Archive Page 12: September 2001












 
 
 
 

 Andy Mooseheart and the Smokejumpers

               Author: Marlene, Sep/8/2001 07:41:49

                Marnie/Sonja and all MG fans!  I just noticed that Marnie said in the  instructions that we could put a different ending  on message board as well as on Pin. Well my pc is  off its rocker again---can't print right sooooo----
  here goes---
ANDY MOOSEHEART AND THE SMOKEJUMPERS (FIRESTORM) Hope you all enjoy!

                Andy is relaxing with Jesse,the line chief and the
                other Smokejumpers in the office of (The Jumping
                Fools)as they call themselves.
                The phone rings and Monica answers and hands it
                over to Jesse.
                "Yes sir! He's here! It's the boss!"Monica says
                as she hands the phone to Jesse.
                "Yes,sir,we'll handle it at once. Thankyou sir,
                I'll pass it on to the others" Jesse grins and looks
                at his crew."Guess what people,we got a new jumper
                to replace Sherman. Andy,finish that sandwich and
                get going!His name is C A Thatcher. He's waiting at
                headquarters right now. So get over there and fly
                him back !"
                Andy reluctantly finishes his Swiss on Rye and moves
                towards the door with helmet in hand.
                "OK,chief! Why is it always when I'm eating?"
                "I guess you're just unlucky,Andy! Oh,by the way,
                the boss said we all did an outstanding job at Eagle
                Lake prescribed burn. We'll get belt buckles or
                paper weights!"
                "Wonderfull! Maybe he'll buy us all pizza
                instead!" Andy grins and moves towards his
                helicopter,as he places his helmet on his head and
                tucks his long hair under it.
                At headquarters,Andy jumps out of his helicopter and
                looks around.Suddenly he spies a pair of shapely
                legs incased in a pair of leather jeans. His eye
                follows the apparition upward past a red silk blouse
                with black leather vest. However he stops there. A
                pretty blond woman was frowning right at him.
                "You're late!I've been waiting an hour. I hope
                you respond to fires a little bit faster!" She
                struggled with her heavy bag,all the time frowning
                at Andy.
                "I'd be glad to get that for you!" Andy offered.
                "I can manage! I always do!"
                Andy noticed the cap said firefighter above the
                visor that covered the cold blue eyes.She hopped
                into the helicopter.
                They traveled along in silence for a while. Andy
                noticed the woman was becoming nervous with the
                silence,so he looked over at her and smiled.
                "So what does the C A stand for? That is if you
                don't mind answering."
                "Cynthia Ann!" her tone was a little
                softer."What's yours?"
                "Andy Mooseheart! I fly for (The jumping fools)
                Welcome aboard,Cynthia Ann."
                The girl smiled then and Andy felt a sudden rush.
                She had a lovely smile.
                "Look here Andy,I'm sorry I barked at you.I just
                get tired of fast moving guys trying to make a hit
                on me.I'm here for one thing,fighting fires not
                romance!"
                "Yes Ma'm! I'll keep that in mind!"
                She looked over at the pilot and was sorry that she
                had said that. Something about Andy appealed to her.
                She felt strangely safe with him. She felt he was
                sincere.
                "You can call me Cindy if you like! That is only
                when we are alone.To the others I'll be just C A
                Thatcher.OK?"
                Andy looked with wonderment at the beautiful girl.
                Then he smiled and Cindy returned the smile.
                "OK,Cindy!" Andy answered with a puzzled look in
                his eyes.
                To continue---------
 
 
 
 

                      Thanks, Marlene - Carol, Sep/8/2001 14:50:17

                     I'm enjoying this. Can't wait till the next episode.
 

                             Glad you.re enjoying it,Carol! - Marlene, Sep/9/2001 09:04:32

                          Well I just lost a big bit trying to put it on MB!
                          Oh well(Sigh) To Continue---Andy And the Smokejumps
                          -----After they landed,Andy removed his helmet and
                          his long dark hair blew free in the breeze. Cindy
                          backed up. Andy having long hair somehow frightened
                          her. He frowned and looked at her with a an
                          inquiring look.
                          "What's wrong Cindy? You looked frightened!"
                          "Oh,nothing! I was just surprised at your long
                          hair. Are you Indian?
                          "Yes,I'm Cheyenne. May I carry your bag this
                          time? Otherwise,they'll think I'm nuts!"
                          "Yes,thankyou! Andy,after we get to know each
                          other a little better,I'll explain things to you."
                          "How about tomorrow night? We all go over to the
                          club called,Shorty's.They always have a good band.
                          We have a couple beers and dance. What do you say?
                          I'm asking you before Cowboy and the others move in
                          on me. Monica and Rich's wife are always with us."
                          "I'll think on it!" Cindy answered and walked
                          along beside Andy,who was unaware of her nervous
                          feelings about meeting the other firefighters. She
                          always puts on this self-assured front and she hated
                          herself for it!
                          ---MORE TOMORROW!!!-------
 

