Author's note: Although this story takes place in 1981, I've kept everything the same as it was on the show, medical wise that is. They still have to call the hospital, no standing orders like we have today, but they have all the modern day conveniences. All EMERGENCY! Characters belong to MARK VII LIMITED, but any and all OC's (Original Characters) belong to me and can not be used without my permission.  

Thanks to Charmi for the beta read

 

A Happy Ending...After All
By Sherry

 

 


It was a warm and humid July day in Los Angeles, as Firefighter/Paramedic Johnny Gage reported for duty at Station 51. Arriving early for a change, and in an exceptionally good mood, Johnny pulled his Land Rover onto the parking lot and parked beside Roy DeSoto's truck...his paramedic partner and best friend of 9 years

As Johnny walked towards the station, he was whistling a happy tune and he was determined, that no matter what, nothing was going to spoil his good mood, not even the "Phantom" himself...a.k.a. Chester B. Kelly. He felt happier than he ever had in his life because of the decision he had made the night before and he was in a hurry to get inside to tell Roy the good news.

Walking into the station and making his way to the locker room, he went inside and saw all of his friends already there, changing into their uniforms for another shift.

"Good mornin' guys. How's everybody doin' this mornin'?" Johnny cheerfully asked, as he made his way over to his locker and started changing into his uniform.

Turning to look at Johnny, everyone was surprised to see that their friend was early instead of making it to work by the skin of his teeth...as he usually did…and they also noticed how overly happy the dark-haired paramedic seemed to be. Because of this, Roy figured that he was going to be in for a long shift.

Oh no, Johnny’s in too good of a mood...something’s goin’ on with him

"Hey Junior, how were your days off?"

Smiling, Johnny answered, "Man Pally, let me tell ya, they were great. Savannah and me had the best time campin'...great weather, great scenery...at least for me…and in more ways than one, if…you know what I mean...and we just relaxed and besides goin’ hikin’ and fishin’ a few times, we did absolutely nothin'. Can you believe it, a girl who likes to fish…not many do…how 'bout you guys...what happened with you all?"

The same as usual and nothing much were the replies...except for Roy.

"The kids went to their friends houses for a weekend sleepover and Jo and I just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves over the weekend, even went to a quiet restaurant for dinner, then went to a late movie. For once, I got out of doin’ anything around the house."

Just as Johnny was about to reply, Chet spoke up and said, "Hey Gage, I know I’m takin’ a chance here, askin’ this but, why are you in such a good mood today...it's Monday for cryin' out loud."

“Yeah Kelly…you are takin’ a chance.” Johnny replied, smiling at his friend.

"Yeah John, and for once you aren't late, Cap’ll like that. What's up?" Marco asked.

Not yet having time to talk to Roy, Johnny looked at Marco, then to Chet, as he replied, "Yeah, I know he will, but why should anything be up...and I guess I just got up on the right side of the bed this mornin' Chester…you’re lucky that I’m in such a good mood."

“Yeah, but watch Chet spoil it…or at least try to.” Mike spoke up and said, as he closed his locker.

The engineer leaned up against his locker, crossed his arms over his chest and stood there, ready to hear the rest of the conversation that he was sure would take place between the Phantom and his pigeon.

All of the men, with the exception of Chet, were agreeing with the engineer, when they suddenly heard Captain Stanley shout.

"Roll call in seven minutes!"

"Come on guys, let's surprise Cap and get out there early for a change." Johnny said, as he finished tying his shoe and headed for the bay.

“Yeah, it’ll be a surprise alright.” Marco replied.

“Yeah, Johnny and Roy’ll be treatin’ him for shock.” Mike said.

"Hey Johnny...wait a..."

Before Roy could finish, Johnny was out the door and into the bay.

"Roy, you need to find out what your partner's on…he's just way too happy for a Monday morning."

"Yeah, yeah Chet...later. But he's not on anything."

The men quickly finished changing into their uniforms and lined up for roll call in the engine bay...early. When Hank heard all the noise, he stepped out of the office, and saw that his crew was already lined up for roll call.

"Hey, what’s goin’…well, you guys are early...no one lagging behind. And John, you're even on time for once pal." Hank said, as he smiled at the men that stood before him.

These guys never cease to amaze me…I’ve got the best crew in the whole department to work with, but I wonder what’s up…especially with Johnny, he’s almost *never* on time

As Johnny was about to answer his Captain, Chet spoke up and said, "Yeah, we're early because of Gage over there."

Yeah, I knew Kelly would be the one to tell me…except for what’s goin’ on with Gage. Guess I’ll find out sooner or later

Stanley looked over at his younger paramedic and noticed how happy Johnny seemed to be and realized that he didn’t have a come back for Chet…but said nothing about it. He knew he would eventually find out what was going on.

Looking back at Chet, Stanley only replied with, "Well Kelly, be glad we're gettin’ an early start, we’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get started before we get a run, shall we. Now, first off we have..."

After roll call, the long list of announcements and the chores being given out, the men went to do what was assigned to them, as Roy and Johnny went first to check the supplies in the squad.

“Rampart, how’d you copy last EKG calibration?” Johnny asked.

“Copy loud and clear 51.” Dixie replied.

“10-4 Rampart, have a good one.”

As they continued to work, Roy also had to continue to listen to the off key tune that Johnny kept whistling and saw the smile that was still on his partner's face. Finally, not being able to stand the tune anymore, he had to find out what was going on with his best friend.

Grabbing Johnny's arm, Roy said, "Johnny…stop.”

Being slightly startled and quickly stopping what he was doing, Johnny said, “Huh…what?”

“Huh…boy, this early in the day and you’re already out to lunch.”

“What did I do?” Johnny whined.

Shaking his head and trying to keep a straight face, Roy replied, “Nothin’…forget it. Just please…stop whistlin’ and give. Chet's right, you're just way too happy today, and since I have to ride with ya all shift, I wanna know why."

Giving Roy his famous crooked smile, Johnny said, “Oh, that. Well, now that you asked…”

Uh oh, I think I’m sorry that I did now

Johnny looked around to make sure that none of his shiftmates were around before he spoke to Roy again.

Softly answering, he said, "I wanted to talk to ya about that. See, last night when me and Savannah went out, I took her to an early movie, and then we went to dinner and…and then we went for a long quiet walk…and just talked."

"Yeah okay, I understand that...you guys went out and ya had a good time…great…but that doesn’t explain to me why you’re so happy…unless somethin’ else happened…did it?”

Checking again to make sure the coast was still clear, Johnny said, "Well, yes and no. See, I got to thinkin’, after I took her back to her place, that I…”

"You were thinkin'...partner, don't you know by now how dangerous that is when that happens? You know it only gets ya into trouble…plus it gives you a migraine" Roy stated, unable to keep the smile from his face.

“Oh ha ha ha, very funny...partner. You wanna know what’s goin’ on…or you gonna stand there and insult me?"

By the tone of Johnny's voice, Roy knew that his friend wasn't mad over what he said, just kidding.

"Sorry Junior, you know I was just kiddin’. All right, go ahead and tell me, what were ya thinkin’ about?"

Or do I really wanna know…this might turn out to be another Gage rant. Oh well, I asked, so I guess I can’t complain

"Well Pally, you know that Savannah and I have been datin’ for about a year and a half, right?"

"Right. And I’ll tell ya, this one has lasted longer than I thought it would."

Giving his best friend a glare but ignoring his comment, Johnny said, "Anyway, I've never felt this way about any of the other women I've dated, I mean, there’s really…I don’t know…that somethin’…it’s there with Savannah. Roy...I’ve been thinkin’ about it for a couple of weeks…and I finally realized last night after our date...that I’m ready…and that…I really do love her and I wanna…I...well I mean I...ah…I think I'm..."

"What? Just tell me already."

Taking a deep breath, Johnny said, "I'm gonna ask her to marry me...Thursday night when we go out again. I have a friend that works at a jewelry store and I’ve already picked the ring out…ya know, just in case…and he’s holdin’ it for me…promised that he’d give me a good deal on it to. So, what'cha think...am I doin' the right thing?"

Roy stood there, looking at his best friend, with, at first, a surprised look on his face. He never thought he would live to see the day that Johnny Gage, his best friend and a man who seemed to be so afraid of making a commitment to a woman, would ever decide to finally settle down and get married.

Not getting an answer right away from his friend, Johnny nudged his partner, as he asked, "Well…am I makin’ a mistake or not?"

"Oh, sorry.” Roy said, coming out of his thoughts.

Extending his hand, Johnny slowly took it and shaking hands with his best friend, Roy had a smile on his face as he finally answered his partner.

“I think if you love her...you're doin' the right thing partner. Congratulations Johnny, I hope she’ll say yes and that the two of you will be as happy as Joanne and I have been."

"You mean that...I mean...thanks Roy, that means lot to me. Man, I was startin’ to get worried, that I might be doin’ the wrong thing…you weren’t answerin’ me. Ah...could I ask ya somethin' else?"

"Well, sorry about that but…but, you did kinda throw me there for a minute. But sure, what is it?"

Johnny placed the drug box back in the side compartment, then leaned on the compartment door before he answered Roy’s question.

"Roy, you're my best friend...and well I was wonderin'...I mean, it would mean a lot to me if...well what I’m tryin’ to say…to ask is… if she says yes…would you be my best man."

“Well yeah, she would have to say yes in order for ya to have a wedding Junior…that’s the way it usually works.”

Johnny and Roy both smiled at that, but it touched Roy to know that Johnny would want him to play a part in the most important day of his life.

Looking down at the floor, as he tried to keep his tears from starting, Roy softly answered, "But yeah, it would be my honor Junior, you’re my best friend to and I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Thanks Pally. Ya know, I want the proposal…I want it to be big, ya know…somethin’ that she’ll never forget. Ya got any suggestions?"

