DECEMBER 24, 1971 at 6:45 AM

At Station 51, the A-Shift crew was seated at the table, eating their breakfast in the dayroom/kitchen.

"What are you going to do tomorrow?" Captain Dick Hammer asked his crew. He pointed at the red-haired paramedic, "You start first, Roy."

"My family and I will be flying to Colorado this afternoon. We'll spend our Christmas with my parents there." Roy DeSoto replied.

"That's great!" Dick smiled and turned to the mustache-less Irish fireman, "What about you, Kelly?"

"I'm looking forward to visiting my older brother and his family in New York City. I'll stay there for only a couple of days and will return after Christmas." Chet Kelly replied.

"That's great!" Dick smiled.

"Also, don't forget that I'll be late for the next shift as soon as my flight arrives from New York City." Chet reminded his captain.

"That's right. I gotta call Headquarters to get a replacement for you. Thanks for the reminder." Dick grinned a little.

"No problem."

Dick turned to the Hispanic fireman, "What about you, Marco?"

"My mother, two sisters and I will be leaving for New Mexico today. I'll drive a long way to get there. We'll spend our first Christmas with my relatives there." Marco smilingly answered.

"Ah, that's great!" Dick smiled and then turned to the brown-haired fireman, "What about you, Stoker?"

"Uh, ummm, I don't know yet." Mike Stoker shook his head and shrugged, looking like he was sad.

"Hey Mike, I got a good idea!" Johnny Gage, a handsome Native-American paramedic with black short hair, called out to Mike with a cheerful smile, "I don't have any plans, either. So, I wonder if you would like to join me for the Christmas holiday? It'll be just the two of us."

Since Johnny had been assigned to this station and Roy's partner for only 2 months, Mike gasped in surprise and looked up at the dark-haired paramedic. He shyly smiled, "Sure!"

"Great! After work, we can go shopping. We can get a small Christmas tree, too. We can buy ornaments and some Christmas stuff." Johnny suggested his idea to Mike.

"I have plenty of ornaments and some other stuff. I can bring mine to your place if you would like to."

"That's great!" Johnny grinned as the dispatch tones sounded.

The entire crew got up and strode out to the bay, preparing to head for a rescue call.

~ø¤º°º¤øØø¤º°º¤ø~

8:05 AM

The A-Shift returned to the station and dressed for heading home as the B-Shift had just began taking over the duty. Dick and Marco had just left the station, preparing for their Christmas plans. Roy, Johnny, Chet, and Mike stood outside in the parking lot behind the station.

“I gotta catch my flight. Merry Christmas to you all!” Chet said in a hurried tone as he smiled at the group, standing by the driver’s side of his van.

"Merry Christmas!" Roy, Johnny, and Mike smiled back in unison.

Waving a good bye to them, Chet jumped in his van and left the station.

"I hope you guys have a wonderful Merry Christmas!" Roy cheered Johnny and Mike.

"Thanks! Merry Christmas to you and your family!" Johnny smiled back as he and Roy embraced.

"Merry Christmas to you, too." Mike bashfully smiled a little as he and Roy embraced.

Roy jumped in his car and left the station.

"Mike, you need to stop by your apartment, right?" Johnny inquired.

"Yeah, that's right. I need to get some clothes and Christmas stuff. I'll meet you at your apartment in a couple of hours." Mike replied.

"Great!" Johnny grinned and continued, "Once you arrive at my place, we'll go shopping. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Great, let's go!" Johnny cheerfully grinned, tapping Mike's back with one hand.

They jumped in their vehicles and headed for their apartments.

~ø¤º°º¤øØø¤º°º¤ø~

9:50 AM

Mike parked his car next to the curb in front of the apartment complex where Johnny had lived for a year. He unloaded his overnight bag and a box of his Christmas stuff from his car. He walked over to Johnny's unit and knocked.

Opening the door, Johnny greeted, "Come in!"

Mike entered Johnny's apartment and placed his belongings on the couch.

"Are you ready to go shopping?" Johnny asked.

"Yep." Mike nodded, "Let's go."

The two men walked out of the apartment unit as Johnny closed and locked the door. They walked over to the carport and jumped in the Land Rover. Johnny started his vehicle's engine and drove away. They went shopping, including the grocery store, until the late afternoon.

The final item the two men picked up was a five-foot pine Christmas tree. Johnny drove back to his apartment. They unloaded the bags from the vehicle, walking over to Johnny's apartment unit. They placed them in the living room and kitchen.

They walked back outside to the carport and pulled the tree from Johnny's Rover. They carried the tree over to the apartment and placed the tree besides the window next to the front door. Mike picked up his box from the couch and placed it on the floor next to the tree. He opened the box and pulled out the Christmas stuff. Mike placed the beautiful 'Star' tree topper on the top of the tree. Then, Mike plugged in the Christmas lights to make sure everything was okay. He unplugged the lights. He and Johnny put the lights on the tree.

