It was an unusually cool but sunny May morning in Los Angeles and it was starting out to be like any ordinary day, or so Roy thought. He had gotten in the middle of a traffic jam that morning and after he finally made it to Station 51, he pulled his truck into his usual parking spot. As he looked at his watch, he was relieved to see he still had time to spare before his shift started.

"7:50 a.m. Ten minutes to spare. I'm really pushing it but traffic was murder." Roy thought to himself.

As he reached over for his jacket, he glanced out his window and noticed that Johnny wasn't there yet. He didn't think anything about it, at first, since it wasn't all that unusual for Roy to get to work before his partner.

"I hope you aren't gonna be late again Junior. That'll make it three days straight and unless you're stuck in traffic, Cap will have your head."

As he got out and walked toward the station, he started having an uneasy feeling, one that he couldn't explain. Trying to shake it he entered the station and went into the locker room. After changing into his uniform he went into the kitchen for a cup of coffee.

"Morning guys, how are you this morning? I noticed Johnny hasn't got here yet."

"Morning Roy." all his friends answered.

"Doing all right. Nope, John isn't here yet, guess he's running late again. Didn't he have a date with that new nurse from Rampart last night? What's her name, Stephanie...oh what is it Stephanie...well, whatever it is. Oh man, she's one good-looking chick. I still can't believe she would go out with...with Gage of all people. Sometimes that man is unbelievable." Replied Chet, still wondering how Johnny had managed to get a date with a girl like Stephanie.

"Hensley, her last name is Hensley Chet. Well, the way I see it, she either felt sorry for him and finally agreed to a date, as many times as he asked her out or she really likes him and was just playing hard to get. I think he said something about hopefully going out with her again tonight to."

Seeing the worried look on Roy's face, Marco asked, "Roy, what's wrong? So Johnny's a few minutes late, that's nothing new. Maybe he just got stuck in traffic or he could be having car trouble and hasn't been able to get to a phone."

Mike looked up from the morning paper and added, "Johnny should be here in a few minutes. If he did go out on his date he probably overslept this morning. I'd be willing to bet he's still in bed, where I wish I was. You shouldn't worry Roy, Johnny's okay."

The three friends tried to put the paramedic's mind at ease. They tried to convince Roy that Johnny was fine and would walk through the door any minute. Even though Roy tried, he was not as optimistic as his friends were.

"Yeah I suppose you guys are right, he should be here soon...I hope. I guess I should stop worrying about him so much but I've got a funny feeling about this. I just feel as if something is wrong." Roy replied.

Roy and Johnny had been partners and best friends for nine years now, and being as close as they were they could always sense when something was wrong with the other one. And of course, Roy knew there was no way he could ever stop worrying about his partner. Johnny just brought out that side of him, constant worrier.

As he took a seat at the table and took a sip of his coffee, Roy couldn't shake the feeling he had, but hoped Johnny would soon arrive at the station...safe and sound. As the morning wore on and there was still no sign of or word from Johnny, Roy began to worry even more. As he finished cleaning the kitchen, he thought of the phone call he'd had with his partner the night before.

"I'm telling you Roy, this girl is incredible. She's smart, outgoing, has a great sense of humor and of course I can't leave out the fact that she's beautiful. Plus we have so much in common. She's my kind of lady and tonight I plan on taking her to the best restaurant in town."

Roy laughed as he remembered Johnny telling him the exact same thing about every other girl he had ever dated. For what seemed like the hundredth time, Roy looked at the clock on the wall, 10:15 am.

"Partner, you really know how to make somebody worry."

Hearing his Captain calling him brought him out of his thoughts.

"Hey Roy."

"Yeah Cap?"

"Come here a minute will ya?"

Roy laid the cleaning supplies down on the table and went to Cap's office.

"I'd hate to be in your shoes Johnny cause when you do show up Cap's gonna give you latrine duty for the rest of your career. And you'll never hear the end of it from Chet...then I'll never hear the end of it from you." Roy mumbled to himself.

"What's up Cap?" he asked as he entered the office, even though he already knew.

"Hasn't that partner of yours showed up for work yet?" Cap asked.

"No, he hasn't and I'm really getting worried. Cap, this just isn't like him, he's never been this late and not at least called to let us know."

"Yeah you're right, he usually does, and I sure hope everything's okay. But as hard as it is, let's try to stay calm and not worry until we have a reason to. Did he say anything about having to stop off somewhere before he come into work?"

"Well, I talked to him last night and he didn't mention having anything to do, of course, something could've come up this morning. About the only thing he kept talking about was the date he was going on with Stephanie last night. Anyway, I can't help worrying about him, after all this is Johnny we're talking about. I've unwillingly become an expert worrier because of him." Roy said.

"That you have pal, in fact we all have. He does have a way of making people worry about him, like now."

Leaning back in his chair and letting out a little laugh he continued, "Gage and his dates, I think the man needs to get married. Well, I certainly hope he had a good time and I also hope he has a good reason for being late. But his date with Stephanie isn't gonna cut it."

"I'm sure he has a good reason and he'll probably be here any minute. Like Marco said, he's probably stuck in traffic so I hope we're all worrying for nothing. If he doesn't show up pretty soon I'll try calling his place one more time and I'll try his landlady. I'd hate to have her worry but maybe she's seen him."

-------------------

About three miles away on a mostly deserted road, an MVA had occurred. A tractor-trailer had suddenly veered into the oncoming lane of traffic causing a car to swerve from its path. The driver, having lost control of his car went over the embankment and was thrown from the vehicle. Bleeding, hurt and dazed, he finally opened his eyes, not knowing how long he lay there.

"Help me...somebody...Roy...Cap...I need help...I'm gonna...gonna die..."

As he struggled to focus his eyes he heard a voice, somehow familiar, but from his past, and saw a misty figure appear before him.

"Johnny. John Roderick Gage, I never thought you'd give up so easily."

"What...who's there...Shawna is...is that...you...help me please...I don't...don't want to die...Roy...where...are you...I'm...I'm get...getting cold...please guys...gotta...find...me..."

Johnny's voice trailed off as he started to wonder why he had picked today to take a short cut to work. As he became weaker from his blood loss and other injuries, he hoped his friends would soon find him as he closed his eyes and gave back into the darkness.

-----------------

So far the morning had been a quiet one, no calls and that gave Roy more time to worry about his friend. Although Roy was thankful for slow days, he was hoping for something, anything, any kind of run to help take his mind off of Johnny, if only for a little while.

Roy again glanced at the clock, 10:35 a.m. and as he sat down at the Cap's desk he let out a sigh and slowly picked up the phone, hoping his partner would finally walk through the door.

"Hello...Mrs. Johnson...this is Roy DeSoto, Johnny's partner...I'm fine and you...good...listen, I hate to bother you but the reason I'm calling is I was wondering if you had seen Johnny this morning...you did...okay well...no, well at least I hope not...I don't want to worry you but Johnny hasn't shown up for work yet...yes, I'm sure he is...of course I will...when he shows up I'll be sure to have him call you...please don't worry, I'm sure he's fine...okay, you to...good-bye."

Hanging up the phone, the feeling he'd been having all morning was getting stronger. As he dialed Johnny's number, somehow he knew Johnny wouldn't be home and that something was wrong.