As Roy was about to give his friend some ideas, Captain Stanley took a break from the stack of paperwork on his desk and walked out of his office, headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. He saw both of his paramedics with tears in their eyes and he became worried.

Walking over to his friends, Hank asked, "John, Roy…what's wrong guys?"

Smiling and wiping away his own tears, Johnny answered, "Nothin' Cap…nothin’ at all…matter of fact…everything's fine.”

“Yeah, well, you coulda fooled me pal. You guys sure everything’s all right?”

“Sure Cap.”

Looking over at his partner, Johnny smiled and said, “Yeah, really, Roy’s right, everything’s just fine. Could you get the rest of the guys out here for a minute...ah, I've got an announcement that I wanna make to everybody."

Cap had a worried look on his face, as he answered, "Sure...sure Johnny, no problem. Hey Mike, Chet, Marco...can you guys come out in the bay for a minute?"

As the other three crewmembers quickly gathered in the bay, they also noticed Johnny and Roy and became as worried as their Captain.

“What’s up Cap?” Mike asked.

Looking at the rest of his crew, Cap said, "Well, John here has an announcement he wants to share with us…all right, here we all are. What's up?"

Looking around at all his friends, Johnny began, "Well...guys...ah, you all remember Savannah right…Savannah Peterson?

A woman…shoulda known, with Gage it’s *always* a woman, Hank thought to himself.

"Yeah…sure…right." came the replies.

"Guys...now don’t laugh but…I'm gonna ask her to marry me Thursday night. Hopefully I'll be joinin' Roy and Cap here and be a married man."

After a second, making sure they had heard right, Mike and Marco gave Johnny handshakes and congratulations. Chet however, just continued to stand there...stunned and trying to control his laughter...that his friend wanted to get married…again.

"Now I know something’s wrong with Gage. Hey Roy, what's up with your partner... was he being irritating this mornin’ and you hit him in the head with the biophone…or has he finally lost what little mind he had?"

"Chet!" the rest of the guys yelled.

"Well, Mikey was right, leave it to Chet. Cap, guys...it's okay, I'm in too good of a mood to let ol’ Chet here spoil it. It's called love Chet and that’s the only thing wrong with me…and…”

Interrupting Johnny, Chet said, “The only thing huh…well, that’s debatable. Oh wait, Savannah doesn’t have any kids that you don’t know about does she…you know, like the other one had…and you wanted to marry her…ah…what was her name?”

“Valerie.” the rest of the crew said in unison.

“Oh funny…no, Val…I mean Savannah…she does not have any kids, I know that for a fact…she is nothin’ like Valerie…and I don’t ever wanna talk about her again. And no Kelly, Roy did not hit me in the head with the biophone, I…”

“You couldn’t have told the difference if I had hit ‘im.”

Johnny glared at Roy, then went on.

“I just finally realized, at my age, I need to settle down and maybe have a family. And I know that Savannah is the one I wanna spend the rest of my life with…and maybe…just maybe…although I’m not holdin’ my breath…but maybe you'll be this lucky one day Chester B…that is, if you can ever find a woman that’ll put up with ya."

The rest of the guys laughed at that...even Chet.

"Oh funny Gage...Leighann puts up with me, she even…”

Interrupting his friend, Marco said, “Yeah, remind me to put her in for sainthood Chet. I don’t know how she does it.”

Over the laughter of the others, Chet replied, “You’re not funny Marco. Okay, I get the point, you love her. I'm happy for ya Johnny...I really mean that man."

Chet extended his hand to the paramedic…which Johnny returned, with some hesitation.

"Uh oh, he called me Johnny…now I know somethin’s gonna go wrong…but thanks Chet, that really means a lot to me. And, I've already asked Roy to be my best man…and naturally, he’s agreed to do it…and I'd like to ask you guys to also stand with me when I get married. You know…well I mean…you guys are…well you’re the closest things I have to brothers and…well I consider all of you my close and dear friends…so it would mean a lot to me if all of you would also be a part of this. So what’daya say...will you do it for me…will you be my…ah…what are they called…they stand up with the groom…my ah…my…?"

Looking to his best friend for a little help, Johnny said, “A little help here Pally.”

“Groomsmen Junior…they’re called groomsmen.”

“Yeah, that’s right…thanks Roy. Well, will you guys be my groomsmen?”

Looking around the room, Cap saw the rest of the guys shaking their heads yes.

Chet spoke up and said, “Count me in. I’d do anything to see you in a monkey suit Gage…I wouldn’t miss that for anything.”

Stanley gave Chet a look that told him that he shouldn’t have said that.

Kelly smiled and mouthed the word “Sorry.”

“You know Chet, if Johnny has to wear a “monkey suit” as you put it, if you’re in the wedding, so do you.”

Realizing that his Captain was right, Chet said, “Oh man, I forgot about that. Oh well, it’ll be worth it, like I said, I’ll do anything to see it…I’m in. Oh, you know what else guys?”

“I’m afraid to find out, but I’ll ask…what?” Mike bravely spoke up and asked.

“If they get married, Gage’ll have to deal with a Mother in law now.”

“What’s your point Kelly?” Johnny asked.

Looking around at his friends, Chet replied, “What’s my point? This from a man who once said that he, and I quote, “I don’t know anything about Mother in laws and I don’t want to know anything about Mother’s in laws.”

“He’s got’cha there Junior, even I remember when you said that.”

“Well, maybe I did, but Savannah’s Mom is great, she’s a very sweet lady…and she likes me. Of course though, how could she not like me.”

Looking at his younger paramedic and extending his hand, Cap replied, "John, take it from me and Roy, that’s how all Mother in laws start out. But anyway, we would all be honored to be a part of this."

Shaking his boss’s hand, Johnny replied and said, “Really…good deal…thanks Cap. I’ll be havin’ six guys, if she says yes, ‘cause Savannah has a brother…so it’ll be you five and Joey. Well, I better go call Mom and Dad…give ‘em a heads up on what’s goin’ on. Can I use the phone in the office Cap?"

“Sure Johnny, go ahead. Say hi to your parents for me.”

“Okay Cap, I will.”

Johnny quickly made his way into the office and called his parents. The rest of the guys stood out in the bay, smiling, as they listened to their friend telling his Mom and Dad what was going on. To the guys, he sounded like an excited high school teenager that just got his first date, but they all liked Savannah and knew that she really did care about Johnny, so the crew couldn’t be happier for their young friend.

Before Johnny could finish his conversation, the tones sounded, sending the squad out on a call.

"Squad 51, unknown type rescue, 8513 Park Way, 8-5-1-3 Park Way, ambulance is responding, timeout, 0837."

“Ah Mom, I gotta go…yeah, I got a run…yeah I will…I will…oh and Cap says hi…yeah, I love you to…yeah I will, I’m always careful…love you…bye.”

"Squad 51, 10-4 KMG365." Hank replied, as Johnny came out of the office.

