Chapter One

Late November

Dixie smiled when she saw the tall dark-haired man walking down the hall. She closed the file she’d been working on and pulled her sweater on.

John Gage’s face brightened as he approached the nurses’ station in the emergency department at Rampart General Hospital.  The woman he’d spent the last four years getting to know had agreed to accompany him to lunch at a new restaurant. “Hi Dix,” Johnny smiled.

“Hi, Johnny,” Dixie returned the smile. “I’m ready to go.”

“Great,” Johnny watched as Dixie pulled her purse out of the locked cabinet. He escorted Dixie out of the hospital and to his car.

Dixie watched as Johnny pinched his nose between his eyes before slipping a pair of dark sunglasses on. “Are you still having headaches?”

“Yeah,” Johnny started his car and pulled out of the parking slot. “I have an appointment to see my eye doctor, but that’s not for another three weeks.”

“Maybe you should let Joe take a look at you,” Dixie was referring to Dr. Joe Early a neurologist at Rampart and a good friend to both.

“That’s okay, Dix. I’m pretty sure it’s just my eyes.” Johnny gave her a smile. “Besides, it could also be allergies or just some smoke.”

“Well, all right, but I’m going to keep an eye on you, John Gage.” Dixie gave Johnny a stern look.

Johnny chuckled, “Of course you will. What would I do with out ya, Dix?”

“Fall apart I suspect,” Dixie said softly.

They rode the rest of the way to the restaurant in silence. Each lost in their own thoughts.

Late the same afternoon

Johnny dropped Dixie off at the hospital so she could take her car to go home. He waved then pulled away from her. He had made plans to take her to a movie the next night. He rubbed his eyes again as he waited for the light to change. He was startled out of his reverie by a horn honking. He looked in the rear-view and saw Dixie behind him. He stuck his left arm out the window and waved as he turned left on the green arrow.

Once home, Johnny filled a glass with ice and water before taking several aspirins. The headache was back with a vengeance and he was more certain they were being caused by his vision. After downing the aspirins, he walked into the bathroom. Stripping, Johnny stood in front of the mirror looking at his now blood-shot eyes. He pressed gingerly on his face just under the eyes. He felt a small amount of swelling in his sinuses, so he took a Sudafed out of his medicine cabinet and swallowed the pill with water from the tap. He turned on the shower and waited for the temperature to regulate before stepping in. He leaned against the far wall and let the water run over his back. He felt the knots in his shoulders begin to loosen in the heat. He sighed as he reached for the bar of soap. He washed quickly then shampooed his hair. Drying off, Johnny felt a bit better. He dressed in shorts and a tank top and headed out to his living room.

He walked into his kitchen and refilled his glass with water and ice. He was checking on the contents of his freezer when he heard a soft mew sound. He looked down at the small grey kitten at his feet. “Well hello there Smokey, what’s ya doin’?” He reached down and stroked the kitten’s head behind his ears, “You gettin’ hungry?”

The kitten mewed in response to the petting and plopped down onto his side letting his master know he wanted his side rubbed. Johnny giggled and sat down on the floor next to the kitten. “You are so funny, Smoke. Come here.” He picked up the kitten and held him close to his face. The kitten had been a house warming gift from Roy DeSoto’s ten-year-old daughter, Jennifer. She thought that now that Johnny had a house of his own he needed a pet to help take away the loneliness. She was right.

Chapter Two

Station 51 the next day

Roy DeSoto walked into the station with a smile on his face. He had just spent the last two days catching up on household chores that just had to be done for his wife. He had painted the front bathroom, mowed and trimmed the lawn; he’d also cleaned the gutters out since the last storm had left water cascading down the window in the kitchen assuring a mess in the crawl space under the house. He washed both cars and pruned the rose bush in the front yard. He fell into bed both nights exhausted but happy. Now he was back to work and couldn’t wait for the first run to get him back in the swing of things.

Chet Kelly was sitting on the bench in front of his locker when Roy walked into the locker room. He was buttoning his shirt when he looked up, “Hey Roy how was your weekend?”