"Two and a half hours. Johnny, were are you, why haven't you at least called?" Roy asked himself.

After letting the phone ring for what seemed like forever, he hung up as Dwyer walked into the office.

"Hey Roy. Johnny still hasn't got here?"

"Hi Dwyer, no not yet. I called his place again, no answer. I called Mrs. Johnson and she said that she passed Johnny in the hallway as he was leaving for work this morning. So why hasn't he got here, where could he be?"

Roy just couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with his friend.

Cap walked back into the office and with concern in his voice he asked, "Roy, were you able to reach Johnny?"

"No Cap, he isn't home. His landlady said she saw him as he was leaving this morning but if he was sitting in traffic he should be here by now...shouldn't he?"

Roy didn't know if he should be mad at Johnny because he didn't bother to call or worried because he couldn't call.

Just then the alarm sounded. "Station 51, traffic accident with injuries, East 23rd Hampton Road, East 2-3 Hampton Road, ambulance is responding, time out, 10:38."

"Station 51 10-4, KMG365." Cap replied to the dispatcher.

As the squad and engine pulled out of the station, Roy began fearing the worst and many questions started going through his mind.

What if it's Johnny, how seriously is he going to be injured, is he even still...? Stop it DeSoto, you don't know that it is Johnny.

Roy mentally slapped himself as he tried to concentrate on the rescue that awaited him.

No, wait a minute, how could it be Johnny, he never takes that road to work. I'm just worrying for nothing. But...if he were running late, which is typical for that partner of mine, he might have taken it. After all, it would be a short cut. Nah, it isn't him. We would have heard before now if it were Johnny. But it is a deserted road, not many people travel it so it could be him. Why am I doing this...I'll just wait till I get there instead of making myself crazy over it.

Although Roy was trying to convince himself that it wasn't Johnny, he wasn't succeeding. Even though he knew he had seen Johnny hurt before, he didn't know if he could go through it again, nor did he want to. And for the time being he didn't want to think about it. He only hoped that it wasn't his best friend.

As the crew approached the accident, Vince stepped up beside the engine as Mike brought it to a stop.

"LA, Station 51 at scene."

"10-4 51, 10:48."

"Vince, what have you got?" Cap asked as he exited the rig.

"I've got a truck that lost control and went into the oncoming lane of traffic, fortunately there was only one car in that lane. Looks like the driver lost control trying to avoid him and his car went down over the embankment. He was thrown out, but with him being so far down I can't see how badly he may be injured. I don't think the truck driver made it though, looks like a possible heart attack."

"Okay Vince thanks. Can you keep those people back?"

"You got it Hank. All right folks, let's get out of the way, there's nothing to see here. Come on, step back and let the firemen do their job." Vince said as he moved back the people that had started to gather.

As Hank and his men were about to make their way over to the edge of the embankment, Vince grabbed Cap's arm as he said, "Hank wait, the victim in the car...I hate to be the one to tell you this but...it's Johnny."

Upon hearing this, the crew ran over tot he edge of the embankment and stood in stunned silence at what they saw. Time seemed to stand still as they saw their colleague, their friend, lying at the foot of the embankment about ten feet from the wreckage. Seeing Johnny made Roy shiver.

"Johnny. Hang on partner, I'm on my way." he whispered.

Cap noticed the look on Roy's face and asked, "Roy, you alright? Roy!"

Finally answering him Roy said, "Yeah Cap, I'm okay. I have to get to him; he needs me. Come on Dwyer, let's go get our gear and get down there to him."

Roy quickly headed for the squad to get the needed equipment with Dwyer following close on his heels.

Marco spoke up, "Cap, we got a lot of smoke down there!"

Stanley began shouting out his orders, "Chet, take down a reel line and spray the car down. I don't want it catching fire. Marco, go check the truck driver then get the backboard and stokes ready, Mike, secure two lifelines to the front of the engine for DeSoto and Dwyer then secure one for bringing up the stokes!"

"Right Cap." the men answered in unison as they went about their assigned tasks.

After a moment Marco came back to his Captain and said, "Cap, the truck driver...he didn't make it."

"Okay Marco, thanks."

Cap got on the HT to LA, "LA engine 51, respond another ambulance to our location. We have two victims, one is a Code I the other, a Code F. Also respond a tow truck."

"10-4 51."

Roy and Dwyer got what equipment they knew they would need, drug and trauma boxes and the biophone and set them on the ground. Marco got the backboard and stokes and leaned them up against the squad. Cap got on the biophone and opened the link with Rampart.

"Rampart, this is squad 51 how do you read?"

Dr. Brackett's voice came over the biophone, "51 this is Rampart, go ahead."

"Rampart, we have two victims of a traffic accident. Victim one is DOA, victim two is inaccessible at this time, please stand by."

"10-4 51 we're standing by."

Roy and Dwyer got their safety belts and after putting them on and securing themselves to the lifelines, they made their way down to Johnny. As they came closer to the Land Rover, Roy noticed how badly damaged it was and he sent up a silent thank you that Johnny had not been inside. After reaching his partner Roy saw that Johnny was unconscious and bleeding badly from a wound on his head.

"Marco, send down the stokes!" Dwyer shouted.

"On the way!" Marco shouted to them.

Mike and Marco tied a rope to the stokes, placed the backboard and c-collar inside and sent them down.

Dwyer took out the collar and said, "I'll put this on him, you have the backboard ready."

"Okay, let's do this real easy."

After applying the collar they slowly rolled Johnny over and got him positioned on the backboard.

"Johnny, you hang on, we're gonna get you out of here." Roy told him softly.

Johnny never made a sound. They pulled the straps around their patient and secured them. After spraying down the car, Chet walked over to his friends and looked at Johnny and noticed how pale he was.

"Roy, he doesn't look too good, is he gonna be alright?"

Roy tried to be optimistic as he looked at his friend and said, "Sure Chet, he'll be okay. I don't know what kind of internal injuries he may have and he's lost a lot of blood just from his head injury but we're gonna get him out of here and he'll be just fine."

Noticing the car again Roy added, "But I do know one thing, by the looks of his car, being thrown from it may have saved Johnny's life, at least for now. I think we've got everything under control here, why don't you go on back up and see if the others need any help."

"Right Roy. Johnny, you hang in there buddy." Chet said as he gently touched Johnny on the shoulder.

"Man, I sure hope he's gonna be okay." Chet whispered to himself as he left to go help the others.

Looking down at the battered, still form of his partner, Roy echoed Chet's statement, "Me too Chet, me too."

Roy and Dwyer gently laid the backboard inside the stokes and secured Johnny inside for the trip up the hill.

"Okay Cap, pull us up!" Roy shouted.

"Okay Michael, back it up, slow!"

Mike slowly backed up the engine as he brought Roy, Dwyer and Johnny up.

Cap held up his hands and shouted, "A little more...more…easy Mike easy...okay...hold it!"

Reaching the top and sitting the stokes on the ground, Roy immediately started talking to Johnny, trying to get him to wake up.

"Johnny, can you hear me...can you open your eyes for me?"

But still there was no response. The rest of the men gathered around Roy and Dwyer to see how badly Johnny had been injured as Roy took off the straps so he could examine his friend.

