocking entry. Instinctively he ducked under the door and flicked on the light switch. The electrical panel and its CO2 extinguisher were only a few steps to the right. He snatched the extinguisher up in his left hand. Turning, he headed for the triple sized stall, snagging the muck rake with his right as he past it.

Ten steps and he was at the stall door. He couldn't see the snake with his eyes, but he knew exactly where it was anyway. And how close Shauna was to it. He also knew how fast it could move.

Johnny set the extinguisher down and pulled the tab. He held the rake ready as his left hand reached for the door latch. With a jerk he pulled it open, then slashed forward with the rake, it's long thin tines catching on the rattler's coiled body.

The snake was heavy. Johnny could see how the tines bent as he dragged it into the aisle. He hoped that it would need a few seconds to untangle itself. He desperately needed those seconds.

He kept his eyes trained on the snake as it rapidly uncoiled. Blindly he reached back for the fire extinguisher. Almost immediately he touched the familiar shape of the handle. In one fluid motion, he swung it around, aimed the nozzle and squeezed the lever.

The snake's hissing was drowned out by the louder hiss of the discharging fire extinguisher. A cloud of cold white gas enveloped the snake.

The memory of his own near fatal encounter with a rattler spurred him on as he kept hold of the lever. There was no way that he wanted to go through that again.

With a gurgle, the stream of white fizzled out.

Johnny could see the frost-rimmed snake lying motionless as the cloud dissipated. It was dead. Frozen by the carbon dioxide.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Johnny turned to his next task - calming Shauna who was still stamping and pawing. Her ears were pinned back, eyes wide in terror. The sound of the extinguisher had fueled her fear.

Taking a deep breath to calm his own nerves, Johnny started soothing Shauna. "Ho-oh, Shau-na. Good Shau-na. Ho-oh, Shau-na." Johnny made sure that his voice pitched down at the end of each word. The way he said things was more important than the words right now. Down-pitches were training cues to slow down.

Walking very slowly, he moved to the stall door, focussing his eyes on Shauna's shoulder. He kept his hands low and hunched his shoulders over slightly. The goal was to be as non-threatening as possible. In her panic, Shauna might interpret a normal upright posture as an attacking predator. The last thing he wanted was an up close and personal look at her front hooves.

It was working.

Shauna's ears started to relax, flopping sideways as she listened to his voice. He risked a quick glance at the Twins.

Teja and Liatt were still bumping into each other, but the cries of terror had been replaced by soft whinnies. Still very dependent on their mother, the took their cues from her. Johnny grinned. They looked like puppies trying to crawl over each other.

Suddenly they stopped and gazed past him, ears forward.

"Damn," thought Johnny, switching his attention back to Shauna. Her ears were forward and alert as she stretched her neck toward him.

A deep snort behind him froze Johnny.

He slowly turned his head.

Two angry brown eyes challenged him. He heard another snort followed by a forefoot stamping0 on the concrete floor just outside the stall.

Johnny's eyes widened as he registered the powerful muscles on the 18 hand tall, jet black stallion. His wings were partially opened, helping him balance while he raised his forelegs off the ground, ready to strike at the creature that was endangering his children.

Johnny squinched his eyes closed, and threw himself to the side of the stall. Not that it would do him much good. There was only one way out - past the stallion. And he didn't look like he would listen to reason right now.

Straw poked his bare skin. He felt a rush of wind as something moved toward him. And past.

"Whoa," thought Johnny. He was once again dragging out the rattler, enveloping it in a cloud of white. The white faded to black. Then he was showing Teja a brush before gently moving it across her face. He could feel the bristles pull at her hair, lifting out the dirt and dead skin. "Where did that stuff come from?"

When he didn't feel 1200 pounds of horse pounding into his back, he cautiously opened his eyes. Shauna was nuzzling the stallion, nickering her welcome. The twins had moved up beside their mother, their high-pitched whinnies mingling with hers. Whatever they were saying was working. The stallion's wings folded back to his sides and his ears flicked lazily back and forth.

Teja and Liatt moved over and nuzzled Johnny's legs. Hoping he was doing the right thing, Johnny pulled his legs under him and slowly stood up against the side of the stall.

He shook his head in confusion as he saw himself feeding carrots to an obviously happy Shauna. Another muzzle came forward to investigate the orange thing. He recognized the smudge of white alongside one nostril. That had happened yesterday morning. Liatt had tried the carrot, picking it up and dropping it a few times before loosing interest. The Twins were already experimenting with grass and hay, imitating their mother. Soon they would be old enough to wean away from their mother's milk.