                                  Andy Mooseheart and the Smokejumpers------Continues! - Marlene, Sep/10/2001 06:17:30

                               Cowboy whisled and eyed Cindy up and down. Spence,
                               the radioman,eyed her also but Monica frowned, after
                               she got over the sock. Only Jesse maintained a
                               serious stance.
                               "Gang, this is C A Thatcher! C A, this is Monica,
                               Spence, Cowboy, Rich. This is Jesse, our line chief,
                               " Andy said as he introduced everyone.
                               "Welcome aboard, C A," Jesse started to say. Cindy
                               interupted him by handing him her papers."Thankyou
                               Jesse. My papers will explain my training and that
                               I am to be alternite line chief under you." She
                               handed the papers to Jesse, looking neither right
                               nor left.
                               "OK! We run a rather relaxed crew here. We save our energy
                               energy for the fires. When you get to know us,you'll
                               find out that we don't bite!" Jesse advised with a
                               bit of sterness in his tone.
                               "C A will be going with us tomorrow night,over at
                               the club,"Andy said as he smiled at Cindy,"Am I
                               right?"
                               "Yes,I'd be glad to join in!" Cindy answered.
                               "Well Alright!" Cowboy grinned and was joined
                               by the others in welcoming the new girl. All but
                               Monica,that is. She stood with a cross look in her
                               eyes.
                               The club was a lively place the next night.As Andy
                               had said,the band was good. Cindy took her seat
                               beside Andy, at the table and watched Jesse,Cowboy
                               and Rich go directly to the dartboard and started
                               playing with much vigor."They have some serious bets
                               with each other. They play for $2.00 a game. Jesse
                               usually wins!" Andysaid,grinning.
                               "Yes, but to see them up there you'd think they were
                               putting the stakes at $200,"Spence explained.
                               "So how did a pretty girl like you decide to be a
                               smokejumper?"Rich's wife asked,eyeing the uneasy
                               girl.
                               "My father was a smokejumper!" Cindy said.
                               "Just a family tradition. Right C A?" Monica
                               asked and she didn't try to hide her dislike for
                               the girl.
                               "Would you like to dance, C A?" Andy asked.
                               "Yes,I would,Andy,"Cindy answered with a warm look
                               in her eyes for Andy's rescuing her.
                               Out on the dance floor, Cindy relaxed. She soon saw
                               that Andy was an excellent dancer and she had to
                               admit to herself that see liked dancing close to
                               him.
                               "Don't mind Clara Richards, Cindy. She always comes
                               right to the point. We all ignore her for Rich's
                               sake. Did your father call you Cindy "No,he called
                               me C A! It lightened his dissapointment that I
                               wasn't born a boy.He wanted a son real bad to carry
                               on the family tradition,like Monica said. He had a
                               ranch up in the Bitter Roots. I tried so hard to
                               please him by working right alongside the cowboys
                               and Wranglers.
                               He acted like I didn't even exist
                               and he swore at me when i couldn't keep up with the
                               men. There were two old cowboys,Jim and Scooter,
                               who were more like fathers to me than he was. They
                               called me Cindy." The music stopped but Cindy just
                               stayed there in Andy's arms until the band started
                               up again.
                               "I'm glad you were born a girl!"Andy said softly
                               as he drew Cindy close to him and smiled down at
                               the beautiful girl. Cindy completly relaxed in
                               Andy's arms and smiled up at him.
                               "So am I!" she whisphered.
                               Monica for some reason,suddenly marched off with
                               Clara. The others took this as a reson to call it
                               quits for the night.
                               "Looks like this C A is moving in on you and Andy.
                               I told you it was necessary to show Andy that you
                               have eyes for him. How long has it been now?"
                               "A whole year! He just thinks of me as a buddy!
                               Well,I'm not giving up this easy! I'm going to fight
                               her for him. Will you help me Clara?"
                               "Sure! Who is this C A anyway? Monica,you and I are
                               going shopping for a new sexy wardrobe for you.And
                               maybe a new hairdo also! You can't go around 24hrs
                               a day dressed in smokejumper gear! Go get him,girl!"
                               The two women laughed and walked off arm and arm.
                               Andy and Cindy chose to walk back to the together.
                               They were enjoying the night with all the stars and
                               full moon. Cindy took Andy's arm and looked up at
                               him.---------To Continue!--------
 