The paramedics got in the squad and pulled out of the station, Code R.

~~~~~~

Unknown type rescue...Johnny and Roy always hated those kinds of calls because they never knew what they had until they arrived on scene. The paramedics pulled up to a well kept two story white house.

"LA, Squad 51 at scene."

"10-4 Squad 51, time, 0844."

After the paramedics exited the squad and retrieved their equipment, they walked up to the front porch and saw that the front door was open.

Roy saw Johnny looking around, as well as the look on his face.

“You got a bad feelin', don’t’cha Junior?"

Shaking his head, Johnny answered and said, "Oh yeah Pally...somethin' doesn't feel right. Just be careful in there partner."

"You got it partner."

Johnny carefully leaned over to the side to see if he could see inside the home and he saw a young woman sitting in a chair.

Lightly knocking on the screen door, he called out, “Fire Department!”

Startled by the sound of his voice, the woman turned to see who it was. Slowly getting up and holding her left side, she went to the door and pushing it open, she allowed the paramedics to come inside. What the paramedics saw shocked them...this woman was black and blue...she had cuts and contusions on her face and her right eye was beginning to swell and she was bloody. She was also very jumpy and nervous.

"Ma'am…what happened to you? Come on, let's go sit back down." Roy softly said.

"My name’s Johnny and this is my partner, Roy. What's your name?" Johnny asked.

Walking back to the chair, the lady took a seat, and answered, “Mrs. Hampton…Maggie… Maggie Hampton...and this...well it was...it was just an accident...I'm sorry I bothered you, I shouldn't have called.”

Accident huh…musta been one heck of an accident, Johnny thought to himself.

"It's all right, it's no bother at all, that's what we're here for." Roy softly told her.

Roy set up the biophone, then started taking her vitals, as Johnny began to clean her up.

Speaking in a soothing voice, Johnny said, "Just take it easy Mrs. Hampton. Yes, you should have called, these injuries need to be taken care of and since you’re holding your side there, you also need to go to the hospital for some x-rays...you could have some cracked or broken ribs. If they’re broken, that could lead to a lung injury and trust me, I know from experience, those aren’t any fun. So, why don’t we get you cleaned up here a bit and take you into Rampart and make sure that that isn’t the case.”

Becoming agitated, Maggie pleaded with the two firemen, as she said, "No...no please, I don’t think anything’s broken, besides, I can't go to a hospital...it'll only make things worse if I do. If Alex..."

"Alex...is that who did this to you?" Roy asked, seeing that she wasn’t going to continue.

Not getting an answer, Johnny stood and started walking around, cautiously looking around the house, and wondering if this man might still be inside. Not seeing or hearing anyone, Johnny went and knelt back down beside the chair and started speaking to her.

"Ma'am, is Alex your husband...your boyfriend…where is he now?"

"He’s my...my husband...he left after he...please, both of you have to leave, if he comes back and finds you both here...I can't..."

With Maggie stopping suddenly, Johnny looked over at Roy then back to Maggie, as he asked, "You can't what?"

Slowly answering, Maggie replied, "I...I can't guarantee that...he won't do something to either one...or both of you. He's mean, very mean...and so jealous…he was also drunk when he left...I don't know when he'll be back and…and I don't want anything to happen to either of you. Please, you have to leave...now. I can clean myself up and I'll be alright...I always am."

"Mrs. Hampton, please...let us take you to Rampart and have a doctor check you over, just to be on the safe side."

Johnny saw that she was about to protest and he held up his hand. Seeing this, Maggie cringed away from the paramedic.

Realizing what he had done, Johnny softly said, “Mrs. Hampton, it’s alright, I’m not gonna hurt you, I promise. But at Rampart…they have people there...counselors...that can help you...you can get out of this situation and not have to live like this...believe me, you don't deserve this…you deserve much better than this because you’re worth it. Please, let us help you get away from this man."

Maggie reached up and gently rubbed her hand over Johnny’s cheek, realizing that the dark-haired paramedic was right.

Softly speaking, she said, "Thank you…both of you, no one has ever told me that before but…but I’ve tried that, quite a few times actually…and no matter where I go, he always finds me. But…okay...I know I need to get out...I'll go but...I'm scared of him...but I'll..."

Before she could finish, she and the paramedics heard the back door slam.

Maggie became nervous and quickly taking her hand from Johnny’s face, she said, “Oh no…he’s back. Please, watch what you say to him…I knew the two of you should have left.”

Johnny leaned over to Roy and softly asked, "Hey Pally, you know the bad feelin’ you figured out I was havin’?"

Johnny stopped talking and pointed toward the man who was walking toward them. Roy turned and looked, then turned back to Johnny.

"Yeah, I remember Junior. Just stay calm and don't make any sudden moves."

"Who, me? Well, no need to tell me that…but you might wanna tell it to this guy."

A large muscular man, a little taller than their Captain, with a beard and shoulder length hair appeared in the room. Johnny and Roy quickly stood to the side and looked up at the man as he passed by them...they noticed the look that he gave them...and it made them nervous.

Looking down at his wife in the chair, he asked, "What's goin' on here...you got two guys in here…what are you doin’, who are these guys?"

"Sir...we're Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics, I’m John Gage and this is my partner, Roy DeSoto. Your wife is hurt and we're just here to help." Johnny calmly replied, not liking what the man seemed to be implying.

Turning from Johnny and looking at his wife, he slapped her across the face. Roy saw the look on Johnny's face...he also saw his friend make a move as if he were going to take a step toward the man, and Roy quickly stopped him and shook his head no, not wanting his partner to get hurt.

It angered both Johnny and Roy to see a man treating a women like this lady was being treated, but they knew that they could do nothing about it...without possibly getting injured themselves...but they would report it to the police, as soon as they left.

"Why did you call these clowns?"

With surprised looks on their faces, the paramedics looked at each other as Johnny mouthed, "these clowns"

Roy only raised his eyebrows as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Please...please Alex...don't be mad...it’s like he said…I was scared…I needed...needed help and that's...that’s the only reason...I called...I swear, nothin’ happened." Maggie sobbed.

"Mr. Hampton, your wife could have some broken ribs or other injuries and she wants to go to Rampart and be checked out. The ambulance should be here in a few minutes." Roy said.

Alex quickly unzipped his jacket and pulled out a .38 handgun and pointed it at the paramedics.

"No Alex...please don't!" Maggie screamed, as she stood up and placed her hand on his arm.

Seeing the gun, Johnny and Roy both took a step back, but Johnny stepped in front of his partner…he hoped that if this guy did pull the trigger, he would be hurt and not his best friend.

Quickly, Johnny said, "Whoa, just take it easy man and relax, we don't want any trouble, and you really don’t wanna hurt anybody.”

"Oh I don’t…what are you, one of those who thinks he knows everything? Well you don’t know everything…and trouble and gettin' hurt…man…is what the two of you will have if ya don't leave...now!"

Realizing that this man meant business, the paramedics decided to leave.

"Alright...just let us get our equipment together...then we'll leave…just calm down." Roy quickly said.

"Alright then, do it. But Maggie isn't goin' anywhere, she doesn't need any help."

"Yes that’s...that's right...I don't...need any help...I'm fine...please...please just go…I’m…I’m sorry I…I bothered you." Maggie softly replied, hoping to calm her husband down and keep the two paramedics from getting hurt.

“Shut up woman, you don’t have to apologize to these two guys!”

“Sir, there isn’t any reason to talk to your wife like that…she doesn’t deserve it.” Johnny said, getting upset with what was going on.

“Johnny…”

Keeping the gun aimed at the younger man, Alex said, “No reason huh…doesn’t deserve it…well, I think she does and this is how I treat my woman…maybe you need to take some pointers from me son, ya might learn somethin’. Now get your stuff and get out…and you, you sit back down and shut up!”

Slowly, Maggie again took a seat in the chair.

“First off, I’m not your son…and no sir…I don’t need any pointers, especially from someone like you, because there is nothing I could learn. I already know how to treat a lady…with respect and love.”

Roy closed his eyes and shook his head…he knew that his partner had gone too far and said the wrong thing.

Oh partner…you’re really askin’ for trouble now. I gotta get you outta here, and quick, before somethin’ bad happens

“Someone like me, huh…guess you think you’re better than me…jus’ cause you’re a hotshot fireman and a paramedic…does that give you a superiority complex?”

Standing with his hands on his hips, Johnny replied, “No sir, I don’t think that I’m above or better than anyone…except maybe for a man who thinks beating a women is right…for thinking that that’s the way a lady should be treated. I don’t treat any lady like that.”

Junior, that’s what he wants you to do, pick a fight with ‘im…just ignore him and let’s get outta here

Alex wasn’t used to having anyone even dare to talk back to him, not even his wife, mainly because the majority of the people that knew him, knew how mean he could be and they all had enough common sense not to do it. But when he heard this tall and skinny paramedic do it, it angered him and he decided that this man needed to be taught a lesson.

As Johnny finished speaking, he saw Roy kneel down to close the biophone, as he moved over in front of the drug box and knelt down and closed it...he had his back to Alex.

As Johnny stood up, he saw the desperate look on Maggie's face and the tears flowing down her cheeks, silently pleading with him to take her with them. Remembering what she had said, about trying many times before to get away from her husband, Johnny was afraid that if they did leave her there, that this time, she might be killed.

Unfortunately, both paramedics missed the angry look that Alex gave Johnny.

Seeing Johnny looking at his wife, Alex spoke up and said, “Lookin’ at my woman huh? She usually looks better than she does right now.”

Looking at Alex, but ignoring him, Johnny turned back as he slightly leaned over and gently placed his hand on Maggie’s shoulder.

Softly speaking to her, he asked, "Mrs. Hampton, are you sure that you don't want to go to Rampart? If you want to go, it won’t be any problem, we’ll take you."

Just as Johnny straightened back up and before Maggie could answer, Alex again pointed the gun at the younger man.

"You know boy, you’ve got a big mouth and you don’t listen very well…plus, I don’t like you very much.”

Seeing this and hearing Alex pull the hammer back, Roy tried to warn his friend, as the older paramedic made a move towards his partner.

"Johnny, look...!"

But he was too late and Alex pulled the trigger…twice.

“Alex…NO!”

Johnny had heard Roy speaking to him, and at the same time he heard what he thought was gun shots…but it took his brain a few seconds to register what the burning sensation was that he suddenly felt in his back.

Feeling the excruciating pain in his lower back, it finally registered in his brain that he had been shot. Johnny slowly looked up at his best friend and Roy saw how his friend’s face suddenly went pale and sweaty…he also saw the look of surprise, pain and fear in Johnny’s brown eyes.

"Roy...help me...please..."

No longer being able to stand, Johnny began to sink to the floor and Roy quickly moved over beside of him to catch him before he fell. Catching his partner, Roy gently and carefully lowered him to the carpeted surface.

"Johnny...Johnny, are you alright? Answer me partner."

Not getting an answer, Roy checked for a pulse and respirations…they were both there, so Roy knew that his best friend was still alive, only unconscious…and seriously hurt. Even though there was only a small amount of blood on the back of his best friend’s uniform shirt, Roy realized that at the range that the gun had been fired, Johnny’s internal injuries would probably be severe. He knew that with Johnny being seriously injured, he would have to get his friend to the hospital, as soon as possible.

~~~~~~

Alex Hampton just stood there...starring down at the injured paramedic and his partner, as he kept the gun pointed at Johnny’s head…Maggie Hampton was sobbing, as she stood there, in disbelief and shock over what her husband had just done…and Roy kept pleading with his partner to be alright.

“Why Alex…why did you do this to him?”

"Johnny...please Junior...answer me...come on partner, hang on...please don't do this to me, you're gonna be alright...hang on."

Turning back to his wife, Alex shouted, "You…you made me do that to him…I didn’t want to but you…you made me…you shouldn’t have had them here!"

"No…no I didn't...you..."

Slapping Maggie again made her fall to the floor, causing her even more pain.

“Don’t argue with me…you know better than that!”

This time, it was Roy who was about to move towards her, but seeing Alex suddenly pointing the gun at him, made him stay with his wounded partner.

"Don't move...or you'll be in the same shape as you friend there...how 'bout it...you think he wants another one, how about in the head...or do you want one?"

Seeing this, Roy shielded his best friend and partner with his own body, not knowing what Alex might do.

"No…he doesn’t want another one. Please, my partner is badly injured...let me get him out of here, he needs a doctor...please." Roy begged.

They suddenly heard the sounds of sirens from the approaching ambulance.