"Oh, man," said Johnny quietly as he realized where the images were coming from. The Twins were telling their sire about him. Somehow he was tuning in on it.

He thought back to the nightmare that had woken him up. It hadn't been a nightmare. It had been a call for help from the Twins. Apparently their daddy had heard it too. And had come to the rescue.

Taking a steadying breath, Johnny asked, "Hey big fella. It's a little crowded in here. How about I take your family out to the corral? You can visit with each other better."

Johnny was only slightly surprised when the stallion nodded and backed out of the doorway. 'Okay,' thought Johnny. 'It's impossible, but I can't deny that it's happening. Unless I'm still asleep and having one doozy of a dream.' He pinched himself. 'Nope. Not a dream.'

Still moving carefully, Johnny moved outside the stall and lifted Shauna's halter and lead from the peg on the door. She nuzzled his bare chest looking for treats as he slipped the halter on her muzzle and over her ears. He rubbed her neck. "Shauna, stop that. It tickles. I'll get you and your friend some carrots in a minute. First we're going out to the corral where you can have a nice reunion with your boy friend. Catch up on old times." As an afterthought, he added. "Oh. Try to keep the Twins from flying away with him. They are still nursing, remember?"

"Mornin', Gage!" called Chet.

When no reply sang out, Chet stopped buttoning his shirt. Turning around he watched Johnny open his locker and then - nothing. It was like a freeze frame in a movie. Johnny was standing motionless, staring at his uniforms.

'Damn,' he thought. 'Why didn't I set up a water bomb?' When Johnny continued to stay immobile, Chet's pigeon radar started to hum. Closing his locker, he walked over to his favourite target. 'Something's up'.

"Hey, Gage. Gage! Johnny!" Chet leaned forward, practically yelling in Johnny's ear.

Johnny's head snapped around. "What?" he yelped.

"I said, Morning Gage," replied Chet.

"Oh," John looked blankly at Chet. "Morning, Chet." He stepped back and sat on the bench in front of his locker.

"What's the matter, Gage? Girl problems again?"

The only reply he got was silence. Johnny had zoned out on him again.

"Earth to Gage. Come in Gage." Chet leaned over again, waving his hand in front of Johnny's face.

Johnny's eyes snapped into focus. "Have you seen Roy?"

Without waiting for a reply, he stood up and walked out of the locker room.

Chet paused, reached over to close Johnny's locker, then followed him into the vehicle bay. Something was definitely up. It was his duty as the Phantom to find out what. And take advantage of it, of course.

Johnny stepped into the Dayroom and spotted Roy pouring a cup of coffee. Without even a glance at the plate of donuts sitting enticingly on the table, he walked over to Roy and tugged at his arm.

"Roy, I've got to talk to you."

"Hold on a minute," said an exasperated Roy, barely managing to put his coffee on the counter without spilling it.

Johnny kept tugging, "Roy, I've got to talk to you."

Roy turned, "Okay, okay. What is it? I swear you're worse than my kids sometimes." He cocked his head slightly, taking in Johnny's sweatshirt and jeans. "Johnny, roll call is in 10 minutes, hadn't you better get changed?"

Johnny didn't seem to hear him as he started pulling him toward the door.

"Not here. Come on." He said insistently.

"Alright. Why don't we go to the locker room? You can talk while you're changing."

Chet hovered at the door, blocking their way. "Hey Gage! What's so important? You in trouble or something?"

Johnny stared at Chet. "None of your business, Chet. This is private. Now move."

Roy sighed. It was too early in the morning for this. "Chet. Please. Stay in here while I talk to Johnny. Okay?"

Eyes wide with feigned innocence, "Sure, Roy. I was just worried about Gage. He doesn't seem to be all here today." Silently he finished, 'but then he never is'.

Rolling his eyes, Roy said, "I'll take care of it. Now you stay here. Come on Johnny."

Roy followed Johnny into the locker room and watched with interest as Johnny peered around, making sure they were alone.

"Okay. So what's so important?"

"Roy. They talk." Johnny's voice was low and urgent.

"Who talks?"

"The Twins, Teja and Liatt. They talk."

"What do you mean 'talk'? Like you and I are doing now?" asked Roy patiently.