As the two men stood by the tree, Johnny turned the Christmas lights on and asked with a famous 'Gage' grin, "Wow! What do you think?"

"Yeah, that's beautiful!" Mike answered shyly.

Johnny smiled back as they started to put the gold garland on the tree. Next, they put on the ornaments and finally, Mike put the tree skirt under the tree. With the work done, the men sat down on the couch.

"Ah, Wow! What a big day!" Johnny heaved a deep breath.

"Wow, it's beautiful!" Mike exclaimed with a happy smile and paused to take a breath. He continued, "We have only one day left before Christmas, right?"

"Yeah, I know, but it's worth it!" Johnny grinned, tapping Mike's upper back with his hand.

8:30 PM

Johnny and Mike, both wearing pajamas with bare feet, sat on the couch in the living room. They were watching a Christmas movie on the TV.

"Mike?" Johnny called out in a low tone.

Mike turned around and answered, "Yes?"

"I'm just curious about you if you don't mind."

"Sure, ask me anything." Mike stammered a little as he sort of felt a little awkward with this new fireman/paramedic he barely knew.

"Umm, why can't you spend Christmas with your family this year?" Johnny asked, concerned for his friend.

"Well, it's kind of a long story." Mike stammered, "Uh, actually, I don't get along with my family."

"I don't get along with my parents, either." Johnny shrugged.

"Oh, really? I didn't know that."

“Yeah, that’s true. I can understand if you don’t want to tell me about your family.”

"Well, I don't know what to say." Mike hesitated.

Johnny began telling Mike a little about his past.

~~@*@~~

SEPTEMBER 1963 at 12:30 PM

John Roderick Gage, who had just turned 18 last month, packed his personal belongings in the small bedroom at his parent's house on the Seminole Indian reservation in Florida. His black hair was long, worn shoulder length. His blond-haired father, Gerald Gage, entered the bedroom and stood by the door.

"Hey, where are you going, son?" Gerald asked his youngest child.

Looking up at his father, Johnny answered, "I'm moving out to be on my own."

"Where are you going?!?"

"Well, I'm sorry I can't tell you." Johnny grabbed his two suitcases and then uttered, "I gotta go now!"

Pointing towards his son, Gerald angrily spoke out, "You are NOT going anywhere!"

"DAD!!" Johnny talked back, "Look, I'm 18 years old, and I'm independent now. I CAN decide whatever I want for my life! I don't need you anymore, and I am NOT your slave anymore. I've had enough of it! I'm leaving for good! Bye!"

With that, Johnny abruptly walked out of his bedroom and hurriedly got out of his parent's house. He walked over to his 1957 Ford car. He opened the trunk, put both suitcases in it and closed the trunk. He jumped in his car and drove away. Meanwhile, Gerald and his Seminole Indian wife, Krista, stood by the front door, watching their son departing.

One week and half later, Johnny arrived in Los Angeles, California. He knew nobody there. He had only $150 cash left in his pocket. He thought about finding a job to support himself. He looked for a job for a couple of days until he easily got a new job at a supermarket.

When he started his new job as a cashier, he had no place to live. He had stayed at a motel for about a month, saving some money, until he finally found an apartment near the supermarket. He began meeting new people at his work and apartment.

Four years later, Johnny enrolled the L.A. County Fire Department’s academy. After he completed the six-month training, he eventually became a fireman and was assigned to Station 24 for the next three years. He was reassigned to Station 10 as a rescue man for eight months before he transferred to Station 51 as one of the second six paramedics. He was partnered with Roy DeSoto, one of the first six paramedics.

~~@*@~~

PRESENT . . . . .

"I see. Do you feel any regrets for leaving Florida?" Mike inquired.

"Nah, not at all." Johnny shook his head. He paused for a moment and explained, "Look, Mike, I just could not stand being a slave for my parents all my life. I've had enough of it! I moved on with my life. I'm trying to find a happiness." He paused to sip his milk before continuing, "You know, I feel like I'm nobody." He shrugged and continued, "They, even Roy, don't care about me at all."

"No! That's not true!" Mike exclaimed, his blue eyes widened.

"Mike, look, I'm different from you and the rest of our crew because I am half breed, you know what I mean?" Johnny expressed without thinking about Marco who was also from a minority of the Hispanic heritage.

"Well, John, I am here for you because YOU invited me to join you for the Christmas celebration, right?" Mike reminded his confused friend.

"Yeah, right!" Johnny nodded.

"Well then!" Mike shrugged with his hands in the air. He took a quick breath, sipping his apple cider. He began to tell, "Ummm, I don't know what I say to you."

"Go on." Johnny encouraged his 3-year older friend to continue.

Mike finally started telling his friend a little about his past.

~~@*@~~

NOVEMBER 1954

12-year-old blond-haired Michael Frederick Stoker lay on the bed at the children's hospital in San Diego, California. He suffered with a lot of bruises on his body after he had been physically beaten by his father. Mrs. Murphy, a 50-something neighbor, sat on the chair next to Mike's side.