“Pretty good, Chet, how was yours?” Roy opened his locker and began changing into his uniform.

“Oh, all right. I helped Ma clean out the shed and garage. She wants to have a rummage sale next Saturday. I told her I had to work so I could get out of helping.” Chet Kelly lived in an apartment less than a mile from the house his mother and sister lived in.

“Pretty sneaky, Chet,” Roy finished changing. He was wondering where his partner was. It wasn’t like Johnny to be late to work, especially since he’d started dating Dixie. Roy had noticed that his partner matured during the past few months. It was a maturity that had done his wayward partner some good.

Johnny’s house same time

Johnny was cursing as he looked again for his car keys. He was certain he’d hung them on the key rack on the kitchen wall. He walked into the bedroom and rifled his jeans. He sighed when his hands closed on his keys. He then went through the rest of the pockets of the pants and pulled out a wad of cash and his wallet. He could have sworn he’d put them into the jeans he was now wearing. Once he had his keys and such, he headed for the door. His clean uniforms were hanging on the coat rack by the front door. He scooped them up as he raced out the door. He had made sure the kitten had plenty of food and water and a clean litter box before leaving, so he was certain everything would be fine for his new friend over the next twenty-four hours that he was going to be working.

Johnny finally made it out the door and into his Rover. He put on his sunglasses after starting the vehicle. He pulled out of the garage and thumbed the control to close the garage door. He sped down the lane and onto the main road heading out of his small neighborhood. He cursed again when he saw the time on the bank building on a corner while he waited for a stop light. He just knew he was gonna get it for being late.

Station 51 thirty minutes later

Johnny was panting as he raced into the station. “Sorry, Cap.” He called to his boss as he headed for the locker room and to change. He changed in record time and headed out to the day room.

“My office Pal.” Captain Hank Stanley called out to Johnny.

“Yes, Sir,” Johnny changed direction and headed for his captain’s office.

“Close the door, John.” Stanley said as he sat down at his desk.

“I’m sorry I was late, Cap. I just couldn’t find my keys.” Johnny started to explain.

“Hang on there.” Hank motioned for Johnny to sit down. “I got a call from Dixie this morning. She said she was able to get you in to see an Ophthalmologist this morning. I got the okay to take you and Roy out of service for two hours so you can get your eyes checked.”

“Aw, Cap. Man,” Johnny stood and started pacing. “I knew I shouldn’t have told her about the headaches. I also shouldn’t have said anything about my appointment with Dr. Benson.”

“Well, you’re going to be seeing a Dr. Jane Stacey this morning. Your appointment is for nine forty-five so you and Roy need to leave within the next ten minutes,” Hank watched as Johnny sank back down into the chair he’d just vacated.

“All right,” Johnny sighed just like a teen-ager who’d just been told to clean his room or else. Standing again, Johnny headed for the door. “Is that all, Cap?”

“Yes, John.” Hank watched the younger man leave. He could sympathize with him. He had just had his own eyes examined after suffering from headaches. He sighed then sat down to start on his paperwork. He figured he’d wait for the paramedics to return before telling Johnny what his assignment was going to be.

Rampart General
9:30 a.m.

Johnny walked into the hospital looking like he had just lost his best friend. He dragged his feet the whole way into the building.

“Here she is, Dr. Jane Stacey, fifth floor offices.” Roy turned to Johnny, “Let’s go, Junior.”

Johnny sighed and shuffled behind his partner. “I really hate this ya know.”

“Yeah, I know,” Roy stopped at the elevators and pushed the UP button. They waited for the elevator in silence.

Once on the fifth floor, it was easy to find the office they wanted. Roy practically has to push Johnny into the office.

“May I help you?” The young woman at the reception desk asks.

“Yeah, my partner here is John Gage and he has an appointment.” Roy spoke for Johnny.

“Yes, right here.” She smiles at the two men. “If you’ll just have him fill these forms out, the doctor will see him in just a few minutes.” She handed a clipboard to Roy.