Johnny paced back and forth, body tense. "No." He stopped in front of Roy. "They talk in my mind."

'It's finally happened,' thought Roy. 'He's gone round the bend.'

Out loud he asked, "You hear voices in your head?"

"No. No. No." Johnny punctuated each word with a shake of his head. Raising his hands he said, "It's more like pictures. I see incredibly detailed pictures of what they're thinking." His hands fluttered in the air as he started pacing again. "You remember when I rolled around on the floor during Cap's drill?"

Roy smirked, "How could I forget? You insisted that it was a bug."

"Well it wasn't. I was listening to Cap, then all of a sudden I was out in the corral at home." He furrowed his brow in concentration. "That spot looked perfect for a roll. So I dropped to my front knees and rolled." He looked at Roy. "Roy, I've seen Liatt roll in exactly the same spot five times in the last eight days."

"But that doesn't mean - " started Roy.

"Wait. Wait. Hear me out." Johnny's voice was insistent, his hands once again emphasizing his words. "Last night a rattler got into their stall."

"A rattler!" interrupted Roy. "Are they okay?"

"Yah, Shauna kept it at bay until I got there."

"That's good," said a relieved Roy.

Johnny was shaking his head again. "Roy, you don't get it. I woke up because I saw the rattler strike out. I thought it was a dream. Then very clearly I saw Shauna rearing up in front of it. It was like watching a movie."

"And you think it was the Twins sending you something by..." Roy searched for the word. "By telepathy?"

Johnny stopped his agitated pacing to concentrate on Roy's words. "Yeah. Yeah! Telepathy! That's it!" He ran his hands through his dark hair. "It was unbelievable. I knew exactly where the snake was before I opened the stall door. Like I was seeing through their eyes."

"Do you see everything they see?" Roy was concerned. That would definitely cause problems.

"No. I think it's only when they are really excited about something and I'm relaxed or sleeping." He sank onto the bench and looked up at Roy leaning against the wall. "Man. The Twins are turning my life upside down. Wings and now telepathy. What next?"

Roy smiled. "You'll have to wait and see. But it looks like upgrades are not only free, they are like puzzle pieces that you have to put together."

Dust swirled up from the tires as the Squad and Engine made the turn into the trailhead parking lot. A young woman waved frantically from the edge of the trees.

She waited anxiously until they pulled up beside her before running forward to clutch at the squad door.

"Am I glad to see you guys! Hurry! It's my boy friend. He fell! I think he broke his arm and leg!" She spoke so quickly that the words tumbled over each other.

"Take it easy. Take it easy," soothed Johnny as he slowly opened the door, pushing her carefully back. "We're here to help. We've just got to get our equipment. Then you can take us to him. Okay?"

"Yes! Yes! Please hurry!" She shuffled her feet, ponytail flying as she darted anxious looks over her shoulder. Her hands seemed to have a life of their own, clutching each other, then Johnny's shirt, then her neck before repeating the cycle.

"How far up the trail is he?" asked Roy, peering over at her. He had already put the biophone on the ground and was reaching for the drug box. Johnny had just managed to reach the compartment where the splints were stored. The girl followed right behind him, hampering his movements.

The woman stopped for a moment, thinking. "Oh. He's about 200 yards up Tomahei Trail on the other side of the gorge."

Cap silently motioned Marco to get the stokes from the back of the squad. A broken leg meant that they'd have to carry him out. Roy stepped around Johnny and his newly acquired shadow to pull out the splints and blankets.

Cap glanced at Roy and Johnny, "Gorge?"

Momentarily distracted, she vigorously nodded her head, "Yeah. It's about 70 feet wide and maybe 100 feet deep. They've got this neat little aerial basket that you ride across on." She looked doubtfully at the group of men listening to her, "There's only enough room for two at a time though. Tony said -"

They never found out what Tony said. Having remembered that her friend was in trouble, she once again started clutching at Gage, repeating over and over that they had to hurry, hurry.

Johnny rolled his eyes in exasperation. He wasn't getting anything done. Catching one of the windmilling hands, he drew her away from the equipment that the guys were assembling.

"Great," muttered Cap. "Mike, Chet, we'll need two life-belts, three 100-foot coils and the pulleys. Better bring the line gun just in case."