"I hate Dad so much! He's too mean!" Mike sobbed, feeling hurt at the memory.

Stroking Mike's forehead with her hand comfortingly, Mrs. Murphy assured the boy with a cheerful smile, "I know how you feel. It's been hard for you. Trust me, everything is going to be okay."

"Uh, I hate Mom, too! She's too bossy to me all the time. She loves Dale more than me!" Mike expressed, speaking of his 7-year younger brother.

"Shhhh, shhhh, that's okay." Mrs. Murphy held the boy's hand in both of her hands. "When your doctor lets you go home, I will take care of you."

"I wanna live with you!" Mike sobbed, frightened, squeezing his neighbor's hand in his hand.

"Don't worry, Mike." Mrs. Murphy smiled, comforting the boy.

When Mike was released from the hospital, he had lived with Mrs. Murphy for only three years before she died of cancer. It had been hard for Mike to deal with this grief in the loss of his most caring person. He was very lonely and scared. His parents took him back to live with them.

In the next three years, Mike was abused many times by his father, who had been an alcoholic addict for years. Mike could not take it anymore. Once he turned 18 in June 1960, he finally moved out of his parent's house. He had no money. He was homeless for about 4 months before he got a chef job at a French restaurant.

In 1963, Mike enrolled the L.A. County Fire Department’s academy. After he completed the six-month training, he eventually became a fireman and was assigned to Station 9 for the next seven years and half. He studied the engineering for a couple of years before he took the first engineer exam. Fortunately, he passed his first exam! He was on the waiting list for the next six months until he finally made it as an engineer at Station 51, one of the newest fire stations.

~~@*@~~

PRESENT . . . . .

Mike paused to heave a deep breath with a moan as Johnny massaged Mike's upper back and shoulders. Johnny slowly moved his head closer to Mike's ear. Mike turned around to look at the dark-haired man as Johnny slowly moved his head closer to Mike's lips and wrapped his arms around Mike at the same time. Sensing something funny with Johnny's behavior, Mike felt a little uncomfortable.

Pushing Johnny gently, Mike controlled himself to be polite and warned, "John, I don't . . ."

"Oops, I'm sorry." Johnny gasped nervously, releasing his arms from Mike. He stammered guiltily, "I don't mean it."

"That's okay. Remember, we have worked together for only two months, and I still don't know you well. Also, I need to recover my pain and anger first." Mike explained to his 3-year younger friend.

"Okay, I understand."

"I'd appreciate it if we keep our friendship casual, okay?"

"Okay if that's what you want." Johnny shrugged, understanding Mike's feeling.

The two men continued chatting as friends only, keeping their eyes on the beautiful Christmas tree.

<<< E! 51 E! 51 E! 51 E! >>>

DECEMBER 25, 1971 at 8:30 AM

Lying on the bed in the guest bedroom, Mike woke up and stretched his arms with a yawn. He got up and slowly walked into the short hallway. Reaching the bathroom, he slowly twisted the knob to open the door.

Spotting Johnny in the nude shaving one of his cheeks, Mike turned out to be embarrassed and gasped, covering his lips with his hand and blue eyes wide, "Oops, I'm sorry!"

"That's okay." Johnny greeted his friend and gave him a big grin, "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas." Mike tried to be polite, still feeling uncomfortable seeing the dark-haired paramedic stark naked.

"Are you going to take a shower?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, I'll wait for you to finish first." Mike answered, stammering a little.

"Okay, no problem." Johnny smiled and winked.

Mike said nothing as he closed the door gently. He thought in his mind, feeling embarrassed, * I can't believe that I just saw Johnny's naked body. Oh, my God! * He shook his head in disbelief, blowing the air out of his mouth.

~ø¤º°º¤øØø¤º°º¤ø~

5:45 PM

The Christmas tree's lights had been on since Johnny and Mike woke up earlier this morning.

Mike cooked ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade yams and green peas. Johnny helped him whenever Mike needed some help. While Mike continued cooking, Johnny set everything on the dining table. They placed the dishes of food on the table. As Mike seated himself at the table, Johnny pulled out the champagne bottle from the refrigerator and two glasses from one of the kitchen cabinets. He placed the glasses on the counter, opened the bottle and poured champagne into the glasses. He took the glasses and placed them on the table. He seated himself.

"Let's toast." Johnny cheerfully smiled at his friend, holding his glass in his hand. Touching his glass with Mike's, he cheered, "Merry Christmas!"

Touching his glass with Johnny's at the same time, Mike cheerfully grinned, "Merry Christmas!"

They took sips of champagne and put their glasses back on the table. They began eating their dinners. After that, they seated themselves on the floor next to the tree. They exchanged the presents with each other. It was very special for both Johnny and Mike to celebrate this Christmas holiday together as it was better than nothing.

~ The End ~

Merry Christmas! :o)