"Dwyer, hand me the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and I'll get his B/P. Also give me a curlex and a pad, he's bleeding pretty bad from his head and I need to try to stop it."

Dwyer handed Roy the requested items and after wiping away as much of the blood and dirt from Johnny's face and head as he could, Roy bandaged Johnny's head and took his B/P. Dwyer checked pulse, pupils and respirations and for any broken bones. Roy got on the biophone to Rampart.

"Rampart, this is squad 51, how do you read me?"

Drs. Brackett and Early were both at the base station. Upon hearing the tenseness in Roy's voice, they knew that something must be wrong, and they feared it was probably Johnny.

"Go ahead 51, we read you loud and clear." replied Brackett.

"Rampart, again we have two victims of a traffic accident. Victim one is DOA. Victim two is a male, approximately 31 years old. Patient is unconscious. The vehicle he was driving went down a thirty-foot embankment and he was thrown from the vehicle and has a deep laceration on the left side of his head extending to just over the left eye. Pupils are unequal, left pupil is more dilated than the right and they are only slightly reactive to light. His skin is cold and clammy and he may also have a concussion. He does have several abrasions and contusions to the face and neck due to the broken glass from the windshield. We do have the bleeding under control at this time."

"Roy, his abdomen is distended and there's guarding and tenderness, he has a possible fractured right tib/fib and he may be suffering from hypothermia." Dwyer reported.

"Rampart, the abdomen is distended, there is guarding and tenderness, possible internal bleeding. Also he has a possible fracture of the right tib/fib and may be suffering from hypothermia. Rampart, be advised...be advised that the victim...is John Gage."

Both doctors looked at each other, not believing what they had just heard. "Kel no, it can't be Johnny, not again." Joe said.

"51, could you please repeat?" Brackett asked, still in disbelief but hoping that he and Joe had heard wrong.

After Roy got his emotions together he finally answered, "Doc...the victim is Johnny."

"Yes Joe, it's Johnny...again. What are his vitals 51?" Brackett asked.

"Rampart, vital signs are, B/P is 80/60, pulse is 120, weak and rapid and respirations are 20 and shallow. There seems to be only minimal difficulty with his breathing at this time and there may also be some broken ribs." Roy reported.

"51, check for breath sounds."

"Stand by Rampart."

Dwyer checked for breath sounds. "Normal breath sounds on the left and it sounds as if he's having a little trouble on the right, they're slightly diminished."

"Rampart, normal breath sounds on the left with slightly diminished breath sounds on the right."

"Roy, he's starting to come around." Dwyer said.

"Stand by Rampart, Johnny's starting to come around."

"10-4 51, we're standing by." Brackett said.

--------------------------

Everyone was relieved as Johnny started to come around.

Agitated, he began to struggle and cry out for his best friend. "R-Roy...help me...Roy...gonna...die…please don't...let...me...die..."

Trying to calm his partner Roy said, "Johnny, Johnny, I'm right here and I am not going to let you die. Can you hear me? You're okay, Johnny. Calm down and don't fight me. Open your eyes for me and look at me partner."

"Roy...where...where are...you...why...why won't...you help.... me...!" Johnny screamed, still not aware of where he was.

"I'm right here Johnny. I'm here and I'm going to help you. You're okay now and everything's gonna be just fine. Calm down, we're here to take care of you."

As his foggy brain began to clear and finally let him hear his best friend's voice, Johnny realized that he was safe and he started to relax.

In a low, barely audible voice Johnny spoke, "Take care...Roy...where...am I...what...what's wrong...with me..."

"You were hurt in a car accident but you're safe now. Don't you remember anything that happened?"

"No...I don't...remember...a car...accident...Roy...before you...found...me...know who...I saw..." Johnny asked.

Looking at his friend with concern and worry Roy asked, "No, who did you see?"

"I...I saw...Shawna...I...tried to...to get her...to stay with me...she...she wouldn't...think she...might...want me...to go...with...her...Roy...it hurts...make...make it stop..." Johnny begged.

"Just take it easy Johnny, we'll be at Rampart soon. Tell me where you hurt."

Just then Johnny had a severe pain in his stomach.

"All...all over...my belly...is about to...kill me...do some...something please...I'm cold...Roy..."

Roy couldn't bear to see his best friend in so much pain. "We're doing all we can right now, just hang on partner."

Turning to Stoker he said, "Mike, get me a blanket pack from the squad."

"You got it Roy, be right back."

Johnny's voice could hardly be heard as he began to lose consciousness. "R-Roy...I...I see...Shawna...she's right...next...to you...Roy...she's back...for...me..."

"Johnny, I want you to relax, you have to rest and get well. I must go now but I'll be back." Johnny heard the voice say.

Kneeling down beside Roy, Cap asked, "Roy, is he alright, who is he talking about?"

"It's his head injury Cap, he's a little out of it. Shawna was his cousin and she passed away when they were teenagers. They were pretty close and he's never really gotten over it. He blames himself for what happened to her."

Johnny suddenly became agitated again. He reached up his hand and said, "No...you came...to...get me...I'm...ready...want to...go with...you...don't...don't leave...me again...please..."

Realizing what his partner meant Roy whispered to himself, "No you aren't ready Junior, not if I can help it."

Placing one hand on his partner's shoulder and holding his hand with the other one Roy calmly said, "Johnny, you have to calm down and lay still, we're not going..."

But Roy had no time to finish. Johnny's hand went limp as he slowly closed his eyes.

"Johnny...Johnny!" Roy cried out.

Feeling for a carotid and not finding one Roy yelled, "Mike, forget the blanket, get the defibrillator, he's gone into cardiac arrest!"

Roy started CPR while Cap got on the biophone to Rampart. "Rampart, this is squad 51, Johnny has gone into cardiac arrest and we are beginning CPR!"

"Come on partner. Please don't do this, fight it!" Roy told him.

Whispering to himself he said, "I won't let her have you, not this easy and not without a fight!"

Stoker brought the defibrillator and Dwyer patched Johnny in as Roy continued CPR.

"Defib 51, 400 watts seconds and send me a strip as soon as you can!" Brackett ordered.

After applying gel to the paddles, Roy placed them on Johnny's chest and shocked his best friend, making his body jerk. Roy looked at the scope and he didn't like what he saw.

"Still V-fib. Again 400. 1...2...3...4 CLEAR!" Roy shouted as he shocked his friend again.

Again checking the scope Roy let out a sigh of relief and said, "We have a normal sinus rhythm, with spontaneous respiration."

Taking the phone from his Captain, Dwyer relayed the information to Rampart.

"Rampart, we have defibbed times two, we now have a normal sinus rhythm with spontaneous respiration. We have Johnny patched in and we'll be sending you a strip, this will be lead 2. Also Rampart, Johnny was complaining of severe abdominal pain."

Brackett received the strip and with a sigh of relief he said, "I concur 51, normal sinus rhythm. Johnny's looking good, get me a new set of vitals."

"10-4 stand by."

A moment later Dwyer relayed the vitals to Rampart.

"Rampart, we have a new set of vitals, B/P is now 70/50, pulse is up to 125, still weak and rapid and respirations are the same, 20 and shallow."