It took only a matter of minutes before the stokes was loaded up with miscellaneous equipment - ropes, pulleys, splints and blankets. Chet and Marco took charge of it while Roy, Cap and Mike took the remaining equipment. By silent consent they had decided to let Johnny handle the girl.

Johnny noticed and glared at them. 'Sure, stick me with this.. this...' He couldn't even complete the thought as he tried to get her to listen and answer some questions. Getting a word in edgewise was tough, she was talking a mile a minute.

A few seconds later Johnny decided that walking with her was tougher. With her mind on her boy friend, she was in serious danger of injuring herself as she stumbled over leaves and twigs. With a resigned sigh, he reached over to guide her up the trail. One victim was enough.

Several minutes later they reached the clearing at the top of the trail. The trees had been cleared from the edge of the gorge and the cliff face that jutted above the trail. The aerial basket that the girl told them about hung beside a wooden platform attached to the cliff. Across the gorge they could see a similar arrangement.

The aerial basket was simple. A 5 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot high wooden basket was suspended by the corners to the axle of a large grooved wheel. One wire supported the bottom of the wheel, while another parallel wire ran along the top of the wheel to keep it upright and on track.. A rope connected to either side of the basket and going through pulleys on the gorge walls opposite, could be used to pull the basket back and forth across the gorge. The wheel rolling between the wires reduced the friction and the effort required to move the basket.

"Okay," directed Cap. "Roy, you and John go across to the other side and check on the hiker. We'll start rigging the lines for the stokes. It's not going to fit in that basket."

Roy looked at the basket. "We're not going to get all our gear and two people into that basket. I'll go across first, then Johnny can bring the rest of the gear."

Cap nodded. "We'll attach another line to the basket when John goes over. He can tie it off on that side when he has the chance. We'll pull it tight when he's ready."

Roy stepped carefully into the basket. It bobbed slightly on the wire, but seemed secure enough. With a nod, he started to pull himself across the gorge.

Finding a sturdy tree for an anchor, Marco and Chet began laying out the pulley system and ropes that they would need to pull the stokes across the gorge. Mike attached the travelling harness to the stokes and made sure that the splints and blankets were secure.

Cap, taking pity on John, pulled the girl away so that he could organize the rest of the gear. The grateful look that John sent him made him smile. 'John doesn't realize it, but sometimes when he is on one of his rants about something, he is just like her.'

Roy did a final check on the straps that secured Tony, the injured hiker, to the stokes. It had been an easy rescue so far. Tony's ulna and femur were fractured. But they were simple fractures, no broken skin or bleeding. Splints and a little MS for the pain, and he was ready to transport. He had permission to start a precautionary IV when they were in the ambulance.

"So, Johnny. Do you want to go in with him?" Roy knew what the answer would be before he asked.

"No way. Are you crazy! I'm not getting anywhere near his girl friend again. This time you answer her questions and keep her calm. I did my duty already."

Roy enjoyed rubbing it in a little "Hey, okay. I just thought I'd ask. You two looked like you were getting along pretty well."

Johnny grimaced, "Yeah, like a house on fire. And given a choice, that's where I'd rather be. She would drive me up the wall if I had to listen to her in the ambulance. No. It's your turn."

Roy shrugged as they picked up the stokes and carried Tony to the edge of the gorge. He'd go across in the aerial basket while the other guys pulled the stokes across on the rigged lines. Johnny would help with the clean up.

Johnny picked up the Handi-Talkie. "Engine 51. I'm ready to release the ropes. Are you ready to haul them in?"

"HT-51. 10-4," replied Cap. "Let'em go."

With a tug, the ropes fell down into the shadowy gorge. Glancing across to the other side, Johnny saw Marco and Chet hauling them up. Roy was behind them, kneeling next to Tony, confirming that the ride across in the stokes hadn't shifted the splints on Tony's arm and leg. The girl, Julia, was hovering behind him.

Johnny secured the Handi-Talkie to his belt and took a quick look around before picking up the Trauma Box. 'Sure is pretty up here,' he thought. 'I'll have to add it to my hiking list. Now, one more ride in this aerial basket, then dinner.' His stomach growled in agreement.

Moving to the edge of the cliff, Johnny sat down next to the pulley and began to haul the basket back to his side. He could feel the roughness of the rope on his palm. 'Man, this thing must be at least ten years old,' he said to himself. 'I wonder who maintains it. Even more important. Is it maintained?' The condition of the aerial basket hadn't been a concern in the rush to get to the victim. But now that he had time to thing about it, he decided that he wouldn't add it to his hiking list after all. No need to go tempting fate.