                                       Moose - Nellie, Sep/11/2001 03:28:20

                                    Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
 

                                       Mooseheart and Thatcher! - Marlene, Sep/11/2001 06:30:11

                                    --To Continue--
                                    "Andy, I want to explain something to you. When I
                                    was sixteen and working on my father's ranch, a
                                    drifter was hired to feed the stock horses. He was
                                    a creepy guy with long hair and a dirty beard. He
                                    was always hanging around in the shadows, looking at
                                    me. I told my father but he only laughed and said
                                    I was crazy like my dead mother had been. He wanted
                                    his saddle polished and I was to do it. It took me
                                    a few hours and it was dark when I finished and
                                    started towards the house. He came out of the
                                    shadows and grabbed me, dragging me behind the
                                    corral. I was so frightened! I tried to call for
                                    help but he held a knife to my throat and said he'd
                                    kill me if I yelled out. He smelled sweat and his
                                    long, dirty hair smelled as he raped me over and
                                    over. I'll never forget his dirty hair hanging down
                                    in my face. Your hair is not like that!" Cindy
                                    buried her face in Andy's hair and started to weep.
                                    Andy held her close, comforting her.
                                    "Well,I'm glad I washed my hair today!" Andy said
                                    softly,lifting her face up and smiling into her
                                    eyes. Cindy smiled then,wiping her tears away. Andy
                                    placed his arms around her again and continued,
                                    "What did your dad do when you told him?"
                                    "He said it must have been my fault. He thought I
                                    was probably fibbing and he said I was to stop
                                    making up such crazy stories. I left the ranch and
                                    my father that following Spring.I heard that they
                                    needed wranglers over on the next ranch. I worked
                                    there until I was 21 and read an ad in the paper
                                    for those wanting to train as firemen. I trained
                                    hard and then became a smokejumper. I also proved
                                    to myself that I was worth something!"
                                    "And you'd like to get one little bit of praise
                                    from your father!"
                                    "Yes,just for one time!"
                                    "You have a right to his recognition but don't shut
                                    other folks out that admire you and want to get
                                    close to you!" Andy took hold of Cindy's shoulders,
                                    "I think I've fallen in love with you,Cindy! I know
                                    this is sudden but I--I--"
                                    "Don't try to explain,Andy Mooseheart! I think I'm
                                    falling for you also!"
                                    "Well, let's find out!" Andy brought his lips down
                                    to Cindy's and kissed her. She responded with just
                                    as strong a kiss,filled with a lot of emotion.
                                    "Goodnight Andy! Let's sleep on it!" Cindy smiled
                                    and walked into her quarters.
                                    "Goodnight!" Andy whispered and walked away. A warm
                                    feeling was there deep inside.
 

                                            Also glad.... - Carol, Sep/11/2001 13:04:11

                                         that Andy washed his hair that day!
 

                                                 One Moment to Reflect--------- - Marlene, Sep/12/2001 06:48:01

                                              --on the deaths of my countrymen at the hands of
                                              terrorists!!!---On with Andy and the Jumpers-------