"10-4 51, apply anti-shock trousers, start two large bore IV's, one with D5W TKO, the other with Ringers Lactate and hang a lidocane drip. Immobilize fracture, put him on oxygen if needed, keep him as warm as possible, keep monitoring his heart rhythm and get him in here fast!"

"10-4 Rampart, ambulance just arrived, ETA is twenty-five minutes."

"10-4 51, bring him straight to treatment two...we'll be waiting." Brackett replied.

Roy and Dwyer did as Brackett ordered.

"Okay, let's load him up. Dwyer, I'm gonna ride in with him." Roy said.

Pushing a piece of Johnny's dark hair from his eyes Roy whispered, "Don't leave me now partner. Hang on, please hang on."

"Right, I'll bring the squad in and meet you there. Don't worry Roy, Johnny's gonna be all right."

Dwyer tried to reassure him as they loaded Johnny into the ambulance for the trip to Rampart. It would be the longest twenty-five minutes of Roy's life.

------------------------

"Johnny really knows how to scare people, doesn't he?"

"That he does Joe, that he does."

As Joe and Kel left the base station, Dixie came to her desk.

"Joe, Mrs. Reynolds's is going up to x-ray now. Have we got something coming in?"

"51 is bringing in an accident victim. Can you get treatment two ready?" Kel softly asked, not even looking up at Dixie.

"Yeah, sure, I'll get everything set up."

Looking back and forth between her friends Dixie asked, "Is everything all right...Kel, Joe, something's wrong, what is it?"

Kel shook his head and said, "Yes Dix, something is wrong. The victim 51 is bringing in...it's Johnny."

Stunned, she looked at Joe and Kel and said, "What...Johnny...well how is he, how did it happen?"

"All we know is it was a traffic accident and it doesn't look too good right now. Roy said that even though he only had slight difficulty with his breathing, he has abdominal and head trauma, possible concussion and.…"

Joe paused, looking at Kel wondering if he should tell her the rest.

"And.…what else Joe, you're not telling me everything. Please, I want to know."

Joe took her hand and said, "Dix, Johnny...Johnny went into cardiac arrest on them, but he's okay, he's fine. Roy was able to get him back and they'll have him here in about twenty-five minutes."

"I can't believe this...Johnny."

Out of all the paramedics in the county, Johnny and Roy had always been Dixie's favorites. Although she worried about both of them, she always worried just a little bit more about Johnny. The fact was everyone did because they knew that even though Johnny was careful while on the job, somehow accidents always seemed to find him. She remembered all the other times that Johnny had landed in the hospital, some serious, some not so serious and now it was happening again.

She thought of the last time she had seen the pair come into the hospital. Johnny must have been on another one of his crazy kicks because Roy had that "help me, he's driving me crazy " look on his face. The two paramedics were the best of friends and she knew that Roy would be devastated, as would all of Johnny's friends if Johnny didn't pull through.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Kel touched her shoulder and said, "Try not to worry Dix, we all know how tough Johnny is. He'll be okay...he has to be."

-------------------

Johnny slowly regained consciousness in the ambulance and still being a little disoriented he began to struggle as he tried to raise his hand. Seeing this Roy loosened the strap that held his partner's arm down.

As Johnny slowly raised his hand he asked, "Roy...is...is that...you...you won't...leave...me...will you...please don't... leave...me..."

Taking Johnny's offered hand and hearing the pain in his partner's voice, Roy tried to hold back his own tears as he softly answered, "Yeah partner, it's me. I'm right here and I'm not gonna go anywhere. Come on Johnny, you have to try to stay with me. You're gonna be alright, do you need anything?"

"Trying to...so...hard...I just...wanna sleep...I need...you...to stop...this...pain...I don't...feel too...good...starting to...hurt...when...when I...breathe...don't know...how...long I...can...keep...this up..."

As Roy placed a nasal cannula on Johnny and gave him 6 liters of O2 he said, "Take it easy, we'll be at Rampart in a few minutes. Let's put some O2 on you and see if it helps. Breathe as deep as you can and take slow breaths."

"I wish...I could...pass...out again...I...I hurt...all over...and I'm...so dizzy...my head...and leg...really hurts...Roy...I'm...I'm still so cold...this pain...can't...stand it...you know...I...may...may not...make...it...scared Roy...really...scared..."

As Johnny began to shiver more, Roy pulled the blanket up under his chin.

Roy squeezed Johnny's hand and said, "I know you're scared Johnny, I am to. I also know you hurt and you know if I could stop the pain I would, in a second. But I can't so I want you to just try to relax and take it easy. Johnny, you have to try and slow your breathing down."

Hoping to sound more confidant than he felt he added, "You're gonna make it Johnny, you are going to be okay. I don't ever want to hear you talk like that, I'm not about to let you die."

"Just being...realistic...I know...you'd stop...pain...if...if you...could...but Roy...gotta...tell ya...something...just don't...get...mad...'kay..."

"You don't have to worry Johnny, I won't get mad. What do you want to tell me?"

"Hate…to tell...ya...but...you're a...a...lousy...liar...but ya...do make up...for it...by...being...a great...friend...best...I've ever...had...always...remember that...just...just in case... something...happens..."

Johnny whispered as he managed a faint smile. Roy couldn't help but smile at what his partner said. Johnny had told Roy before that he couldn't tell a lie if he had to. The smile disappeared from Roy's face as the reality of the serious, possible life threatening injuries his partner had, came back to him. He knew that there was a good chance that he could lose his best friend, a fact that Johnny also realized.

Looking up, Roy saw that they were pulling into Rampart.

Fighting the tears that were coming, he looked back down at Johnny and said, "Yeah, I know, I'm just too honest but I've already told ya, nothing's gonna happen. And you're the best friend I ever had to. But hey, have I ever lied to you partner?"

"No...I guess...guess...not..." Johnny whispered.

"That's right, I never have and I don't think now is the time to start. You just hang on, we're here at Rampart and they're gonna fix you up as good as new. Trust me Junior, by the time they get done with you, you'll never even know you were hurt...just like all the other times."

"The etern...eternal...op...ti...mist..." Johnny whispered as he closed his eyes.

Roy quickly looked at the monitor and saw that Johnny was still in a normal sinus rhythm.

"God please, don't take Johnny from us. He's such a special person to all of us and we need him. None of us are ready to let him go." he silently prayed as the ambulance and squad backed into the entrance to the hospital.

Roy looked up and saw Joe, Kel and Dixie waiting for them.

"Here they come now." Joe said.

As they wheeled Johnny in Dixie tried to put on her most reassuring face, they all did, but it wasn't easy. It was never easy for them to see any of their friends hurt, but it was especially tough when it was Johnny. It had happened to him so many other times. She saw how battered Johnny was but she tried to put that out of her mind and just concentrate on helping to take care of her friend.

"Treatment two." Dixie told him.

As they entered the treatment room, Roy began filling the doctors in on Johnny's condition.

"Doc, on the way in Johnny started having more trouble breathing. I've got him on 6 liters of O2 but he lost consciousness as we were pulling in. His EKG is still normal but he was complaining of being in a lot of pain."

"Okay Roy, thanks. Dix, I want a new set of vitals then I want a CBC, ABG and Electrolytes drawn."