“Thank you,” Roy took the clipboard and led Johnny to a chair. “Here, fill these out.” He thrust the papers at Johnny and snatched the pen out of the younger man’s shirt pocket. “Here,” He handed him the pen.

Johnny took the pen and began filling out the forms. He pinched his nose several times as he tried to focus on the small print. He finally gave up, “Here, you do it I can’t see the fuckin’ print.” He was getting really frustrated now.

“Okay, Johnny.” Roy took the papers and looked them over. He started checking boxes off of things that he knew his friend and partner had had over the years. He came to a halt when he came across Chicken Pox, “Hey Johnny, did you have the Chicken Pox when you were a kid?”

“Yeah, I had those, didn’t have the measles though. Come to think about it, I didn’t have the mumps either.” Johnny had closed his eyes and was gently rubbing them with the tips of his fingers. He then moved his hands to massage his temples.

Roy kept going down the list. “Let’s see, you’ve suffered from how many concussions over the years?”

Johnny opened his eyes and looked at Roy. “Too friggin’ many to remember.” He sighed.

Roy chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds about right,” He drew an arrow pointing to the back page and wrote a small note on that matter. He turned the sheet over, “How much do you weigh?” He had wanted to say about one-fifty, but wanted to verify.

“Last I checked I was a hundred and sixty-four,” Johnny said. He scratched his chest as he sat up straighter, “Does it really ask for weight?”

“Yup that and height. You’re what, six even?” Roy knew Johnny was taller than that.

“Six one and a half,” Johnny stretched, “Almost done?”

“Yup,” Roy clicked the pen and handed it to Johnny, “Here ya go.” He took the clipboard to the receptionist. “All finished, I hope you don’t mind that I finished it for him. He’s having difficulty seeing the small print.”

The lady smiled, “We’ve been trying to get the forms changed so that the print is larger, but well… --you know how hospital politics are.” She smiled at Roy.

Johnny was taken into the doctor’s office ten minutes later. He sat down in the chair and sighed. His eyes weren’t really hurting, but his head was pounding like a tom-tom. He was glad when the doctor turned down the lights.

“Well, Mr. Gage, let’s take a look at your eyes.” Dr. Stacey smiled at the paramedic.

“Sure, Doc, only can you call me John or Johnny please?” Johnny gave her one of his killer smiled.

“Okay, John, why don’t you take this and cover your right eye.” She watched as Johnny did as requested, “Now, can you read the fourth line on the chart?” She had left a light on over the eye chart on the far wall.

Johnny looked at the chart, “The fourth line?” he asked.

“Please,” She said.

Johnny took a deep breath, “E – T – V – uh D, no B – C – and Z.”

“Okay, now change eyes and read the third line.” She again turned to face the wall.

“Third line,” Johnny looked at the wall after covering his left eye, “P – C – Z – B – A”

He looked over to the doctor. “Well?”

“Let me take a closer look,” She pulled the large scary looking machine towards Johnny’s face. “Now, put your chin right there,” She guided Johnny into place. “All right, take a look at the wall and tell me which one looks better.” She then proceeded to check Johnny’s vision. Once the vision test was done, she repositioned Johnny for the glaucoma test.

Johnny did not like this test one bit. When the puff of air hit his right eye, he hissed. “HEY!”

“I know it’s a little bit uncomfortable Johnny, but this test is important.” She then tested the left eye with the same response from Johnny. “There, all finished.”  After turning back on the lights, Dr. Stacey noticed Johnny squinted. “Are your eyes light sensitive?”

“Yeah, never had that problem before though,” Johnny said as he rubbed his eyes.

“You shouldn’t be either. You have brown eyes, and people with brown eyes are far less sensitive to light than blue eyed people. Well, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. You do seem to have some possible allergies which are causing your eyes to water and itch. As for your vision, you are showing some early signs of near-sightedness. I think a month or two with some corrective lenses will do you a world of good. Would you prefer glasses or contacts?” She explained.

“Contacts? Really?” Johnny thought, “What about my job? I mean, what happens if I’m at a fire and all?”