                                              The next couple of weeks were a busy time for Cindy.
                                              She started with the stress test which is a devilish
                                              inventure where you climb up and down steps with
                                              full pack for so many minutes. Cindy passed this and
                                              all the other grueling tests and Jesse declared her
                                              in excellent condition.
                                              Jesse and his crew were flown to a small wildfire
                                              in Idaho.When they were ready to jump, Cindy took
                                              her place just before Jesse.
                                              Andy turned and smiled at the girl saying,"You know
                                              I'll be chewing my fingernails back at the center
                                              until I hear good news. Please be careful,Cindy!"
                                              "Yeah! Yeah, we all know your feelings for C A! Lets
                                              jump and you,Romeo,just fly the copter!"
                                              Cindy,Monica and Jesse jumped and Andy watched them
                                              tumbling down in free fall until he saw thier chutes
                                              open. He turned the helicopter around and headed
                                              back to the center.
                                              A very unfortunate accident had happened to Monica!
                                              She was 20 feet to her landing spot when her chute
                                              got caught in some branches.
                                              Both Cindy and Jesse saw the situation as they
                                              parachuted down. Cindy ran to Jesse.
                                              "Monica's caught up there! What's your orders,Jesse?"
                                              Jesse observed the fire approuching from the West.
                                              He took out the charges to ignite the backfire. It
                                              was to stop the wildfire when it could no longer
                                              move because it no longer had oxygen.
                                              "Can you set the charges C A?" Jesse yelled to Cindy
                                              "Yes,I can do it!"
                                              "Good girl! Give me your Polaski. I might need two
                                              in getting her down. You can dig with your small
                                              shovel in setting the charges!"
                                              Cindy handed over her big hatchet to Jesse and
                                              immediately set about the task assaigned her. She
                                              noticed the fire was steadily moving towars their
                                              position!
                                              Jesse moved in and looked up at the dangling Monica.
                                              He appraised the situation.
                                              "Monica,can you swing your feet and catch the
                                              branches in the next tree?"
                                              "Yes,I think so!" Monica succeeded and her chute
                                              ropes were visible now.Jesse swung the big hatchet
                                              upwards at the chute ropes. He grinned when it
                                              sliced through one of the ropes.
                                              "We'll have you free in a jiffy,Monica! Here comes
                                              C A's Polaski!"
                                              Agan Jesse was successful and Monica fell to the
                                              ground.
                                              "Are you OK?" Jesse asked as he helped Monica to
                                              her feet.
                                              "Yes! Just got one big bruise on the hip! Now let"s
                                              help C A. I don't want her to get all the credit
                                              for this caper."
                                              They found that Cindy had already finished setting
                                              the charges when they came up.
                                              "Good work! Now let's get the hell to the clearing
                                              where Andy can pick us up!"
                                              The three smokejumpers ran as fast as they could
                                              with their full packs to the clearing. "You call
                                              Andy, C A! He's probably worn a path in the carpet
                                              and he'll want to hear your voice. Give him the
                                              position co-ordinates. Tell him he can't land here!
                                              Sorry ladies but we'll have to climb up on the ropes
                                              into the copter while he hovers!"
                                              BAck at the command post,Andy heard Cindy's voice
                                              on the radio and went to the mic! After getting
                                              instructions,he put on his helmet and ran to the
                                              helicopter. As Andy maneavered the copter into place,
                                              the fire was already too close. Any moment,the
                                              explosion would acure! Andy dropped the ropes down.
                                              Monica started to climb. Jesse saw the danger and
                                              yelled to Monica.
                                              "Hurry,Monica! I know that left leg of yours got a
                                              big bruise but we'll all get much more if you don't
                                              get your butt up there pronto!"
                                              Andy held the copter steady as they started to
                                              climb. He watched Cindy as she scurried up the rope
                                              (Just like a little critter! I love that girl!) he
                                              thought to himself. Monica saw the big grin on
                                              Andy's face.
                                              After Jesse was safely inside,Andy turned the
                                              helicopter and headed out fast! The explosion came
                                              and rocked the helicopter but Andy held it steady.
                                              "Cool!" Jesse called to all aboard with a big grin
                                              on his face.
                                              Monica watched Andy and Cindy walk hand and hand
                                              towards Andy's jeep.Then she settled back in the
                                              ambulance and thought of her next try to take Andy
                                              away from C A!
                                              ----to continue--------
 

                                                      Thanks for keeping the story going....! - Sonja, Sep/12/2001 07:21:51

                                                   Thanks Marlene...we can do with a little 'distraction' at
the moment. I've been  enjoying the story immensely.






                                                         Thank you Marlene for your 'distraction' - Carol, Sep/13/2001 01:02:54

                                                        This is a difficult time. People deal with things
                                                        in different ways, and if your imagination and writing
                                                        skills are still going strong, through the events of the
                                                        past 48 hours, then all I gotta say is, YOU GO GIRL!
                                                        I welcome and appreciate the respite!
 