Becoming even more nervous, thinking it was the police, Alex pointed the gun at Roy and shouted, "Cops...did you call the cops on that thing?"

"No...I swear I didn't. It's the link to Rampart General Hospital, not the police...I didn't even have time to get in contact with the hospital yet. Please, when the ambulance attendants get here, let me get Johnny out."

"No, you're both stayin' right here. And if that is the cops, your partner...well, your partner is gonna be dead."

Holding his hand up in front of him, Roy said, "It isn't…it isn’t, it's the ambulance and it was dispatched for your wife."

Looking down at his still unconscious partner, Roy continued, "Now...now I need it for Johnny. Please let me get a pressure bandage on this, to stop the bleeding.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Roy leaned over and grabbed the drug box, pulling it close to him. After opening it, he pulled out a pressure bandage and gently placed it over the wound, causing Johnny to softly moan, but he never opened his eyes.

“Easy Johnny, just relax for me.” Roy softly told his partner.

Suddenly they all heard as the sirens got closer and this caused Alex to nervously walk over to the door and look out, but he kept the gun aimed at the paramedics. Roy didn't dare make a move for fear of what might happen to him…but mostly what would or could happen to Johnny.

"Alex...please, let these men go, Johnny’s injured and he needs help…he needs a hospital... please, there’s no reason to keep them here." Maggie begged.

Sarcastically answering, Alex said, "Johnny huh…I see you’re on a first name basis, how sweet…sit down and shut up…I’m gettin’ tired of talkin’ to you woman!"

Having the gun pointed at her, Maggie did as she was told and sat back down in the chair, softly crying. Just then, Johnny finally started to come around.

"Roy...where…where are…you...Roy help...help me...hurts…"

"I'm right here Junior, just lay still and don't try to move around. The ambulance is almost here and I'll get ya to Rampart, you'll be okay."

Becoming upset, Johnny whispered, "I'll lay still...can't move...Roy I can't...I can't feel anything from…Pally, what's wrong…with me...why can't I…I move...what…what happened…ta’ me…"

Hearing this made Roy even more nervous and he wondered if his best friend would be permanently paralyzed.

"Calm down for me...you were shot Johnny, but you're gonna be fine, just hang in there for me. How...where is it that...you can't feel anything?"

"My...my legs...can't move…my legs Roy…it hurts…pain…shootin’ up my back…it hurts Pally…my stomach…it hurts bad…gettin’ cold…I was...I remember...why did he...do this to me... just tryin’ ta’…ta’ help…why…?"

"I don't know Junior…I just don't know. I’ll get you out of here as soon as I can."

Alex walked back over to the paramedics and sarcastically asked, "Well, how's your friend doin’?"

Hearing Alex, Roy looked up from Johnny and said, "Not good, not good at all, he's para...he needs a doctor. Please let me get him out of here…he could die if…"

Getting frustrated and just wanting to get rid of the two men, Alex shouted, "All right, go...get him outta my house...now!"

"I'm gonna need help, I can't move him by myself and risk causing further damage. I need a backboard and some help to..."

Roy stopped talking when he heard the ambulance pull up and the attendants get out. As he looked back, he saw Alex point the gun at Johnny.

"Are you willin' to risk his life...get out or I’ll finish the job!"

Roy felt Johnny’s body jerk as Alex yelled. He placed his hand on his shoulder to calm him.

“Easy Junior, it’ll be okay. All right Mr. Hampton, you have the gun so you’re in charge, just take it easy. I’ll get him out, but I just need to be slow and very easy when I move him…okay.”

“All right, but you two just get out of here!”

Turning around to speak to the attendants, Roy yelled, “You guys just wait out there…but have a backboard ready…and a blanket to!”

Nodding their understanding, ambulance attendants, Jason Belcher and Wayne McKinney did as the paramedic ordered.

Looking back and down at Johnny, Roy asked, “You still with me partner?”

“Yeah…yeah partner…I’m…still with ya…hurts Pally…hurts to…to breathe…Roy please don’t…let me die…please…I’m so…cold…sleepy…to…”

“You are not going to die, so don’t even think that way. Now, listen to me…I’ve got to move ya Junior, I’ve got to get…”

Interrupting his partner, Johnny’s breath came in pants, as he begged, “No…please…it’ll hurt…”

Trying to calm his friend, Roy said, “I know it will Johnny, I know, but I’ve got to get’cha out of here, but I promise, I’ll be just as easy as I can. Then when I get ya outside, I’ll warm you up…are you ready for this?”

Shutting his eyes against the pain, Johnny whispered, “No…but I guess…I don’t have… much of a choice…just…just get me…warm…please…”

Seeing Johnny shivering, Roy said, “Will do partner.”

With Johnny being on his stomach, Roy straddled him and placed his hands under his arms, and said, “Okay Johnny, here we go…on three. One…two…three.”

“Ahhhh…hurts…!”

Roy tried to ignore his partner’s cries and pulled him towards the front door. Seeing the paramedic coming towards them, Jason stepped up and held the door opened. Just after stepping outside, they heard the front door slam close.

“Roy…Roy what’s…gonna happen to…to her now…he’ll…he might…kill her…”

“I don’t know Johnny, but I hope he won’t, just rest. Wayne, bring the backboard over here and help me move Johnny onto it. Easy now.”

Wayne did as he was told, as he laid the backboard down on the porch and very gently helped to move the dark-haired paramedic onto it.

Roy heard Johnny moan, as he quietly said, “You’re okay Johnny, just relax and we’ll be at the hospital in a few minutes.”

“Thanks…Pally…I gotta…rest…” Johnny softly replied, as he lost consciousness.

“You’re welcome Junior. Jason, cover him up and let’s move, I’ll check him out and contact Rampart on the way in. ”

Jason covered Johnny, then he and Wayne took the injured paramedic to the ambulance and placed him inside, then Wayne then hurried to the squad and drove it in. As they made their way to Rampart Emergency, Roy took Johnny’s vitals then got on the biophone to the hospital.

“Rampart, this is County 51, how do you read me?”

“We read you loud and clear 51, go ahead.” Dixie replied.

“Rampart, we have a male, 29 years of age, he’s been shot twice, in the lower back by a .38 caliber handgun…bleeding has been controlled and the patient is once again unconscious …he is also unable to move his legs and we have him on a backboard…vital signs are, B/P is 80/50, pulse is 150 and irregular, respiration is 30 and shallow…Rampart…the victim is Johnny.”

“10-4 51, stand by, I’m calling for a doctor.” Dixie was finally able to reply.

She picked up the phone and quickly had Doctor Brackett paged.

“Page Doctor Brackett to the base station, stat.”

“Dr. Brackett to the base station stat…Dr. Brackett to the base station stat.”

“Hang on Johnny…you’ve got to be okay.” Dixie softly whispered to herself.

It was only seconds later the Kel appeared at the base station.

“What’ve we got Dix?”

Dixie didn’t immediately answer, she only looked up slowly at Kel and handed him the pad that she had taken the information down on. Before she even spoke, Brackett could tell by the look on her face that it was going to be bad news.

Trying to keep her tears from starting, she quietly whispered, “Its Johnny…they were on a call and…he’s been shot Kel.”

Reading what the head nurse had written down, Kel slowly looked up and said, “Oh no…he can’t move his legs.”

Turning to the radio, Kel pressed the button and said, “51 this is Rampart, start an IV D5W TKO, put Johnny on 6 liters of O2 and transport immediately…also, keep me informed of any change in his B/P.”

“10-4 Rampart, IV and O2. ETA is about twenty minutes.”

“10-4 51, bring him straight to treatment room 4.”

“10-4 Rampart.”

Looking back at his injured friend and partner, Roy softly said, “Hang on Johnny…please hang on.”

The twenty-minute ride seemed like twenty hours to Roy, as he rode with his partner to Rampart. He worried about how Johnny would take the news if the paralysis turned out to be permanent, and his mind went back to the announcement that his best friend had made only moments earlier at the station and how happy Johnny seemed to be.

Roy knew that after they arrived at Rampart, and after he found out if Johnny was going to be all right, that he would have to make two very difficult phone calls…the first, to the station to let Cap and the guys know what had happened…and the other…to the lady that his partner loved so much, and he couldn’t help but wonder how this would impact on Johnny’s decision to ask Savannah to marry him.

Would the love she seemed to have for him still be there, but also be strong enough to pull Johnny through this latest crisis…and if the paralysis did turn out to be permanent, would she decide that she couldn’t handle it and leave, then leave him and the rest of Johnny’s friends to pick up the pieces? Roy only hoped that nothing between his best friend and Savannah would change.

Hearing the back up warning signal on the ambulance beeping, brought Roy back to the present and looking up, he saw that they were backing into the emergency entrance at Rampart and he saw that Kel and Dixie were waiting for them. He did another quick check of his partner’s blood pressure.

Oh great, here I am daydreaming and his B/P has fallen some more…I’m sorry Junior, but you’ve really got me worried here

As the ambulance stopped and the doors opened, Roy and the attendants pulled Johnny from inside the vehicle.

Stepping up to the gurney, Kel asked, “Roy, how’s Johnny doin’?”

As they hurried down the hall, Roy filled Brackett in.

“Not too good Doc, his B/P has dropped to 60/40. He regained consciousness a few minutes after he was shot and stayed conscious and alert but in a lot of pain till just before we loaded him into the ambulance…but he’s been out ever since.”

“He probably has massive internal bleeding. How far away was he from the gun when it was fired?”

With Roy walking by his partner, holding the IV bag, Wayne and Jason wheeled Johnny into treatment 4 and gently moved him from the gurney to the treatment table.

"The lady’s husband was pretty close to ‘im…I don’t really know Doc…the guy
was pacin’ back and forth and then…he…he pointed the gun and pulled the trigger…"

Brackett could see that Roy was still in shock over what happened to Johnny, but he needed to know this information in order to help the dark-haired paramedic.