Above him one of the anchor pins shifted slightly, rock crumbling away. The taunt wire vibrated for an instant, unseen.

Pulling the empty basket across the 70 foot span took only a minute. The journey back would take a little longer. No one was available to man the pulley on the far side. He could see Chet and Marco struggling to haul the ropes up from the tangle of trees on that side of the gorge. Cap and Mike were disappearing down the trail with the stokes, Roy close behind with the gear. So he would have to use the rope grab to pull himself pretty much hand over hand back across.

If he could stand, he'd be able to really put some muscle into it. Unfortunately, the basket's design didn't allow for standing. The bottom wire of the pair that sandwiched the large grooved wheel was only four feet above the floor of the basket. Add the four wires from the basket corners pyramiding up to the wheel's axle, and you had to be a midget to fit in the space upright.

With a final pull, Johnny landed the basket on the wooden platform attached to the cliff edge. He steadied it for a moment, then placed the trauma box at one end. The basket creaked as he stepped in and sat in the middle.

Johnny made himself comfortable, bracing his feet against the trauma box. The rope grab was hanging from one of the corners. He didn't need to read the plastic covered instructions. Rope grabs were standard equipment in the Department. With a quick twist it was on the rope and ready for use.

Dusk was approaching, and with it came the unpredictable winds. A sudden gust of wind rocked the basket. Johnny paused, then reached for the rope grab. The overhead wires hummed in synchronization.

The anchor pin in the cliff face shifted again. More rock crumbled away. As the rock's support eroded away, the anchor pin began to pull out.

Johnny quickly found the rhythm he needed. Slide the grab forward a couple of feet, tug the basket forward when it locked, then repeat. He tried to see how quickly and smoothly he could make the transitions from the slide to the tug. He was watching Chet and Marco as he pulled. He grinned. "Definitely easier than hauling up the tree-tangled ropes."

The anchor pin had reached that critical point between secured and unsecured. Another gust of wind provided the last bit of energy. With a sound like a high pitched whistle, the anchor pin and wire whipped through the air.

Chet and Marco looked up quickly. They knew that sound. A tensioned wire had come loose somewhere.

Johnny knew that sound too. Before he could voice a warning, the heavy anchor pin came out of nowhere, smashing into his shoulder, then disappearing as the wire writhed away.

Johnny had time to scream in agony before falling into darkness.

Ten miles away Teja and Liatt were playing halter tag in the field. Teja was it. She was galloping beside Liatt, trying to get close enough to tug on his halter. Once she did that, it would be his turn to chase her.

Both of them reared to a stop, wings quivering.

'Johnny's hurt!' cried Teja.

'I know. But now he's gone. I can't feel him at all,' answered Liatt.

'We've got to tell Shauna.' Teja took off across the field, Liatt close behind. They were so intent on reaching their mother that they hardly realized that their wings were lifting them off the ground every few strides.

Johnny opened his eyes to the searing pain in his shoulder. He moaned as the basket rocked, jolting him. His left arm hung limply. Carefully he moved his right hand to his collar bone. His heart sank. Damn. Damn. Damn. Broken.

The basket rocked again, moving forward with a jerk.

"Johnny! Johnny! Hang on! We're going to pull you in!" yelled Marco.

'He's back! Johnny's back!' called Teja. She could see the wire over his head. A large wheel balanced on it. The sky behind it was turning orange and red as the sun went down.

Everything swung to one side as the wheel tilted and dropped off the wire. She felt the pain that ripped through his shoulder. Then he was gone again.

'Shauna! Liatt! He needs help!' cried Teja.

Shauna nuzzled her two agitated foals. 'There's nothing we can do, little ones. Johnny's friends will help him.'

Teja stamped her hooves in frustration.

Roy was just about to climb into the ambulance when he heard Johnny's cry of pain. Cap and Mike stood still as Marco's voice crackled over the Handi-Talkie. "Engine 51. The top wire broke loose. The anchor pin must of hit Johnny. He's down."

"10-4. We'll be right there!" answered Cap. "Roy?"

Roy was pulling the biophone and drug box out of the ambulance. "Malcolm can handle Tony. I'll let Rampart know."

"Mike, call it in. Get another ambulance. Bring the stokes from the Engine."