“Well, you’d have to take out the lenses as soon as you get back to the station and wash them, other than that, you shouldn’t have a problem wearing them.” She smiled.

“Okay, if it’s only for a few months, I guess I can do contacts.” Johnny agreed.

“Fine, let me get some measurements of your eyes and write out the prescription. It will take three or four days to get them ready. Then we’ll get you in for a fitting.” She turned to a different machine and reset it. “Okay, look through here.”

Another ten minutes later Johnny sauntered out of the office with a goofy grin on his face. Roy looked up when he heard the door open. “Well?”

“Contacts,” Johnny sighed. “They’ll be ready next Tuesday.”

“Wow,” Roy stood, “So, how are you taking it?”

“Ah, it’s not too bad. I only have to wear them for a few months.” Johnny headed out into the hallway. “You wanna make us available?”

Roy thumbed the HT and made them available. “You gonna be all right?”

“Yeah, just have to put up with these pesky headaches for a couple more days.” Johnny pushed the button calling the elevator.

Chapter Three

Late January

Johnny sighed. His head was pounding again. He looked around the day room hoping he could sneak off to the locker room and take some aspirin. He didn’t see anyone paying any attention to him so he stood and walked out of the room leaving his crew mates watching another of Chet’s cheesy movies. Once in the locker room, Johnny pulled a bottle of aspirin out of his locker along with the cleaning solution for his contacts and the holder for them. He walked over to the sink and removed the lenses from his eyes and cleaned them. He then popped three aspirin into his mouth and cupped his hands to get some water. Shaking the water off his hands, Johnny looked at his reflection. “Well Gage, the eyes aren’t causing this one.” He again checked his sinuses by pressing under his eyes. He still felt some swelling, but no more than he’d felt over the past few weeks. He placed his contacts case in his locker and picked up the glasses case. He took this with him into the dorm. He undressed and made sure his bunkers were in place before crawling between the sheets and closing his eyes. He never remembered falling asleep.

Roy and Hank stood at the foot of Johnny’s bunk and watched the younger man.

“I’m getting worried Cap.” Roy said quietly. “He’s been having headaches for the past four months now and nothing seems to be helping.”

“What about his vision?” Hank asked.

“Well, the contacts seem to be helping. And he has glasses for when he’s giving his eyes a rest from the contacts, like after a fire. But I really don’t think this has anything to do with his eyes. He’s been late to work five times in the past two months, he was over at my house last week helping me paint Chris’s bedroom. I went to get some beers and when I returned, Johnny was just standing in the middle of the room staring off into space. When I spoke to him he snapped at me.” Roy had led Hank out of the dorm and into the bay. “Jo said that when she went over to Johnny’s house three weeks ago, Johnny snapped at her too. He had been in the shed working on the mower when she walked in. I guess she scared him.”

“Well, we’ll keep an eye on him.” Hank walked to his office and the last of the paper work from the last run the engine had been on.

Three hours later

The station was called out for a fire at two in the morning. Hank Stanley was standing by the engine talking to his supervisor when the call came over the HT.

“HT 51 to Engine 51,” Roy’s voice came over the radio.

“Go ahead 51,” Hank replied.

“Cap, Johnny’s down. Can you send in some help?” Roy was panting. He had watched helplessly as a chunk of the ceiling had fallen on his partner causing Johnny to drop the hose and fall unconscious to the ground.

“Where ya located Pal?” He asked. He turned to his superior.

“We’re on the second floor by the north fire escape. Two windows east of the fire escape door.” Roy had turned off the hose and was now kneeling next to his fallen friend.

“Hang in there Roy, help is on the way.” Hank called over the paramedics from Station 16. “Gage is down, DeSoto said they’re on the second floor by the north fire escape. If you go out the fire escape and enter from there, they’ll be just to your left.”

“Right, Cap.” Derrick Johnson gave a mock salute and pulled on his air tank on. “Come on Bradley, duty calls.” He was referring to his partner Brad Johnson.

“Coming dear,” Brad followed his younger partner.