"Right away Joe." Dixie said as she took Johnny's vitals and prepared everything for the lab work. Roy and Dwyer were standing over in the corner trying to keep out of the way but Roy had to hold himself down to keep himself from going over to Johnny and trying to help.

"Joe, the B/P is 60/30, pulse is 130 and thready, respirations are 25, very shallow and labored. He's really having trouble breathing."

"Johnny...Johnny, can you hear me, where do you hurt?" Brackett asked.

Slowly coming around and trying to open his eyes Johnny said, “Huh...what...don't...feel...good..."

"Johnny, I know you don't feel good but you have to help us help you, open your eyes for me. Tell me where you hurt."

"Hurt...I hurt...all...all...over doc...but...my belly...my...leg hurts...and my...my head it...really hurts to...real dizzy...having...a little...trouble catching...my breath...oh man...make...make the room...stop...stop spinning...please...cold so cold...tired..."

"Don't worry Johnny, we'll make it stop. We'll take care of you, just hang in there."

Turning to Dixie he said, "He's diaphoretic, possible internal damage and a concussion. Where it was cool this morning he's suffering from hypothermia, he's also going into shock. Dix, call x-ray and get them down here stat. Then get another IV of warm normal saline started and take his temperature, we've got to get his body temperature back up."

"I'll get right on it Kel."

After calling x-ray, Dixie walked over to the treatment table with the warmed saline and thermometer. Smiling at her friend she said, "Johnny, I know you aren't going to like this but I need to get another IV started on you okay. I also need to get your temperature."

"Don't mind...the...the thermometer...but not...ano...another needle...please...I hate...hate needles...but...could...could Roy...do...it...easy...don't hurt...as much...please...Dix..." Johnny said as he smiled weakly.

"Ah, you take all the fun away from me, don't you. Sure Johnny, if you want Roy to do it, I'll let him." she smiled and said as she squeezed Johnny's cold hand and motioned for Roy to come over to the table.

As he slowly walked over, Dixie handed him the supplies and as he calmed his shaky hands he started the IV while Dixie took Johnny's temperature. Johnny didn't flinch as the needle entered the vein.

"Thanks...Roy..." Johnny whispered as Roy patted him on the shoulder.

"Kel, his temp is 86.2" Dixie said.

"Okay, thanks Dix. He's suffering from a mild case of hypothermia so let's get another blanket on him."

Joe leaned over Johnny and said, "Johnny, after some x-rays we'll get you started on blood and get you up to the OR. Just hang in there okay?"

"Yeah...okay...I'm hangin'...doc...but just...barley...why...still...so c-cold...just...get...get me...warm...never...been so...cold...in...my life..." Johnny said as he lay shivering and gasping for breath.

"It's from the blood loss Johnny, but we'll get you warmed up."

Looking at the nurse Joe said, "Let's get him started on blood now. Get me six units of O positive blood right away and have at least four more units ready for the OR."

The nurse nodded her head and went to get the blood. After Doctor Early started his friend on blood Johnny said, "Doc...my chest...is really...hurting...it's...getting hard...harder...to breathe..."

Just then the x-ray tech came through the door and Brackett told him, "Get a full skull series, chest, abdomen, C-spine and right tib/fib films."

Turning to Johnny he said, "Johnny, we'll take some pictures to see what is going on, it won't be much longer. Can you hang in there just a little bit longer?"

"Give...give it...my...best...shot...unless...Shawna comes...again..." Johnny said as he closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on his breathing.

"I want those films stat and keep him covered up as much as possible. Let me know immediately if there's any change in his condition."

Everyone went out into the hallway while the x-rays were being taken.

"Doc, is Johnny gonna be alright?"

"I can't say for sure right now Roy, but we're going to do everything we can. We'll just have to wait for the x-rays to see what we're up against. Who was Johnny talking about in there, he almost sounds as if he's ready to give up. That's not like Johnny." replied Brackett.

"Yeah, I know and I'm kinda worried. He's been talking that way ever since he regained consciousness. He thinks he's seeing his cousin and she died a long time ago." Roy sadly replied.

"Well, do they know how the accident happened Roy?" Dixie asked, hoping to change the subject.

"We don't know for sure, we haven't had time to find out yet. I think Cap was gonna talk to Vince and see if he could find out anything." Roy answered as he kept an eye on the door.

After a few minutes the door to the treatment room swung open.

"Doctor Brackett, the x-rays are done."

"Thanks, get those films to me right away!" Brackett ordered.

As everyone went back into the room they all noticed how pale Roy was becoming, as if he were going to pass out. But they knew how hard it was on Roy to see Johnny like this. Kel went over to Johnny and listened to his chest.

He frowned and looked up as Roy asked, "Doc, what's wrong?"

"There's almost no breath sounds on the right. He has a tension pneumothorax, his neck veins are distended and he's becoming more cyanotic. He needs a chest tube to get the air out of his chest. Dix, let's get a chest tube inserted before he goes into respiratory arrest."

Johnny reached up and grabbed Kel's arm and said, "Doc...no...no chest...tube...not...not while...I'm awake...I hurt...hurt enough...as...it is...please...don't..."

Trying to calm Johnny down Brackett said, "Okay, take it easy Johnny, calm down. If that's what you want I'll wait as long as I can. It's gonna get even harder to breathe, are you sure that's what you want to do?"

"Yeah...I'm sure...sounds...dumb...but I...just...hurt too...too...much...don't...want it..."

Roy could see the trouble Johnny was having just to draw a breath.

Hoping he could talk Johnny into it he said, "Johnny, come on partner you need it. Let Doc put it in, you'll be able to breathe better. I'll stay right here with you, I won't go anywhere and I promise it'll be over before you know it."

"No...hurts..." was all Johnny could say.

"Okay Johnny, calm down. It's up to you and if you don't want it then I can't do it, at least, not yet."

"Thanks...doc..."

A few minutes later the x-rays were brought in. Joe and Kel looked them over and neither Roy nor Dwyer liked the look on their faces.

"What is it?" Dwyer asked.

"The x-rays show that Johnny has several rib fractures, one punctured his right lung. He has a lacerated liver and left kidney and that's caused a lot of internal bleeding so we've got to get him to surgery now."

"And with all that blood from his spleen, it's hard to tell what other damage there might be. Unfortunately, there is a skull fracture and a severe concussion. I just hope the medication we can give him will keep us from having to do surgery. We'll keep a close eye on his intracranial pressure." Brackett said.

Johnny slowly lifted his hand as his eyes searched the room for Dixie.

"Dix." Johnny softly but breathlessly called out.

As Dixie stepped close to the treatment table and took Johnny's hand she said, "Yeah Johnny, I'm right here. What do you need?"

"Hey Dix...Roy...he...always says...I...I never...listen...I should...should've listened...to...to Brackett...he...was right...need...chest...tube...I can't...can't breathe...it hurts...Roy...she...she's...back...have...to go...I'm...sorry..."

Johnny's voice trailed off and with one long exhaled breath he lost consciousness.

----------------

"Shawna, is that really you?" Johnny asked as he felt himself floating.

"Yes John, it's me, I told you I'd be back. Have I really changed that much?"

Smiling at her Johnny said, "I always hated it when you called me John. No, you still look like you did the day..."

Johnny couldn't finish as the memories of that day came flooding back to his mind. He bowed his head and the tears started to come.