"Right, Cap." Mike called over his shoulder as he headed toward the Engine.

"10-4 Rampart. I'll let you know about Johnny as soon as I can." Roy quickly pulled out the antenna and closed up the biophone. "Let's go."

Cap grabbed the drug box and led the way back up the darkening trail. "Engine 51. Cap, we've got trouble," Marco's voice was anxious. "The wheel slipped off the bottom wire while we were pulling him in. It's jammed at the axle. We can't budge it!"

Cap pulled the handi-talkie from his belt as he ran. "HT-51, we're almost there." The canopy of branches over their heads ended up ahead. That was where the clearing and the gorge were.

Cap and Roy burst into the clearing, dropping the gear in the middle before racing over to Chet and Marco.

The basket was about 50 feet from their side. It may as well have been a 100 feet. Tilted slightly to one side by the wire jammed under the axle, the basket wasn't going anywhere. In the dimming light they could see Johnny lying across the basket's floor.

"Engine 51. Mike, we're going to need some lights up here."

"HT-51. I'll grab the spot light and some flashlights. I'll be there in a couple of minutes. ETA on ambulance is 20 minutes."

Turning to his crew, Cap asked, "Okay. We need some ideas. We can't send someone out on the remaining wire. It's too risky. If that one goes, Johnny's a goner." The others nodded in agreement.

"How about the pulley rope?" asked Roy.

"Nah," Chet shook his head. "That rope's old, it would break if we put a heavy load on it. You can feel the broken fibres in some spots."

Roy was staring intently out at the basket. The wind had the tree branches swaying gently on the other side. Damn. Ten minutes ago they had had all the extra ropes and anchors that they needed. Now they had nothing.

He thought he saw Johnny move. "Johnny! Johnny!" he yelled. "Can you hear me?"

In the basket Johnny blinked his eyes, trying to focus on that oh-so-familiar voice instead of the pain in his shoulder. His right hand fumbled for the handi-talkie on his belt. He didn't have the energy to yell back across to Roy.

Roy and the others jumped as Johnny's voice echoed hoarsely out of two handi-talkies. "Yeah, I hear you."

Roy grabbed Marco's radio. "Johnny! Where are you hurt?"

"Collar bone's broken. Can't move left arm." A pause. "Get me outta here."

Cap answered. "It's going to take some time pal. The wheel jumped off the wire. It's jammed on the axle. We tried pulling, but it didn't work. We have to figure out a way to get over to you without putting any stress on that remaining wire."

They heard Johnny groan as the basket was rocked by another gust of wind.

"Johnny. You've got the trauma box. Can you immobilize that shoulder while we come up with a plan?" instructed Roy.

Another groan. "Yah. Hope neatness doesn't count."

Roy smiled. Trust Johnny to make a joke of it. "I'll tell Brackett to overlook it this time."

A rustle behind them announced the arrival of Mike and the rest of the equipment. Seconds later the clearing and part of the gorge brightened. Darkness had descended beyond the artificial circle of light. They could just see movement in the basket as Johnny dragged the trauma box toward him.

"As I see it, we need to get another line across the gorge. And we'd better do it fast. Who knows how long that remaining wire is going to hold." Cap shook his head, then lifted up his handi-talkie. "LA, Engine 51. We're going to need a chopper at our location."

"Engine 51, LA. Stand-bye."

Cap outlined his plan to his crew, "We'll get the chopper to drop someone on the other side. We'll shoot a line across and rig up a substitute set of ropes."

"Engine 51, LA. The nearest chopper is on an airlift. ETA is 40 minutes."

Cap hung his head briefly. "LA, Engine 51. 10-4."

Johnny's voice filled the silence. "I guess I get to enjoy this view little longer, eh?"

"Don't worry pal, we'll get you back on the ground as soon as we can." Cap looked at the faces around him. "We'll just have to wait until the chopper gets here."

Teja and Liatt didn't understand all the images that Johnny was broadcasting. That bird without wings looked terrifying. They did understand that he was in trouble and needed help now. His friends couldn't help.

'Shauna, please help us call Kaymor. He can help Johnny,' begged Liatt.

Shauna arched her head forward. 'It might be difficult. Kaymor doesn't like humans. I know, I know,' she soothed them. 'He knows how Johnny protects us. And he likes Johnny. It's the other humans.'

'Oh, they won't hurt Kaymor. Johnny trusts them. They're good humans,' countered Teja.