The two headed around the building and began to climb the stairs on the fire escape. They reached the second floor and set down the stokes they had carried up with all the necessary equipment. “After you,” Derrick gave way for Brad to go through the window first.

They entered and turned their flashlights on to the floor. They found Roy sitting on the floor by their fallen comrade. “Okay, Roy, help’s here,” Derrick dropped down next to Roy to take over, “Brad, grab the O₂ and trauma box.”

“Right, boss.” Brad reached back through the open window and pulled the stokes closer. He grabbed the needed equipment and headed back to his partner. “Here ya go. Let’s get him out of here.”

“Good idea.” Roy said. He wiped his brow and picked up Johnny’s helmet. “I’ll bring the stretcher in.” He walked over to the window more to catch a breeze then anything else. He caught his breath and grabbed the stretcher. Once he had that in and over to where Brad and Derrick were, he could take a deep breath, “Just got the call. We need to wrap and run.” He knew Johnny still wasn’t breathing on his own but he also knew time was of the essence.

The two junior paramedics got Johnny strapped in and out the window. They hurried as quickly as they could down the fire escape. Once safely on the ground and far away from the burning building, they started working more aggressively on Johnny.

Three days later

Johnny woke up with a gasp. The room was dark. As the man’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he looked around. “Where am I?” he thought as he rubbed his left hand across his bare chest. The door to the room opened and a nurse entered the room.  “Where am I?” His voice croaked as he spoke.

The nurse frowned slightly, “You’re at Rampart General Hospital.”

“Oh,” Johnny lay back on the bed. Something was tickling at the back of his brain.

Dr. Joe Early walked into the room with a cheery smile, “I heard our star patient was awake. How are you doing this morning, Johnny?”

Johnny looked at the doctor, “My head hurts.”

“I bet it does,” Joe smiled. “You remember what happened?”

“No,” Johnny shook his head.

“Well, you took quite a knock on the head at a fire.” Joe flicked on his pen light and started to look into Johnny’s eyes.

“HEY!” Johnny yelled.

“I’m sorry Johnny, but I need to get a look at your eyes.” Joe examined the eyes as quickly as possible. He clicked the light off. “Well, the swelling’s gone down a bit. Do your eyes hurt?”

“Nah,” Johnny scratched his chin, “Where’s my glasses?” He looked around the room. “Don’t tell me I busted them.”

Brianne smiled, “Don’t worry Johnny, Roy has them.”

“Uh, thanks,” Johnny couldn’t honestly recall the pretty nurse’s name.

Joe turned to leave. “Well, I’ll leave you here in Miss Williams’ capable hands Johnny. You get some rest. You should be able to go home tomorrow.”

“Thanks Doc.” Johnny leaned back into the pillow and closed his eyes. He was asleep in minutes.

Chapter Four

Early April

Johnny called in sick for the third time in two weeks. He just couldn’t hold anything in his stomach and the headaches were getting worse. He lay back on the couch and pulled the afghan closer to his body. He had been running a low grade fever for the past three days and today it took the opportunity to spike. He knew he needed to go see a doctor, but didn’t have the strength to even dress let alone attempt to drive to Rampart. Nor did he really want to see a doctor. He didn’t want to admit that he was getting worried.

He picked up the phone and started to dial. He knew he had just called the number the day before but couldn’t remember what it was. He hung up the phone and picked up the small phone book he kept next to the phone. He put on his glasses and thumbed through the book. He stopped at the M’s. Once again picking up the receiver, he dialed the number.

Dixie McCall was scheduled off that day. She had planned to spend the day making preparations for the picnic she was going on with John Gage the next day. She was startled out of her thoughts by the ringing phone. “Hello?”

“Hi Dix,” Johnny spoke real slow and quiet.

“Johnny?” Dixie’s radar turned on. “Why aren’t you at work?” She looked at the clock to verify that he should be either at the station or almost there.

“Called in,” Johnny took a deep breath, “I don’t feel so good Dix.”