Shawna touched him on the shoulder and said, "The day I died? It wasn't your fault Johnny."

---------------------

"Johnny, can you hear me?" Dix asked.

The heart monitor showed v-fib.

"Joe, Kel, he's gone out on us, no pulse, he's gone into v-fib!"

"Johnny no, please don't do this!" Roy shouted as he took a step to go toward his partner.

But Dwyer pulled him back saying, "Roy, let's me and you go outside for a few minutes, there's nothing we can do for him. We need to stay out of their way and let them work."

"Yeah, but Johnny..."

Roy stopped short of finishing his sentence when he saw the look in Dwyer's eyes.

Dwyer shook his head, "Come on Roy, they can't do their job if we're in the way. They'll do all they can for him."

Dwyer had to force Roy out of the room and the door slowly closed behind them.

With tears in his eyes, Roy laid his hand on the door and said, "Dwyer, I can't lose Johnny, he's my best friend."

"I know Roy, but let's try not to think that way, okay. He's gonna pull through."

Roy leaned up against the wall and the two paramedics stood in silence, waiting, hoping and praying that Johnny would be all right.

As Kel started CPR on Johnny he said, "Joe, get the paddles ready, 400 watts/seconds."

"Paddles are ready Kel." Joe replied.

Brackett took the paddles from Joe. "Okay, 1...2...3...4 CLEAR!"

He defibbed Johnny and his body jerked.

Nothing.

---------------------

"Johnny, you have to go back now." Shawna stated.

"No, I want to stay with you. Isn't that why you're here, to take me back with you? I don't want to go back to the pain, please let me go with you." Johnny said, pleading with her to take him along.

"Johnny, I'm only here to help you through this. Now is not your time, you have to stay and help your friends, they need you. I promise I'll be back, you won't be alone." Shawna said as she disappeared again.

"No Shawna, please wait!" Johnny cried out as he felt himself floating back into his body.

---------------------

"Again, 400. 1...2...3...4 CLEAR!" Kel shouted.

Johnny came back to a normal sinus rhythm. They all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, we got him back. Let's get a chest tube in and get him intubated. We've got to get him up to surgery." Joe said.

"I'll go tell Roy and Dwyer what's going on, I'll be right back." Kel said as he left the room and they prepared Johnny for surgery.

Dr. Brackett walked out into the hall to talk to Roy and Dwyer. The look on Brackett's face made Roy fear the answer to the question he was about to ask concerning Johnny.

"Doc, is he...?" Roy couldn't finish and wasn't sure he even wanted to hear the answer.

"No Roy, he's still with us. It took a couple of times but we got him back." Kel replied.

"What made his heart stop like that doc?" Dwyer asked.

"Well, with his punctured lung, the blood loss, and the shock, his heart had to work harder just to keep him alive and I guess it couldn't do it anymore so it stopped. We've inserted a chest tube to drain the air and fluid from his chest and that will ease his breathing quite a bit. But with his vitals being so unstable along with all the pain he's in, I'm afraid that there may be more damage than what we're able to see on the x-rays." he told them.

"But, he is gonna be okay, right?" Roy asked.

"I won't lie to you Roy, he's been through a lot and he is critical. We're getting him ready for surgery and we'll try to stop the bleeding and repair the damage. But right now, it's really too soon to tell."

"Can I see him alone for just a few minutes before you take him up?" Roy begged.

"We really need to get..."

Kel didn't finish when he saw the look of despair in Roy's eyes. He knew Roy needed to see Johnny.

"Okay, but only a few minutes Roy, we have to get him to surgery."

"Okay, I won't stay long. I know he's unconscious but I need to talk to him and hope that he can hear me. I have to make him know that he'll be okay, give him something to fight for."

Brackett led Roy back into the room and motioned for Joe and Dixie to leave Roy alone with Johnny. As they walked out of the room Roy slowly walked over to the treatment table. He almost couldn't stand the sight of his friend, he was so pale and on a respirator with tubes and lines running out of him.

Roy didn't really know what to say, not knowing if Johnny could hear him or not so he spoke what was in his heart, in case his friend could hear him.

Taking Johnny's hand he said, "Johnny, you are gonna make me go gray before my time, but I guess I can live with it as long as I know you'll be okay. I'm not ready to let you go Johnny, none of your friends are, so you have to fight, with everything you have to beat this. I can't lose my best friend and brother Johnny, so fight this, please. Don't give up now partner."

Roy heard the door open and turned to see Brackett standing in the doorway.

Walking over to Roy he said, "It's time we took him up Roy."

Turning back to face Johnny, he said, "Well, they're here to take you up to surgery so I have to go. They'll take real good care of you Johnny, you just do your part and help them out okay. You'll be fine Junior."

Roy gently laid Johnny's hand back down and giving it a light squeeze he turned to leave.

Kel put his hand on Roy's shoulder and told him, "We'll do everything we can for Johnny. Try not to worry."

Roy half-heartedly smiled at Brackett and walked out of the room.

---------------------

Up in the OR they quickly got to work on Johnny. "Let's open him up and check out the damage." Brackett said.

"We're ready." Joe told him.

"Okay, scalpel."

"Start pumping in the blood, we're probably going to lose a lot." Joe said.

"Yes doctor." the nurse said as she pumped in the blood.

"Suction Joe, he's hemorrhaging. I can't see a thing."

Joe got the suction and began clearing away as much blood as he could, but Johnny was bleeding so bad that it wasn't helping much.

"Okay, there is more damage. The left kidney and the liver are lacerated and that's what's causing most of the bleeding. Let's take care of the liver first then we'll get the kidney and lung taken care of."

"Better make it fast, his B/P is beginning to drop." the anesthesiologist stated.

"What's his pressure?" Joe asked.

"Pressure is 65/25."

"He's going into shock. He's loosing more blood than we can get into him. Hang plasma and have it wide open and keep the blood going, we've got to get his pressure back up." Joe said.

"Okay, we got his liver repaired, hopefully that will buy us some time. Let's get the rest of the damage taken care of and get him closed up. Clamp, retractor, scissors." Kel said.

"What's his pressure now?"

"Pressure is now 75/40." he was told.

"Let's repair his lung, Joe, pull the retractor back a little more. Sutures. Okay, got it. Let's close him up and get him to recovery. Sutures, sponge." ordered Brackett.

"Call x-ray and get them down here. We need to check his intracranial pressure." Joe said.

They had saved Johnny's life but he still wasn't out of the woods yet. Now they had to find Roy and let him know how Johnny was.

---------------------

Dwyer had called the station to update the others as to what was going on.

As he came around the corner and met Roy, he handed him a cup of coffee and said, "Here's some coffee Roy. I called Cap to let them know the latest on Johnny's condition. He wants us to keep them posted on how he's doing. Have you heard anything else yet?"

"Thanks, I needed this. No, I haven't heard anything and they still have him in surgery. What could be taking so long?" Roy wanted to know.

Dwyer replied, "I don't know. Like Doc said, maybe there was more damage than what they first thought. But Johnny's in good hands and he'll be okay. We should hear something soon."

"It can be soon enough, this waiting is driving me crazy." Roy said as he continued to pace.

A few minutes later Brackett came out the door and started down the hall toward the paramedics. Roy saw him coming and met him half way.