Grabbing Roy’s arm, Kel said, “Roy…come on, stay with me…I need to know. How far away was he from Johnny?”

Taking a deep breath and composing himself, Roy whispered, “Only about three or four feet…maybe less.”

Knowing that wasn’t good, Kel looked up at Dixie and said, “Dix, call x-ray and get ‘em down here stat, then call and tell them to have an OR standing by, as soon as we get Johnny stabilized, we’ll have to get him up there. Then get at least 8 units of AB Negative blood down here and get two units started now and have the other six for the OR. Also find Joe…I’m gonna need his help when we get him into surgery…my guess is that he’s bleeding out.”

Nodding her head, she answered, “Right away Kel.”

The head nurse made the phone calls that the doctor had ordered. After a few moments, the portable x-ray unit was pushed into the room.

“Kel, OR 2 will be ready when you are.”

“Okay Dix, thanks. Malcolm, I need films of his spine and his abdomen…I need them stat.”

Nodding to Brackett, he replied, “Right Doc.”

As the three friends walked out of the room, Malcolm got to work taking the x-rays. As Roy walked out into the hall, he leaned up against the wall.

Rubbing his hand over his face, Roy asked, “Doc…Johnny’s in bad shape, isn’t he?”

“With what you’ve told me and by how close Johnny was to the gun when it was fired …yeah, he is.”

“Is the paralysis gonna be permanent?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Kel replied, “Roy, you know that I can’t say either way right now, it’s just too soon to tell. We’ll have to wait and see what the x-rays show… exactly where the bullets are located and what the extent of the damage is.”

“I know…I was just hopin’. I can’t believe that this has happened.”

Touching the worried paramedic’s arm, Dixie said, “Neither can we Roy. How did this happen?”

Taking in a deep breath, Roy said, “It all happened so fast…we were…”

Roy went on to explain to his two friends what took place after they entered the house, and as he finished his story, Malcolm came out of the treatment room.

“Doc, I’ll have these for ya in about five minutes.”

“Okay Malcolm, thanks.”

As the three friends entered into the room, they heard Johnny, as he started to moan and call out for his best friend.

“R…Roy help…help me…hurts…Roy…make it…make it stop…”

Hurrying over to his friend, Roy gently placed his hand on Johnny’s shoulder, as he said, “Easy Junior, just relax and take it easy…Doc’s gonna take care of ya and everything’s gonna be fine. Just rest.”

“O…okay…Pally…”

Johnny never opened his eyes, but relaxed just hearing his partner’s voice…he knew that with his best friend by his side that he was going to be fine, as he let darkness once again claim him.

Minutes later, Malcolm came in and brought the x-rays.

“Doc, here ya go.”

“Thanks Malcolm.”

Brackett took the films from the envelope and put them up. He frowned and Roy didn’t miss the look on his face.

“Doc, I can tell that it’s not good. How bad is it?”

“I’m sorry Roy, it’s bad. His belly is full of blood.”

Pointing to his friend’s x-rays, he continued.

“Right here, the bullets are lodged here…and here. One bounced around and has done some major damage to his organs and you can see how it’s lodged in his liver, may be a little tricky to remove…but the other one…it’s lodged in his spine.”

Roy leaned on the table, as he whispered, “Oh no.”

“But right now, if it doesn’t shift, we should be able to get it, along with the other one. We’ve got to get Johnny upstairs and into surgery.”

The orderlies came in and gently moved Johnny over to the gurney and rolled him out of the room and down the hall toward the elevators.

“Have you had a chance to call the station yet Roy?”

Walking down the hall beside his partner, Roy answered, “No…not yet. I wanted to wait and at least be able to tell them something about Johnny’s condition.”

Reaching the elevators, Kel replied, “Well, Johnny’s gonna be up in surgery for a while so why don’t you go and call, then try to relax…it’s gonna be a while.”

“Yeah, okay Doc, I will. Oh, and Doc?”

“Yeah?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Roy said, “Take good care of ‘im…please.”

Hearing the concern and worry in the paramedic’s voice and knowing how close Roy and Johnny were, Kel replied, “You know we will Roy.”

Roy stood and watched as the gurney with his injured friend was rolled into the elevator and the doors closed. Finally being able to walk away, Roy made his way to the closest pay phone.

Picking up the receiver and depositing a dime, Roy dialed the number at the station.

“LA County Fire Department, Captain Stanley.”

“Cap…its Roy.”

Hank could tell by the tone of his paramedic’s voice that something was wrong, and with Roy calling, it had to be Johnny.

“Where are you guys…Roy, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Johnny…on that last run…Cap, he was…he was shot by the victim’s husband and we’re at Rampart.”

“What…shot…you’ve got to be kidding…how is he?”

Hearing this, three worried friends gathered around Hank, as Roy went on to relay to his Captain the details about what he knew so far about Johnny’s injuries…the paralysis and how Doctor Brackett didn’t know if it would be permanent or not.

“Roy, we’ll be down as soon as we can. You try to hang in there, I’m sure Johnny’s gonna be all right.”

Hoping that his friend was right, Roy said, “Okay Cap, at least I’ll try. I’ve gotta call Savannah and let her know what’s happened.”

Usually it was his responsibility to call the loved ones of his crew, if anything happened to one of them, so Hank offered to do it.

“Would you like for me to call her?”

“No…no I’ll do it, but thanks anyway. I’ll see you guys when you get here, bye Cap.”

“Bye Roy.”

Hanging up, Roy needed a minute before he called Savannah. At first, he wondered if Johnny would want her to know or would even want her there, but he decided that, by calling her, he would be able to tell if she would stand by his best friend…or turn and run…he was hoping with all he had that this lady would stand by his best friend.

Finally calling, Roy nervously waited for someone to answer.

“California Highway Patrol, Officer Hope Jensen, may I help you?”

“Ah yes…could I speak to Officer Peterson please…Savannah Peterson?”

“Hold just a moment.”

A few minutes later, Savannah came on the line.

“This is Savannah Peterson, how can I help you?”

“Savannah…this is Roy.”

As soon as Roy spoke, Savannah could feel that something was wrong.

“Roy…something’s happ…no Roy, please…please just tell me that Johnny’s alright.”

“Savannah, calm down and listen to me. On our last run, Johnny…”

After telling Savannah the bad news, and her saying that she would be there as soon as she could, Roy went into the doctor’s lounge to await news on his best friend and partner and for the rest of his friends to arrive. Looking up at the clock, it had only been fifteen minutes since Johnny had been taken to surgery. Minutes later, he heard the door open.

Hank was the first through the door, as he asked, “Roy, any news on John?”

“No Cap, nothin’ yet. They only took him up about fifteen minutes ago.”

“Well how was he when they took him up?”

“He was unconscious Chet. He was starting to come around after the x-rays and he was in a lot of pain, so I talked to him, told him he’d be okay so he relaxed. Then they came and took him up upstairs.”

“Any idea how long he’ll be up there?”

Looking at the engineer, Roy answered and said, “No Mike, all Brackett said was that it would be a while. Johnny’s got some major internal damage from where he was standin’ so close when the guy fired the gun, so the only thing we can do right now, is wait.”

The crewmembers of 51 each got a cup of coffee and took a seat around the table as they began the long wait for news on their youngest member’s condition. As Roy was about to go into what had happened, Savannah rushed into the lounge, in a panic and wanting to see Johnny.

“Roy…where is he…please tell me he’s okay…I wanna see ‘im.”

Standing, and placing his hands on her arms to calm her, he said, “Savannah, you can’t see ‘im right now…Brackett and Early have taken Johnny up to surgery and he was holdin’ his own when they went up…he’s been up there for a little over fifteen minutes. It’s gonna be a while so you need to calm down and…”

“I don’t want to calm down…I want to know…is he…is he alright?”

Seeing that she was very upset, Hank stood and began talking to her.

“Honey, listen to me, all any of us can do now is wait. He’s got the best doctors in the county workin’ on him and I know he’s gonna be fine. Now…you have a seat here at the table and I’ll get you a cup of coffee. Roy was about to tell us what happened.”

Realizing that there was nothing that she could do at the moment and that Hank was right, she took a deep breath to calm herself, then took a seat that Mike offered her.

“Thanks Mike. I’m sorry I’m just…I’m just scared…I don’t…I can’t lose him.”

“You aren’t gonna lose him Savannah…none of us are.” Chet softly said.