“Okay, tiger. You sit tight, I’ll be right over.” Dixie hung up then went to get dressed. She stopped long enough to call the hospital and talk to Dr. Kelly Brackett.  She then finished dressing and grabbed her purse before heading out of her apartment. She drove as quickly as she dared to Johnny’s house. Once there, she parked in the driveway but walked around to the back door. She knew that Johnny often left this door unlocked.  Walking into the house the first thing she noticed was that all the blinds and drapes were closed. “Johnny?”

Johnny was lying on the couch moaning softly. Beside the couch was a medium sized trash can. Johnny didn’t even have the strength to make it to the bathroom when his stomach rebelled. So he had utilized the trash can since early the night before.

Dixie stayed with Johnny the rest of the day taking care of the younger man. She was pretty sure that he was just suffering a bout of stomach flu that had been making the rounds lately.

Sure enough, Johnny was much better by evening, and was up to eating the next morning.

Dixie smiled as she watched Johnny sleeping. They had spent the evening talking and playing Scrabble. Johnny proved to be a formidable opponent and Dixie was surprised when she lost to the younger man. Now she was lying in his bed watching him sleep. Life just couldn’t get any better in her mind.

They spent the rest of Johnny’s time off together talking and having a good time.

Johnny and Dix returned to their jobs two days later both happy and healthy.

Five days later

Safeway Grocery Store

Dixie watched as Johnny walked slowly down the aisle. He had a small spiral notebook in his left hand and was running his right hand through his unruly hair. Dix was trying not to interfere since the last time she said anything her lover nearly took her head off with his scathing remarks. She moved up to walk beside the younger man. “Anything I can help you find?” She ventured.

Johnny looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Not saying anything, Johnny turned and looked from the list to the items on the shelves beside them. “I don’t know what I’m looking for.” He said quietly.

“Shh, it’s okay, Johnny.” Dixie took the notebook out of his hand and looked at it, “Let’s go down the next aisle for the cereal.” She took control of the cart and started walking away from Johnny. Johnny just stood there and stared at nothing.  This worried Dix more than the snappish behavior from an hour ago. She turned back towards the man, “Johnny?”

Johnny shook himself, “Huh?”

“Come on Tiger, we need to get this finished so we can get home and eat some lunch.” Dixie smiled at him.

“Okay, Dixie.” Johnny started walking back down the aisle with his head bowed.

“What is wrong with you?” Dixie asked no one.  No one answered either.

One week later

Roy watched as Johnny put the mower back in the shed. They had spent the morning mowing and trimming the yard and weeding the gardens. Both men were tired and sweaty. Roy wiped his brow as he moved toward the deck, “Want a beer?”

“Nah,” Johnny pulled his T-shirt out of his cut offs and using the bottom, wiped his face off, “Could go for some tea though.”

Roy chuckled, “Let’s go inside and talk to Jo. Maybe I can get her to make us some sandwiches too.”

The two friends walked into the house talking about work.

Joanne looked up when the screen door banged shut. “You boys finished?”

“Yes Ma’am,” Roy bent down and kissed his wife, “and we’re hungry too.”

“Well, you two go wash up and I’ll make you some lunch.” Jo stood and walked to the counter. She started making some lunch while Johnny and Roy went to the sinks and started scrubbing their hands and faces.

Roy plopped down in his chair at the head of the kitchen table and sighed. “Where’s the kids?”

“They’re over at the Jarmen’s playing with Greg and P.J.” Jo set a plate of sandwiches on the table.

“Oh,” Roy picked up a ham and Swiss sandwich.

Johnny ate one of the sandwiches then pushed back from the table. “That was good, thanks Jo.” He stood and headed outside.

Roy looked at Jo and shrugged, “I know. I’ll talk to him.” Kissing his wife he picked up two glasses and took them outside, “Hey Johnny.”

Johnny looked at Roy, “Huh?” He had been lost in thought.

The kids came tearing through the back yard with Greg and P.J. hot on their tails. “YEAH,” Christopher shouted, “I beat ya.” He started laughing at the look on Greg’s face. “Hey man I told ya I was faster than you.”

“Yeah, but ya didn’t hafta go and prove it.” Greg sat down on the grass, “Hi Mr. DeSoto.”