"Doc, how's Johnny, is he okay?" he asked with a nervous tone in his voice.

Dwyer walked up behind Roy, anticipating the answer.

"I was right, there was more damage than what we first thought. His left kidney and liver was lacerated. But we got the bleeding stopped and the damage repaired. It took thirty-six stitches to close that hard head of his but he seems to be doing fine with that. His vitals are looking good and he seems to be holding his own for now. He's still critical but he does seem to be stabilizing."

"That's the best news we've heard all day. What about his lung and the leg fracture?" Dwyer asked.

"His lung seems to be doing fine, we repaired it and got it reinflated. But we'll keep him on the respirator till it heals. Dr. Peterson set his leg and since there were no complications he thinks it will heal fine. But after the surgery we rechecked his intracranial pressure and what has me concerned is the skull fracture and the swelling that is starting to occur."

"Will you have to operate?" Roy asked.

"I don't know yet, it'll be a few days before we know if the medication we're giving him will bring the swelling down. I'm hoping surgery is something we won't have to do."

"Can we see him?" Roy asked hopefully.

"Sure, but one at a time, okay."

"You go ahead Roy, I have to head back to the station. Cap knew you'd want to stay with Johnny so he called in a replacement for you. He got there while we were on the phone...its Brice." Dwyer said as Roy handed him his coffee cup.

Trying not to laugh Roy said, "Sorry Dwyer, but thanks."

"Hey, no problem, I guess I can put up with him. Let Johnny know that we're all thinking about him and let us know of any changes in his condition."

"Yeah, I will."

"This way Roy, he's in ICU."

Taking Roy to ICU and showing him where Johnny was, he said, "He's right in there. Don't worry, I think he'll be fine, besides, you know Johnny."

"Yeah I do. Thanks doc, for everything."

"Sure thing Roy."

------------------------

Roy walked over to Johnny's bedside and placed a chair close to the bed. The only sounds that Roy heard were the heart monitor and the respirator that was helping Johnny breathe. Roy looked at the bandages that wrapped Johnny's head and he gently touched them. He saw the tube that was in his partner's chest. Blood and fluid were still draining from it. Johnny wasn't awake and Roy was surprised at how pale his friend still was.

As Roy sat there and watched Johnny sleep he whispered to himself, "Everything always seems to happen to you partner."

Roy touched his friend's arm and softly said, "Johnny, I'm here with you and Brackett said you're gonna be fine. You pulled through the surgery, even though you gave everybody a big scare. I thought I'd lost ya there for a few minutes after we found you and in the treatment room. I sure hope you aren't planning to do that again to me again, I don't think I can take it. You really know how to take years off my life, don't you Junior? Cap and the guys wanted me to let you know that everybody at the station is pulling for you so you have to hurry and get well. Come on partner, try to wake up for me."

Seeing that Johnny was trying to wake up, Roy said, "That's it, come on Johnny, open your eyes for me."

Johnny slowly opened his eyes at the sound of his friend's voice and looked at Roy.

"Don't try to talk Johnny, you're on a respirator to help you breathe. You really did a number on yourself this time so I just want you to lay there and rest."

Johnny slowly reached up and Roy took his hand, both were holding on as if their lives depended on it.

There was no need for words between the two friends, Johnny's eyes said it all, "Thanks Pally, you saved my life...again."

He closed his tired eyes and faded back off to sleep.

"Anytime Junior, anytime. You just hurry and get well." Roy softly said.

-------------- ONE WEEK LATER --------------

Roy came through the doors at the hospital and got on the elevators to go up to ICU to visit Johnny. Doctor Brackett had removed the chest tube three days before and was going to take him off the respirator today. Roy was relieved that Johnny's breathing had improved enough to take him off the respirator but they were all still concerned that he had not regained consciousness since the day he had been brought out of surgery.

Just as Roy was about to open the door to Johnny's room he heard a commotion inside. Opening the door he was surprised by what he saw.

"What's going on, what's wrong with Johnny?"

He saw Kel, Joe and Dixie standing around Johnny's bed, holding him down while his body jerked. Brackett looked up and saw Roy standing there.

"Dix!" he looked and motioned for her to take Roy out in the hall.

"Come on Roy, let's step outside for a minute."

"No. Dix, please let me stay with Johnny, maybe I can help." Roy said, pulling his arm away and walking toward the bed.

"Roy, I know you want to help but Joe and Kel can handle it. Come on, there's nothing you can do for him right now."

Dixie put her hand on Roy's arm and he reluctantly left the room.

Roy ran his hand through his hair and asked, "Johnny was having a seizure wasn't he...what happened?"

"Yeah Roy, he was. Kel took him off the respirator and there was no problem with his breathing, his vitals were normal and everything was fine. Then a few minutes later, he went into the seizure. Joe came in to help but they haven't been able to stop it yet."

"I should've been here sooner."

Seeing that Roy was feeling guilty Dixie said, "Roy, there wouldn't have been anything you could've done."

"Yeah, it seems like there isn't much I can do to help my friend these days. What caused it, I thought he was getting better." Roy was quickly becoming agitated.

"He was getting better. His condition was stable but we don't know what caused it...yet. But they'll send him for tests to find out. You just try to calm down, you won't do Johnny or yourself any good if you get upset."

Kel and Joe walked out of the room. Roy grabbed Brackett's arm and asked, "Doc, what's going on, is Johnny okay?"

Taking a deep sigh Brackett answered, "Roy, Johnny had a very bad seizure and we were finally able to get it stopped. He's still unconscious and we're gonna take him upstairs for some tests and hopefully find out what caused this."

Joe turned to Roy and asked, "Has Johnny ever had a seizure before that you know of?"

Shaking his head Roy answered, "No, not as long as I've known him he hasn't. Did his head injury cause it?"

"If he's never had one before it probably did. It's unlikely that a healthy adult would just start having seizures, although it has been known to happen, but we'll know more after the tests. Try not to worry, he'll be okay." Kel was trying to convince Roy but he wondered whom he was really trying to convince, Roy or himself.

Turning away Roy said, "Oh yeah, don't worry, he'll be okay. You've said that so much that you're starting to sound like a broken record doc and you actually believe it. He's having seizures, how is he going to be alright?"

Everyone stood in silence, knowing that Roy was right. The doctors had gotten used to telling people that their friends or loved ones would be fine, but it was always done with a sense of detachment, since they never knew the people they were trying to save. But that wasn't the case here, this patient they knew, very well and there was no way they could keep themselves detached from this one.

A few minutes later they brought Johnny out of ICU. Breaking the silence Joe said, "Kel, I'll go on up with Johnny."

"Okay Joe, thanks."

"Hold on a minute."

Roy stopped the gurney and squeezed Johnny's hand as he softly said, "Hang in there Johnny, don't give up now. Do you remember what you told me when that car hit you? You promised me that you would hang on with both hands, you did and you came through it fine. And that's what you have to do now, with both hands and you'll be fine partner, I promise."

Roy only hoped that was a promise he would be able to keep.

As they wheeled Johnny upstairs, Kel put his hand on Roy's shoulder and said, "Roy, let's go get some coffee while we wait."