With everyone seated, Roy again told the story of what happened after they entered the house.

~~~~~~

After two and a half-hours of waiting, Doctors Brackett and Early joined the worried crew in the lounge. Roy was the first one on his feet, asking about his best friend and partner.

“Doc…what’s the news…is Johnny alright?”

Kel considered all of the men that stood before him…and now Savannah, to be his friends…including the dark-haired paramedic that he and Joe had just operated on. He only wished that he had better and more encouraging news to tell his friends.

Kel took a deep breath and let it out before he spoke…that was a sign to the guys that they weren’t going to be told the best of news.

“Guys…Savannah, right now, Johnny’s in recovery…he’s critical due to all of the blood loss, but we were finally able to get all of the bleeding stopped and all the damage to his organs repaired. Right now he’s holding his own and we have him on O2 and blood to replace what he lost.”

The crew could see that Doctor Brackett hadn’t told them everything and was afraid that there was going to be even more bad news. Savannah just stood there, clinging to Stoker and listening to her friends…trying to ready herself for the worse possible news.

Finally, Chet spoke up.

“Doc, is there more to it?”

Shaking his head, Kel replied, “Yeah Chet, there is.”

Kel stopped when he saw Savannah’s face go pale.

To try to reassure her, he said, “He’s alright Savannah, he’s fine. It’s just…well, I’m sorry to say that we were only able to remove one of the bullets.”

Not being able to believe it, Marco spoke up and asked, “Just one…but…but why couldn’t you get both of them?”

“There was too much swelling around his spine and where it’s lodged, it would have been too risky to try to remove it. And it’s very possible that we could have caused even more damage if we had tried.”

“But you’ll be able to remove it eventually won’t you?”

“Yes Mike, I think we will, but we’ll have to wait for the swelling to go down before we can operate again. That should take about a week.”

“Doctor Early, what about the paralysis…after you do the second operation, will Johnny be able to walk?”

Joe looked down at his hands and rubbed them together before he answered Stanley. Savannah had learned very quickly, from dating Johnny for as long as she had, what the little looks, glances and actions that she was seeing from these men really meant…she was hoping that the news the Doctor was about to give them would be good…but she wasn’t holding her breath.

Looking up, he said, “I don’t know Hank, it’ll depend on how much damage the bullet caused and how severe it is.”

Hearing this gave all of Johnny’s friends a small glimmer of hope that their friend would completely recover.

“So then, there’s a chance that Johnny could walk again…if the damage isn’t bad, right Doc?” Roy hopefully asked.

Although neither of the Doctors was very optimistic about that, Joe answered and said, “Well there’s…there’s always that chance Roy.”

By the tone and hesitation in Early’s voice, that small glimmer of hope quickly disappeared.

“There’s a chance…but neither one of you really believe that, do you?” Marco asked.

The two doctors only looked at each other and then down to the floor and the crew knew what that meant…and so did Savannah.

“We can take that as a no, can’t we Doc?” Mike quietly asked.

Finally looking up at his friends and sadly nodding his head, Kel replied, “From the way it looks…right now, chances are that Johnny…he’ll never walk again.”

The five friends stood there, stunned at the news that they had just been told. One minute they thought that their friend would be fine and the next they learned that he may not be. The thought of their friend, who had always been so active doing all the outdoor activities that he loved to do, never being able to walk again, was hard for the men to comprehend and accept…especially for Roy.

Savannah spoke up and softly asked, “So…Johnny’s going to be permanently paralyzed …isn’t he?”

“Probably.” was all Brackett could say.

“Junior…I’m so sorry partner.” Roy softly whispered to himself, turning away from his friends.

Roy didn’t want to accept that his best friend would be permanently paralyzed.

Turning back to his friends, Roy said, “There’s gotta be a mistake…this can’t be happenin’, not to Johnny…it’s because of me, it’s all my fault.”

That reaction from Roy was exactly what the others had expected, so Cap tried to reason with his senior paramedic.

“Roy, it is not your fault, you were not the one who pulled the trigger. You kept your head in a very dangerous situation and got both you and Johnny outta there…you saved his life pal.”

Shaking his head and pacing around the room, Roy replied, “Oh yeah, this is some kind of life he’s gonna have…one of bein’ permanently paralyzed…and stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. No…no, it is my fault, Cap, I never should have moved him like I did…I shoulda waited for help…if I had…”

Savannah quickly cut him off and said, ”If you had…both you and Johnny could be dead. Roy, from what you’ve told us, you didn’t have much of a choice, you did what you had to do…so stop blaming yourself. Even if he doesn’t walk again, you saved his life…and I…we…we still have him with us.”

“No Savannah, you don’t understand. I know he’s still alive and I am so very grateful for that, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him, but I…I moved him without…”

Brackett interrupted the paramedic and said, “Yes Roy, we do understand, you moved him without taking all the proper spinal precautions, but Hank and Savannah are right…you did what you had to do, for both you and Johnny.”

Seeing Roy shaking his head, Kel continued, as he said, “Look, from where the bullet hit, he was paralyzed before you ever moved him…and you know that. Did he tell you that he couldn’t move or feel his legs before you moved him?”

“Yeah, he did but if…”

Kel once again interrupted and said, “No ifs…so that does not make it your fault. But if the paralysis is permanent…and I’m saying if because I’m hoping I’m wrong and it won’t be… but if it is, you know better than anyone else how Johnny is gonna take it.”

“Not well.” Mike softly replied.

Looking at Mike, Kel said, “That’s right Mike, not well at all. He’s gonna be angry, depressed and not to mention being very resentful over what happened to him, and who knows how he’ll really handle it or…or what he could do.”

Knowing what Brackett was implying, Roy quickly spoke up and said, “Now wait a minute, Johnny would never do anything to hurt himself, no matter how this turns out…he isn’t that type of person.”

“Roy, no one wants to think that, especially about Johnny…but it has, unfortunately, happened, and to people that would never have though about doing it otherwise. When a person’s life is changed like that…sometimes it happens. Listen to me, if this does turn out to be permanent, Johnny’s going to need all of us to help him through this…but especially you.” Joe said, pointing at Roy.

Roy looked at the Doctor…knowing that his friend was right, Johnny would need him, more now than any other time in his life. Then Doctor Early continued.

“You’re his best friend, and all of us have seen you get through to him, as well as gettin’ him through things, when none of the rest of us have been able to. So stop the guilt trip…right now…Johnny isn’t gonna need that, so let’s concentrate on helping that partner of yours get on with his life, if this doesn’t turn out the way we want.”

“And I’ll be there to help in any and every way that I can.” Savannah told the gathered group.

That was a relief to all of Johnny’s friends. They had all been worried about what she would do after she found out.

“Thanks Savannah…you sticking by him is gonna help him more than anything. Johnny’s gonna need all of us.”

Turning to Doctor Early, Roy continued, “Doc, what you said…that sounds like something Dixie would say…but, I guess you’re right, he’s gonna need all the help he can get. When can we see him?”

“As soon as we move him from recovery and into ICU, should be in about an hour.” Brackett replied.

“Thanks Doc, both of you, for everything you’ve done.”

“You’re welcome Roy. Well, I’ve got some other patients to see, so I’ll check in on Johnny a little later. See you guys later.” Joe said, as he made his way to the door.

The crew said their good-byes to the doctor as he exited the room.

Walking over to Roy, Kel said, “I’ll go on back up and check on Johnny and I’ll come and let you all know when we have him settled. Try not to worry.”

Slightly smiling, Roy said, “I’ll try. Thanks Doc, for everything.”

“You’re welcome Roy.”

With that Brackett left the room, leaving the men and Savannah alone. Everyone got comfortable again, as they waited to be able to see their friend. Seeing the look on Roy’s face, Mike walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

Speaking, Stoker said, ”Johnny’s gonna be fine Roy…we’ll all get him through this, no matter what happens, you’ll see.”

Roy only half-heartedly smiled at the engineer, then took a seat on the couch, as he waited to be able to go see his best friend. As he sat there, he thought about what Early had said, about him being the one who was able to help Johnny through things, and he tried to figure out how he would ever be able to help his partner through this…he only hoped that he could.

~~~~~~

It was two hours before Doctor Brackett returned to the lounge. When he did, five very worried firefighters and an even more worried Savannah met him. Hearing the door open, the gathered friends turned to see Brackett walk through the door. Savannah met him first, followed by Roy.

“Doctor Brackett, what’s wrong with Johnny…why has it taken so long?”

“Calm down, he’s alright.”

“Doc…has Johnny been sick?” Roy asked.

Roy knew his partner better than anyone and knew that Johnny always had a problem when coming out of the anesthesia after any surgery that he had…at least, that’s what DeSoto hoped it was. The rest of the crew and Savannah gathered around Roy to hear the news.

Seeing the smile come to Kel’s face, Roy knew that he was right.

“Yes Roy, Johnny’s been pretty sick, as always, but we’ve got it taken care of and we’ve moved him into ICU…he’s resting now.”

“Can we see him?”

“Sure Chet, but only stay a few minutes, he needs all the rest he can get. Come on, I’ll take you guys up.”

Kel took the five Firefighters and the police officer up to the ICU and Johnny. Walking into the room, Brackett took his friends to cubicle 6 and through the door, they could see Johnny lying flat on his back, he was hooked up to IV’s and blood and had a nasal canula that was delivering oxygen to him.

Roy whispered to his friends and said, “Guys, Savannah…maybe you better let me go in first…let me talk to him for a few minutes and see how he’s gonna react to havin’ us all here…I don’t think he would want all of us comin’ in on him all at once.”

Reluctantly, everyone agreed, and they let Roy go in alone. Walking up to the bed, Roy saw that his best friend was awake and starring up at the ceiling…Roy tried to ready himself for any reaction that would come from Johnny.

“Hey Junior…how ya feelin’?”

“Oh, I’m not feelin’ too good right now Pally…not feelin’ much of anything either, but thanks for askin’.”

Roy heard the sarcasm and anger coming from his friend, but he tried to ignore it…he knew Johnny had every right to feel the way he did.

“Well, I just wanted to let you know that we’re all here…Savannah and the guys are…”

Johnny interrupted his friend and asked, “Savannah’s here…you called her?”

“Yeah, I thought she needed to be here, she’s been scared to death, like all of us have been.”

Johnny was becoming angry, as he said, “You had no right to call her. The rest of the guys are here to huh?”

“Sorry, I just thought…yeah, the guys are outside in the hall and they wanna come in and see ya. Is that all right?”

Swallowing hard and closing his eyes, Johnny answered, “No…it’s not all right…I don’t wanna see anybody right now…not even Savannah. I don’t want their pity Roy…or yours. I don’t wanna live like this, why didn’t you just let me die?”

Roy was totally shocked by that remark. Looking away from his friend, Roy noticed that the door was still open and he was afraid that his friends outside would hear their conversation. Roy stepped over and closed the door but signaled to his friends that everything was all right.