“Hello, Greg.” Roy looked at his daughter and her friend, “Hi Paul John,” Roy took pleasure in torturing the boy over his name. He always got a giggle from his kids over that too.

“DAADDEE!” Jennifer stood on the grass with her legs akimbo and her hands on her hips looking more like her mother. “His name is Pee Jay, not Paul John.”

“Yeah, just ‘cus I’m Catholic don’t mean I was named after the Pope or sumthin’.” P.J. groused. He too was ten years old, just three months older than his friend.

“Nah, punk, Mom named ya P.J. ‘cus she couldn’t think of anything else.” Greg threw his opinion in.”

“You take that back!” P.J. launched himself at his thirteen-year-old brother.

Johnny had been watching the exchange with a small smile on his face, but now he looked furious. He jumped down from the deck to land right next to the two fighting boys. He reached in and yanked them apart. “All right, that’s enough!”

Both boys looked at Johnny.

“What in the world is wrong with you?” Johnny shook both boys by their upper arms. He didn’t seem to see the looks of pain that crossed their faces. “Huh?”

“Nuthin’” Greg mumbled.

“You come over to your friends’ house and act like baboons. There’s no excuse.” Johnny continued shaking the boys.

Greg yanked his arm out of Johnny’s grasp. “You can’t yell at us.” He watched as his brother struggled to get out of Johnny’s grasp as well. “And let go of my brother.” He grabbed Johnny’s right arm and started tugging on it.

Roy looked at his friend wondering where the anger came from. “Let the boys go, John.”

Johnny looked at Roy then back at the boys. His brows furrowed as he thought. “Uh, sorry,” Johnny released his hold on P.J. and ran toward the house.

Roy and Joanne had tried several times to get Johnny to talk, but all the younger man would do was say ‘I’m sorry’, over and over. Finally, after thirty minutes of listening to Johnny apologize, Roy started getting angry. He pulled Johnny into the den and started tearing into the younger man. He watched as Johnny’s face first showed rage, then remorse. Roy sighed when Johnny sank onto the couch and dropped his head into his hands. “Are you all right, Johnny?”

“I don’t know, Roy.” Johnny sniffed and got his emotions back under control. After wiping his face and blowing his nose, Johnny headed for the door. “I’ll go home now.” He walked out of the room and the house.

Roy and Jo stood watching Johnny drive away. Jo turned to her husband, “Do you know what’s wrong with our friend?”

“No, but I do intend to find out.” Roy turned and walked back into the house.

Two weeks later

“I told you there’s nothing to talk about!” Johnny yelled at Roy as he stormed from the bay out to his Rover. They had had a rough shift and now Johnny felt that Roy was nagging him about the way he’d been acting over the past twenty-four hours. Johnny was tired of the questions and looks that he was getting from the men and women he thought were his friends.  He started the engine of his rover and squealed out of the parking lot leaving his co-workers standing in the lot coughing and choking on his dust and smoke.

“Roy?” Captain Stanley looked at his senior paramedic.

“I have no clue, Cap. He was fine the other day when he came over and helped me with Chris’s motor bike, and the mower. Although he did seem awfully quiet lately,” Roy scratched his head. “I just don’t know.” Shaking his head, he headed for his blue pick-up truck and climbed in. He rolled down the window before starting the engine, “If I can get him to talk Cap, I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Good luck, Roy.” Hank got into his car and started the engine. He waited for the rest of his crew to leave the lot before turning off the engine and getting out. He walked back into the station and headed for the office.

“Thought you were leaving Hank,” Jeremy Knox, C-Shift captain said.

“I just have to make a quick phone call.” Hank picked up the phone and dialed. He talked to the other person for several minutes before disconnecting

“Trouble with Gage?” Knox asked. He had heard that the younger paramedic had been having some troubles lately.

“Yeah, I’m not sure, but something’s wrong with that boy. And I fully intend to find out what and get it fixed.” Hank stood and stretched, “Well, I better get home before the wife reports me AWOL.” He smiled as he left the station.

Part 2