 

                                                                Some how life goes on!---(Firestorm)---Andy&Cindy-------Continue---- - Marlene, Sep/13/2001 06:53:29

                                                             Andy stopped the Jeep in front of his apartment
                                                             building. He smiled at Cindy.
                                                             "Tired? Can you make it to your apartment all the
                                                             way over on the East side of town?"Andy said,with a
                                                             warm smile. Cindy knew what he was up to!
                                                             "No,I don't think I'd make it! Maybe I better stay
                                                             with you tonight! That is if you're inviting me?"
                                                             "I'm inviting!" Andy jumped out of the Jeep and
                                                             carried Cindy's gear into the building. He unlocked
                                                             the door and stood back so she could enter.
                                                             Cindy saw a neat,bachelor place with beautiful
                                                             American Indian paintings on the wall.
                                                             "Beautiful! That's The Buffalo Surround,isn't it?"
                                                             "Yes!" Andy answered. He was openly pleased with
                                                             her knowledge of the painting.He put his arms around
                                                             her. She turned and reaching up,she kissed him full
                                                             on the lips.
                                                             Both Andy and Cindy were real tired but they made
                                                             love until the early morning hours. Then Cindy fell
                                                             asleep in Andy's arms. There was a gentle breeze
                                                             that moved the curtins in the open window.
                                                             Then suddenly the breeze turned into a strong wind
                                                             that blew the curtins inward. Andy opened his eyes
                                                             and felt the wind blowing at a high level. Cindy
                                                             was also aware of the change in the weather and the
                                                             two sat up as the phone rang. Andy grabbed it up
                                                             fast. He heard Jesse's voice on the other end.
                                                             "Yes,get both your butts down here fast! The fire
                                                             changed its direction and is headed straight
                                                             towards the town of Eagleton. We got to get out
                                                             there! We got a hell of a forest fire on our hands
                                                             now!"
                                                             When Cindy and Andy got to the command post, Jesse
                                                             was walking around trying to get things together.
                                                             Rich and Cowboy were ready with the phones and
                                                             Monica was on radar.
                                                             "You two get your gear together! We're all going in
                                                             the observation plane in 20 minutes to take a look.
                                                             The forest service tells us that it has already
                                                             burned about a thousand acreas and is moving fast
                                                             with this wind."
                                                             Andy and Cindy went over and watched the fire on
                                                             Monica's radar screen.
                                                             "It sure is moving close to the town! I take it
                                                             I've been recruited for land duty!" Andy remarked.
                                                             "Yes, the forest service needs us all. The tanker
                                                             is standing by with chemicals."
                                                             "Looks like we'll get dumped on during this gig!"
                                                             Rich said in all seriousness.
                                                             "That's for sure!" Cowboy added.
                                                             The phone rang and Jesse motioned to Cowboy and
                                                             Rich that he would take it.
                                                             "Yes,sir,we're ready to go! Yes,yes,will do!" Jesse
                                                             hung up the phone and turned to his smokejumpers.
                                                             "This is it,gang! The plane will pick us up in 30
                                                             minutes. Everyone,make sure your chutes and
                                                             equipment are OK! Now let's get cracking!"
                                                             The steady hum of the transport's plane's engines
                                                             hung heavy on the smokejumpers ears as they sat in
                                                             silence as the big plane made its way over the
                                                             fire's position. The pilot called to Jesse that they
                                                             were in position. They all looked below. Large smoke
                                                             colums rose like huge ghosts. Then they saw it!
                                                             Flames from the fire were eating up the trees as
                                                             it moved along, consuming everything in it's path.
                                                             ---To continue----
 
 

                                                                   Conclusion---Andy,Cindy&The Smokejumpers(Firestorm) - Marlene, Sep/14/2001 08:10:06

                                                                  Jesse observed the entire situation and then spoke
                                                                  to the pilot.
                                                                  "Well,Cap,it looks like we jump into hell today.
                                                                  Those poor campers and picnic folks must be scared
                                                                  out of their wits. How many seconds 'til jump time?"
                                                                  "Ten seconds,Jess! Good luck and be careful!"
                                                                  "Thanks,Cap!" Jesse answered and signaled to his
                                                                  crew to get ready by holding up ten fingers.
                                                                  "Damn! Ten seconds!" Cowboy uttered.
                                                                  Cindy taped Andy on the top of his helmet. He turned
                                                                  and smiled.
                                                                  "I love you,Andy!" Cindy yelled,knowing he could
                                                                  hardly hear her because of the sound of the engines.
                                                                  "And I love you,baby! See you down there. Please
                                                                  take care!"
                                                                  The (Jumping Fools) jumped one after the other in
                                                                  excellent order and soon were free falling into the
                                                                  fire.
                                                                  Jesse was the first to open his chute and then the
                                                                  others accomplished this without any misfortune.
                                                                  Jesse hit the ground and quickly got out of his
                                                                  parachute. The other smokejumpers soon gathered
                                                                  around him."Is everyone here and OK?"
                                                                  "Yes,chief,we're all here and ready!" Monica pointed
                                                      &nbs