'All right, we'll try to convince him. Can you tell him how to find Johnny?'

Teja and Liatt kicked their hind legs out in joy. 'We can tell him. We can tell him.' The image of the gorge and the clearing were very clear in their minds. Kaymor would have no problems finding and helping Johnny.

Cap stared off into the darkness after checking his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. He hated this feeling of helplessness. One of his men was trapped and he couldn't do anything. Except wait. And hope that the second wire wouldn't break loose like the first one. Behind him he could hear Roy pacing back and forth across the clearing. Mike, Chet and Marco were leaning against trees or rocks, silently waiting. Only ten minutes of the 40 had passed.

"Hey Roy?" Johnny's voice jolted them from their thoughts.

"Yah, Johnny. What's up?"

"I think I just invented a sling that you can put on with one hand. The usual one just doesn't work very well when you only have one hand."

Roy could still hear the pain in Johnny's voice, but he didn't sound as hoarse as before. "I take it you've managed to immobilize your shoulder."

Johnny snorted. " Yah, you could say that. What time is it? Reading my watch is a little difficult right now."

Roy knew what Johnny was asking. "I'll bet. Half an hour to go."

Johnny leaned back against the Trauma box. It was getting chilly out here. He looked up at the dark sky. The sun was gone, the moon and stars wouldn't be out for a while. He imagined he could see different shades of black in the distance. Wait a second. A dark shadow moved in the distance. 'Wow. That is one big owl.' He peered into the gloom, trying to keep track of it. Birdwatching in the dark was better than going stir crazy waiting for that chopper.

'Not an owl.' Johnny decided as the figure swooped in towards him. What ever it was was massive.

He jerked upright with a gasp. He didn't believe it. A jet black body and gently beating wings were silhouetted against the dark sky, just outside the edge of the spotlight. It was the Twins sire. 'What is he doing here?'

Cap saw Johnny's sudden movement rock the basket. "John, what's wrong? Try to stay still." The others moved over to join Cap. Five pairs of eyes strained to see into the darkness. "John? John?"

Johnny didn't answer. He was concentrating on the images that had slipped into his mind. The twins were nosing him toward the stallion. Then he was riding Shauna bareback. The large liquid eyes of Teja and Liatt stared at him. They were mirror images of each other. One with a white smudge near the left nostril, the other with one near the right.

Johnny blinked, shaking his head. 'They want me to ride the stallion!' As if in confirmation, he saw himself sitting astride the winged stallion, legs tucked down behind the wings. 'I don't know about this. I'm not sure I'd try it with two good arms, let alone one.'

He was reaching for the Handi-talkie when he felt the basket vibrate for an instant. 'That wasn't caused by the wind!' He glanced across the gorge. Roy and the others stood in the pool of light. They hadn't touched the wire.

The basket vibrated again. Johnny imagined that he could hear rock crumbling behind him as the remaining anchor loosened.

He fumbled with the Handi-talkie. "Ah, Roy. We've got another problem. Um, I think the wire is pulling loose."

"What?" yelled Roy, his heart in his throat. Cap clenched his fists helplessly.

"Um, Roy, remember what we were talking about this morning?" They could hear Johnny take a steadying breath. "Well, he's here. The Twins sent him."

Roy's jaw dropped. He looked at the others, then moved closer to the edge, straining to see what Johnny was talking about. He could see Johnny struggling to stand up in the basket. His movement was making the basket sway.

"What's he doing!?" yelled Cap, bringing his handi-talkie to his mouth.

Roy pulled down Cap's arm and pointed. Words were beyond him right now.

They could all see the winged horse that had silently moved up beside the basket. It's wings flicked gently up and down as it swung it's hind end around. Turning it's head slightly to the right, it seemed to be asking Johnny to join him.

And Johnny looked like he was going to do just that. The basket's tilt increased as Johnny pulled himself up on one of the corner wires. Not allowing time for second thoughts, Johnny swung out from the basket and let go, falling only a foot before landing gently on the horse's back.

'I don't believe I'm doing this,' thought Johnny as he slowly hunched himself forward enough to grab mane with his right hand. He hissed in pain. "Okay, big fella. I'm all yours. Take me to the clearing." Johnny lightly pressed his right leg against the horse's flank.

The stallion responded instantly, banking up and over the wire before heading toward Roy and the others. Johnny hoped that they would move away and give them some space to land.