Coming back over to the bed, Roy looked at his best friend and said, “Where did that come from…I was not gonna let you die Johnny…in fact, you asked me not to, do you remember that? You listen to me…”

“I don’t wanna hear it Roy, don’t talk to me that way, I’m not one of your kids. I was wrong to ask you that…you shoulda let me die …I’m…I’m paralyzed and that’s…never gonna change, so just leave me alone!”

It was hard to hear the angry words coming from his best friend, but Roy stood his ground and wasn’t going to let his partner give up.

“Nope, I’m not gonna leave ya alone…and if you’re gonna act like one of my kids, then I’m gonna treat ya like one of my kids. Look Johnny, you have every right to feel the way you do, nobody’s denying that, so get mad all you want, throw things if it makes ya feel better, yell if you want, but I’m…we…your friends, are not about to let you have a pity party for yourself. So, as I was gonna say, Brackett told us that when the swelling goes down, that he would be able to operate again and remove the other bullet…then after you’ve healed from that, you take therapy and there’s a possibility that you’ll be able to walk again.”

Seeing his best friend roll his eyes, Roy kept talking to him.

“It’s just gonna take some time, but we’re all gonna be here for ya Johnny, to help in anyway that we can.”

“Oh yeah, I’ll walk again…and in the meantime, I’ll be a burden on everybody. Well, if you believe that I’m gonna be back to normal, I’ve got a bridge that I’ll sell ya…real cheap.”

Hoping to lift his partner’s spirits, Roy laughed and said, “Well, since it’s cheap, I’ll buy it…cause I believe you’ll walk again, and so does everybody out there in the hall. Now all we have to do is to get you to believe it.”

Roy remembered what Brackett had said…chances were that Johnny would never walk again…but he didn’t want to see his best friend feeling sorry for himself or maybe see him sink into a deep depression that he may never come out of…he knew what Johnny’s career as a Firefighter/Paramedic meant to him and what it would mean if he couldn’t do it any longer.

Roy hoped, that at least by telling Johnny that there was a chance, that it would give his friend some hope, and the guts, to work at making that chance a reality.

“Like I said, I don’t want pity Roy…my career of being a Firefighter/Paramedic is over and I have to accept that or…or just end it all and put myself outta everybody’s misery…and my own.”

Hearing his best friend talk that way made Roy very worried…and Johnny saw it by the look on Roy’s face.

“What’s the matter partner…afraid I’ll end it all and I won’t be around for you guys to pity me…I don’t want it, and I don’t need it.” Johnny angrily said.

Roy was beginning to lose his patience and his temper with his best friend, but he tried to hide it…realizing the trauma that Johnny had been through and with the paralysis, was still going through. But the more Roy talked the madder he got…his partner and best friend could be so hardheaded at times…just like he could be.

“That’s not funny Johnny.”

“Didn’t say it to be funny Roy.”

Taking a deep breath, Roy said, “Why do you think that we pity you…just because we were scared to death and worried over what happened…cause we were afraid that you might die? Ya know, I don’t understand it partner…you’ve been hurt before and we’ve worried about you, but you’ve never acted like this any of the other times. Why is this time different?”

Johnny was getting more upset and he let Roy know it.

“Because…this time my life isn’t gonna go back to normal…it’s not like gettin’ hit by that car, or the snakebite or even that stupid virus…I’m not just gonna get outta here and go back to work as if nothin’ happened…I’m paralyzed Roy…I can’t walk!”

“Well, if you consider us worrying and caring about you pity…then excuse the hell outta us for being scared and afraid that we might lose one of the most important people in our lives!”

Johnny just turned his head away from his partner and best friend.

Softly he said, “Just leave me alone Roy, I’m done talkin’. I don’t wanna see anybody right now either.”

But Roy kept trying, as he said, “Johnny, don’t you realize how many people you have that care about you and want to help you get through this…those four guys out there, that we’ve worked with for years, they all care…Savannah, the lady that you claim to love so much, and you’re just about to push her away, she cares…Dixie and the Docs…as much as they’ve worked on ya and taken care of ya…I think that they’ve already proven that they care… along with the whole LA County Fire Department…and me…now that’s a lot.”

Seeing that Johnny wasn’t going to respond to him, Roy finally said, “Ya know, as long as I’ve known you, I thought you’d have the guts to get through anything…or to at least try to…I mean, you did all those other times…but, I guess I was wrong.”

Roy finally realized that he wasn’t going to get through to his friend…at least, not right now.

“Okay…okay fine, if that’s the way you want it, I’ll leave you alone…we’ll all leave you alone…and I’m done talkin’ too. I’m not gonna stand here…no I can’t stand here and watch you do this to yourself…you wanna drown in self pity, then go ahead, but don’t expect me to be here to watch…I care about’cha too much for that. Johnny…you are my best friend…and I’m here and willin’ to help you in any and every way that I possibly can…but I won’t watch you destroy yourself like this…I can’t.”

After a moment, still with no reaction from Johnny, Roy turned away from the bed and his best friend, as he walked out of the room…as Johnny’s tears began to roll down his face. His best friend had just walked out on him, and even though he knew he caused it, it still hurt. Johnny didn’t know why his best friend couldn’t understand that he just needed time to deal with what happened…he couldn’t understand why he was unable to just tell Roy that.

“Roy please…just give me…some time…bear with me…I have to get…get used to this…please don’t walk…out of my life…not now Pally.” Johnny whispered through his tears.

Walking out into the hall, everyone gathered around Roy to find out what happened with Johnny.

“Roy, how is he…is he all right?” Savannah asked.

“No, I don’t think so…I mean yeah, physically, I think he’s doin’ okay…mentally though…he’s havin a hard time accepting what happened. He was even talkin’…”

Roy suddenly stopped…he didn’t know if Johnny’s friends needed to know about that part of their conversation.

Brackett was worried as he asked, “Talking what Roy? If it’s something that’s worrying you, I need to know about it.”

“Doc, he’s talking…said somethin’ about puttin’ himself out of everybody’s misery…and his own. Doc, I’m afraid that he might try somethin’ stupid.”

“Roy, come on, maybe you just misunderstood what he said. I mean, I know Gage can do some pretty stupid things at times, we all do, but, no…Johnny would never do anything like that, even you said so.” Chet said.

Looking at his friend, Cap replied, “But remember what Dr. Early said…people that you think would never do it…”

He let the statement trail off…they all remembered what the Doctor said.

“I still don’t think he would.” Marco replied.

Being worried about his friend, Mike asked, “I don’t either. Doc, is there any way that we help Johnny?”

Sadly, Brackett replied, “Well Mike, until Johnny’s ready for help and wants it…there’s nothing we can do, at least not without him getting upset and defensive about it. I think Johnny’s just gonna need some time and we need to respect that and give it to him.”

Savannah became even more worried and said, “Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve had enough of this…I’m going in there and set him straight.”

Roy grabbed her by the arm to stop her.

“No honey, trust me, don’t go in there. Johnny made it perfectly clear to me that he wants to be left alone…he doesn’t want to see anybody, he doesn’t wanna talk to anybody…so let’s all just ease off and leave him alone for a while.”