"Okay doc. Look, I'm sorry for what I said a minute ago, I didn't mean to take it out on you. I guess I'm just tired because I know you're doing everything you can for Johnny. I'm just scared he won't make it and I don't know what I'd do if I...we...if we lost Johnny."

Kel knew how close Johnny and Roy was. In fact, he had seen their friendship start to form the day Johnny had started in the paramedic program. He remembered how, during breaks in class, the two would stand over in the corner talking and drinking coffee.

He'd never seen two men that were so different who were able to get along and work so well together. Roy was quiet and laid back, more level headed and always thought things through, he thought a little too much as Johnny had once told him. Johnny was more talkative, very outgoing and spoke his mind.

He was the type of paramedic that would jump into any rescue feet first before ever thinking of the consequences. And everyone agreed that was what made Johnny so good at his job. If they did lose Johnny, well, he knew that Roy would be inconsolable. He was going to do everything in his power to keep Johnny alive.

Giving Roy a smile Kel said, "It's okay Roy, I understand. Johnny's my friend to and believe me, I'm just as worried about him as you are. But you're right, we are doing everything we can for him and we'll continue to do so. Come on. let's go get that coffee."

With that said Roy and Kel went into the coffee shop. After about an hour everyone met back in Johnny's room. Roy was standing at Johnny's bed lost in thought and worry as Kel and Joe looked over the x-rays. Dixie was monitoring Johnny's vitals.

"There it is Kel, we need to get him back to surgery and fast. The pressure is building and it has to be relieved."

The doctors walked over to Roy and Kel placed his hand on Roy's arm. Startled, Roy looked up and starting firing off his questions.

"What did you find out, is Johnny going to be okay, what caused the seizure?"

"Roy, slow down, I've got something to tell you. Johnny's condition has gotten worse. First, the x-rays show that Johnny has substantial bleeding into his brain. Second, we do believe that the bleeding along with the head injury did cause the seizure."

"Bleeding into...you have to operate, don't you?" Roy asked, not believing what Johnny was going through.

Looking at Johnny Joe said, "I'm afraid so Roy, the medication hasn't brought the swelling down as we had hoped. We have to relieve the pressure that's building and the bleeding has to be stopped. If we don't..."

He couldn't finish. He didn't want to think of what would happen to Johnny anymore than Roy or Kel did.

Roy looked at Johnny again and taking his hand he whispered, "If you don't, he'll die, won't he?"

Joe just shook his head and answered, "Yes Roy...he will."

Noticing the glances that the doctors exchanged made Roy ask, "What else is wrong, what aren't you telling me?"

Wishing he didn't have to tell Roy, Kel looked at Joe. "Doc please, he's my best friend. Don't keep anything from me; just tell me. Did something else happen?"

With regret Kel looked at Roy and said, "Yes Roy, something did happen. Johnny had another seizure during the tests. Joe examined him after he had it."

"Oh no, not another one. What did you find out, he is gonna be alright...isn't he?"

"Roy, it was another prolonged seizure and all test indicate that...that Johnny has lapsed into a coma. But because of the length of both seizures there's a possibility, and I'm only saying that it's a possibility, that Johnny's brain was without oxygen for too long. We won't know the extent of any damage until he wakes up. But the bleeding and swelling aren't helping matters and we need to get him back to surgery, right now." Joe explained to him.

Roy stood there, trying to take in everything he'd been told about Johnny's condition. He turned to face his friend again.

"You mean if he wakes up...right, and because of the coma you can't guarantee that he ever will wake up can you? I can't believe this, how much more can Johnny take?"

As the tears started again Roy whispered to himself, "I'm gonna lose him, I'm gonna lose my best friend."

"I'm sorry Roy, but no, we can't say when...or if Johnny will wake up. The brain works on it's own timetable. It could be hours, days, weeks...even months."

"Or never. What if he never wakes up?" Roy whispered as the tears flowed down his checks.

"Unfortunately yes, that's also a possibility. But Roy, none of us should be thinking that way right now because if Joe and I have anything to say about it you are not going to lose Johnny, none of us are. Now, we have to get him back to the OR, are you going to be okay?" Brackett asked.

"Yeah Doc, I'll be okay. Please, just make sure Johnny will be too. I want you to be honest with me doc, how bad is it and what are his chances?"

Brackett sighed and said, "I'm sorry Roy, but it's bad. It's a grade four coma and it doesn't get any worse than that. About the only thing Johnny has working for him right now is his age and the fact that Johnny was in good health before this. Without the surgery, we will lose him, due to the bleeding and swelling. But his chances of surviving it...are very slim because anything can happen. But like I said, Joe and I are going to do everything we can."

"I need a minute with him, alone, please." Roy said.

"I’m sorry Roy but you can't, we can't afford to waste any time. If he is to have any chance at all, we have to get him to the OR. The sooner the better." Joe told him.

"Man, Roy is really worried. I'm in pretty bad shape, aren't I?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah Johnny, you're in critical condition. Roy is very worried about you, so are all of your other friends. Why does that surprise you?" Shawna asked him.

Letting out a little laugh Johnny said, "Well, really it doesn't. Not with Roy anyway, he always worries too much, especially about me. But then again, I've never really given him a reason not to worry. Sometimes I think this friendship is a little one-sided, you know."

Trying to get Johnny to come to terms with his guilt, Shawna said, "No, I'm not sure I know what you mean, why don't you tell me."

Johnny ran his hand through his hair and said, "All the times that I've been hurt and ended up in the hospital, whether it was bad or not, Roy has always been there, worrying, wondering if I was gonna be okay. And he never left until he knew I was going to be alright."

"Of course he has, but that's what best friends do for each other. After all, you've done it for him."

Johnny walked a little closer to the bed.

"Why, why do you feel guilty, you act as if this and all of your other accident's were your fault. Were they?" she asked him.

Johnny turned to face her and said, "Of course not, they were only accidents. But Shawna, I just need to be more careful. Chet and the guys are right, I am a disaster magnet. Just like when that car hit me, I just stood there, frozen, I guess I was scared. I should've been able to get out of the way quicker, but I couldn't. And when the rattlesnake bit me, I should've looked where I was stepping but I was in too big of a hurry to find the handi talkie. I didn't look and I got bit. And then when I caught that virus..."

Finally realizing what she was trying to say Johnny said, "You aren't talking about my accidents, are you?"

Walking up to him she said, "No Johnny, I'm not. Why do you feel guilty over everything that happens, to yourself and others?"

"I take it you're talking about my guilt over your dying." Johnny said as he walked over to the window and looked out.

Johnny turned to look at his friend, wishing he could take Roy's pain away.

Finally, he spoke, "I feel guilty because you were so young, you had your whole life in front of you. I was the oldest and it should've been me not you. I should have protected you, kept you from getting hurt...but I wasn't able to."

Johnny put his head in his hands as the tears started streaming down his face.

"Johnny, you were young to. You did everything that you could possibly do. You were there with me, you didn't let me die alone and for that I will always be grateful. Besides, do you think it would've been better or easier on me if it had been you? It was my time, not yours, that's why I died and you didn't. My work was done, yours wasn't. Listen to me Johnny, I have never blamed you for what happened to me so stop blaming yourself. Please let go of the guilt, your work isn't finished yet."

Look up at her he asked, "What do you mean?"

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