"Move back into the trees," ordered Roy. "Give him plenty of space."

They quickly did as Roy bid, watching as the winged horse glided into the clearing. The change from airborne to grounded was so smooth that no one could tell exactly what happened. One second his wings were out, then they were folded neatly along his side. As one, they started to move forward.

"Wait!" called Johnny hoarsely, feeling the stallion tense up under him. "Don't crowd him. He'll spook. Not used to humans." He stopped and fought down a wave of pain. "Mike, you're the tallest. Can you walk very slowly out to help me down? Don't look at his head. Just look at me, okay?"

Mike could hear Johnny talking softly to the horse. He couldn't make out the words, but whatever they were seemed to calm it. 'Wow. This horse is a beauty.' He froze a few feet from Johnny. He could barely see over top of the horse's back. The horse's head swung around to watch him.

"It's okay Mike. He's just checking you out. I'm going to swing my leg to this side. Can you reach up and grab my waist?"

A moment later Johnny had his feet on the ground. Mike threw his arm around his waist as he sagged. Johnny touched the horse's wing lightly as they started to move away. "Thank-you big fella. I promise to take good care of your family."

A high pitched twang behind them startled everyone. The winged horse reared and snorted. An instant later he was in the air, powerful wings taking him away from the humans.

Six pairs of eyes swung away from the sight of the soaring horse to the now empty gorge as the night air was filled with the sound of the basket crashing through the trees below.

No one spoke, minds frozen in shock.

Johnny was first to break the silence. "Anyone got an aspirin?" he groaned.

Johnny took a deep breath as he slid carefully out of Roy's car. His ranch wasn't very big, but it was his. "Man, nothing can beat the smell of hay and horses!" He quirked an eye at Roy over the car, "Especially after being in the hospital for two days."

Roy shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. I love the smell of freshly cut and sanded wood myself."

Johnny tipped his head and grinned. "To each his own I guess." Then he laughed. "Chet's favourite smell is probably flour, dye and grease."

Roy shook his "Nah. Chet's favourite smell is pigeon!"

"Yeah." Roy could h ara touch of annoyance as John remembered some of the latest practical jokes played on him. "And the pigeon always seems to be me!"

"Do you want me to bring that bag of carrots into the house?" asked Roy, switching the subject.

"No. That's for Shauna. Maybe you could take it to the barn for me? Just let me put my bag inside and grab some sugar cubes. I'll be right back."

Roy rolled his eyes. 'Even having his arm strapped to his chest doesn't slow him down much.' Roy recalled Doctor Brackett's parting words to 'not over do it' and Johnny's assurances that he'd 'take it easy.'

"Yeah, right," muttered Roy. "Take it easy. He'll be in a saddle before a week is up"

Brackett had voiced his disbelief in Johnny's words by simply raising an eyebrow.

Roy looked up as Johnny flung the door open with his good shoulder, a small bag of sugar cubes clutched in his right hand. His headlong flight down the porch steps was maybe a little more sedate than usual. Roy wasn't sure.

Roy lifted up the 10 pound bag of carrot and joined Johnny in his walk to the field beside the barn. The midday sun shone across two small black bodies wandering at the far end. He could see the gentle breeze lightly tossing Shawna's blonde mane.

Johnny's eyes drank in the sight. When that second wire had started to go he hadn't been sure that he'd see this sight ever again. Right now it was the most beautiful sight that he could imagine.

As he neared the fence, he saw the two foals lift their heads. They broke into a gallop, then with a flap of wings, they were airborne, gliding effortlessly down the field. Shauna, grazing in the shade beside the barn called out a caution before walking sedately toward Johnny.

Johnny stroked her nose as they watched the foals land inside the fence. "I guess their dad has been around to instruct them in the fine art of flying."

Shauna nodded, then reached forward to grab the carrot Roy held out.

Roy shook his head in wonder, " Well, it looks like Shauna knows how to keep them under control." If only she could keep you in control he added silently.

Johnny laughed. "I hope so. I'm going to need all the help I can get to train them."

His four-legged guardian angels crowded close. Two small noses pushed gently at Johnny's arm.

"Okay, okay, kids. I've got treats for you too. But I only have one hand, so take it easy. Take it easy."

Watching Johnny with the two young horses, Roy thought, 'That goes for you too, Junior. Take it easy.'

Catch a ride back to the Flight Deck...