Savannah wanted to protest, she felt that Johnny needed her, but she also knew that Roy knew his partner just a little bit better than she did. Walking to the window, she stood looking at the man that meant the world to her and she ached to be by his side to care for him. Neither she nor the rest of the dark-haired paramedic’s friends saw the tears that Johnny cried.

~~~~~~

Two weeks later, and Johnny having refused to go through with the second surgery, the dark-haired paramedic was still in the hospital…he had convinced himself that the paralysis was going to be permanent and there was no need to go through with another surgery and the sickness that he always went through afterwards.

During those weeks, with the exception of Doctor Brackett, he had refused to see or talk to anybody, including Roy and Savannah. Kel had been keeping all of Johnny’s friends up to date on the paramedic’s condition…both physically and mentally.

Even though he hated to tell his friends some of the news, Kel did…he told them of the depression that Johnny was sinking into, how quiet he had become since the shooting, along with the way he kept talking about ending it all and putting himself out of his misery…and how he had stopped eating. And as much as Kel had talked to his friend, he still couldn’t convince Johnny to have the second operation.

Brackett walked into Johnny’s room to check on the paramedic. He saw that his friend hadn’t eaten anything from his lunch tray…again.

“Hey Johnny, how ya feelin’? I see you didn’t eat again.”

“Alright…I’m feelin’ alright. I’m just not hungry right now.”

Johnny wouldn’t even look at the Doctor and Kel wasn’t convinced, and he could hear even more depression and hopelessness creeping into his friend’s voice, and it worried him more. Brackett thought he would try one more time to convince his hard headed friend to go through with the surgery.

“Uh huh, that’s what you’ve said ever since you’ve been in here, you’re losing too much weight. Ah Johnny, I don’t guess you’ve changed…”

Knowing what the Doctor was going to say, Johnny stopped him before he had the chance to finish.

“Doc, stop right there. No, I haven’t changed my mind and I’m not havin’ the other operation and be sick as a dog and then it not work. I’d really appreciate it if you’d just drop it…please.”

“Okay, fine…just thought I’d try. But how do you know it won’t work…besides, you can’t blame me for tryin’, can ya?”

“Nah, guess not Doc. It just shows what a good friend you are.”

The real reason that Kel came in the room, was that someone had come to him, wanting to see Johnny, but knowing how he was doing his friends, Kel didn’t know if Johnny would agree to see this lady…but he was going to ask. He hoped the lady that waited outside the door could possibly help his friend …somehow.

Seeing that Brackett was still standing there, Johnny asked, “Is there somethin’ else?”

“Yeah Johnny, there’s a lady outside that wants to see ya. She said…”

Again interrupting the Doctor, Johnny said, “No Doc…no…I’ve also told you, that I don’t wanna see or talk to anybody.”

Brackett was getting tired of the way Johnny had been acting and Johnny was going to see this lady if Kel had to force him to.

“Johnny…what are you gonna do when you get outta here…live like a hermit, not talking or seeing anybody…and tryin’ to do everything for yourself…and what are you tryin’ to do, by not eating…kill yourself? Let me tell ya somethin’ pal…starvation is not the most pleasant way to go. Look, her name is Maggie, Maggie Hampton, and she says that you know her. I think you should talk to her, then…you and I are gonna have a little chat. I’ll send her in.”

Maggie…yeah I know her, she’s part of the reason I’m in the shape I’m in…now she wants to see me

“But…”

Johnny started to protest but Kel had moved over to the door and had it opened before he was able to say much of anything.

“Mrs. Hampton, come on in.”

Well, I’ll *try* to be nice, but I ain’t makin’ no promises

Maggie slowly walked into Johnny’s room and went over to the bed.

“Johnny, don’t forget, I’ll be back to talk to you later.” Brackett said, as he saw Johnny roll his eyes.

**Oh thrill…I just can’t wait…just like I can’t wait for *this* visit to be over**

Kel quietly left the room

“Hi Mrs. Hampton, how are you feeling?” Johnny politely asked.

“I’m fine Mr. Gage, but please, call me Maggie. I just…I just wanted to come by and…and thank you…ya know, for what you did.”

Johnny was surprised, as he asked, “What I did…I don’t feel like I did anything special…in fact, I feel guilty that I couldn’t do more than I did. And please, call me Johnny.”

Motioning to sit on the side of the bed, Johnny shook his head yes and she took a seat. Sitting down, she slowly moved her hand and placed it on top of Johnny’s…he didn’t pull it away.

Squeezing his hand, Maggie said, “No Johnny, you did more than you know. By what you said to me, you made me finally realize…and believe…that I was worth something…that I didn’t deserve to live like I was, being beaten, practically everytime I turned around. And because of you…I finally got the nerve to go to the police and tell them what he’s done to me, file charges…and have the guts not to back down everytime Alex claimed he was sorry and that it would never happen again. I’m also filing for a divorce.”

Roy words came back to Johnny and they hit him like a ton of bricks.

**I thought you’d have the guts to get through anything…or to at least try to…guess I was wrong**

Johnny started thinking that if this lady had enough guts to leave her abuser and get on with living her life, then he should have the guts to have the surgery and try to walk again and get on with his life.

“Well, I’m glad it’s workin’ out for you…you really do deserve to be happy. Can I ask ya one thing though?” Johnny replied, coming out of his thoughts.

“Thank you…I’m gonna make it work, you were right, I don’t need to live like that. Sure, go ahead and ask.”

Being a little hesitant, Johnny took a deep breath, and asked, “When your husband walked in to the house…and he said somethin’ about…about you havin’ two guys there…what did he mean…if I’m not outta line by askin’.”

Looking down at the bed, Maggie finally answered and said, “Alex…he always thought that I…I was cheating on him…I wasn’t, ever…I took my marriage vows very seriously…but he never believed me. If he even *thought* that I had cheated, that would be one reason why… why he would beat me.”

“I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, really, it’s all right. But speaking of Alex…I also wanted to say how very sorry I am…about what he did to you. I feel so guilty, if only I hadn’t called you and your partner, you wouldn’t have been there…it wouldn’t have happened…and I am so very sorry. Is it going to be permanent?”

That caught Johnny off guard…he was almost too embarrassed to answer that.

“You have nothin’ to feel guilty about, you didn’t do this. And I…I guess it is…I have one of the bullets lodged in my spine and…well, Doc’s been tryin’ to get me to have another operation but…”

Maggie was shocked to here Johnny’s reply, as she asked, “But you won’t have it…why not, if there’s a chance it’ll help?”

All Johnny did was shrug his shoulders, but he knew the reason…he was afraid of the outcome. Seeing that Johnny wasn’t going to say anything, Maggie then went on.

“Johnny, please don’t get upset at your friend, but…well, Dr. Brackett already told me what’s been going on. Johnny please, the people of this County need you…you do so much more for people than just helping them when they’re sick or injured…people are able to talk to you, you’re a good listener, you offer advice and you’re willing to help…and if you can help me, you can help anybody. Johnny, I’m no longer going to allow Alex to ruin my life, please don’t him…or the paralysis…ruin yours. Have the second operation, then take the therapy and get back on your feet, show Alex that he can’t win…I am. People need you …not just the people on the street…but your friends as well…don’t push any of them away…not now, not when you really need them.”

Johnny looked away from Maggie and at first she thought he was mad over what she had said.

Looking at her watch, she quickly stood and said, “Well…I’ve probably said too much so, I’d better go, I think Dr. Brackett wanted to talk to you. Please, just think about what I said …and let me know how you’re doing, I really want to know.”

With no response from the paramedic, Maggie made it to the door, before turning back to the man, that she would always know, saved her life.

“Johnny, if I said anything out of line…I apologize.”

As Maggie was pulling the door open, Johnny said, “Maggie…wait. Please don’t think I’m angry, I’m not. In fact…I think *you* just helped me more than you know. I’ll be sure to keep you posted and I want you to do the same for me…let me know how things go.”

“I will.”

With that, Maggie left the paramedic alone. Johnny reached for the phone and dialed Roy’s number…he needed to talk to his best friend…he only hoped that Roy would still talk to him even after the way he had been acting. Kel had pushed the door partially open but stopped when he heard Johnny on the phone.

“Roy, ah, this is Johnny…well I was wonderin’, would you, if you’re not too mad at me, would you please come to Rampart…yeah, I’m fine…no, nothin’s wrong, I just, well I need to talk to ya…okay, thanks, partner…bye.”

**Well, looks like Maggie helped after all. That’s it Johnny, don’t give up on yourself, you can beat this thing…I know you can**

A smile remained on Kel’s face, as he quietly let the door close, as he walked away.

~~~~~~

About 35 minutes later, Roy arrived at the hospital and after going in, he went up to Johnny’s room. Pushing the door open, Roy saw Johnny sitting up in the bed, reading the newspaper.

“Can I come in?”

Lowering the paper, Johnny smiled and said, “Hey Roy, sure, come on in.”

Roy entered the room and walked over to the bed and stood at the side. With Johnny not wanting to see any of his friends since the shooting, there was an awkward silence between the two paramedics for a few moments.

Finally, Johnny spoke up and said, “Look Roy…I’m sorry…I…”

“Sorry for what?” Roy asked.

Looking down at the paper in his lap, Johnny said, “You know for what…for the way that I’ve acted towards you and the guys…and Savannah. I’ll be surprised if she ever talks to me again, and I wouldn’t blame her if she doesn’t…or you and the guys…man, I can be such a jerk at times.”

Smiling, Roy said, “Don’t worry about that, she will, in fact, she’s called the house almost everyday to ask me and Jo if we’ve talk to ya…she loves you Johnny, and she’s worried, like the rest of us…and no, none of us are gonna quit talkin’ to ya. Besides…all of us can be jerks sometimes…and I’m sorry for what I said too, I shoulda been more understanding about what you were goin’ through. So, now that that’s outta the way, what’s up?”

“Well partner…what’s up is…I think…I’m gonna go ahead and have the other surgery.”

Roy was surprised but excited at what he heard.

“What…you’re gonna…well that’s great Junior. And don’t think that I’m complainin’, I’m definitely not but…well what brought about this suddenly change of heart?”

“Maggie did.”

At first Roy didn’t know who Johnny was talking about and Johnny knew it by the look on his partner’s face.

“You remember…Maggie…Maggie Hampton…her husband Alex…the kind gentleman that got me into this mess and put me here in the first place…remember now?”

That day was something that Roy knew he would never forget…he may not have remembered the names but the day that his best friend’s life was changed was something that would always stick in his memory.

“Oh yeah…I do. What did she say?”

“Well…for starters, she thanked me for what I said…makin’ her realize that she was worth somethin’ and that she didn’t deserve to live gettin’ beat up all the time. She ah…well she also said…”

Seeing that Johnny didn’t want to finish, Roy asked, “She also said what?”

“She said that…that I shouldn’t let what Alex did to me ruin my life…and that I shouldn’t let the paralysis ruin it either. And Pally, what you said…while she was talkin’ to me…well it came back to me to.”

“What I said…I said a lot of things. Wanna be a little more specific?”

“The day I had my first surgery…after it was over, in the recovery room, when you told me that you thought that I had the guts to get through anything…well, seein’ that Maggie has the guts to get outta her situation and get her life back, made me want to at least try to get outta mine and get my life straightened out…maybe get strong enough to get back to work.”

Smiling, Roy said, “Junior, you don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that, I’m proud of ya. It may not be easy but the guys and me…and Savannah, are gonna be here for you, every step of the way. I know you can do it.”

“Well, after the way I’ve acted, it wouldn’t surprise me if you guys didn’t want to help…but I’m gonna need all the help I can get Pally. I guess…we need to tell Brackett and call the guys and see how quick we can get on with this.

“Okay partner, I’ll go and see what strings Brackett can pull. Would you wanna have the surgery today?”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Johnny answered, “Yeah, if I can…I just want it over with. Oh man, I’m gonna be so sick again.”

“I know, but I’ll be right here with ya. Be right back…oh, you want me to call Savannah?”

After thinking a moment, Johnny said, “Ah…no…you can call her tomorrow. Let me get over everything first.”

“Okay…I’ll be back.”

Roy left the room and went to talk to Brackett and to call the rest of crew to let them know the good news…and the strings that Kel had managed to pull had gotten Johnny into the OR later that day. As always, the young man was very sick and as always, Roy was right there with him to help get him through it.

After Johnny was taken into recovery, Roy was allowed to sit with him and help him each time he got sick. The dark-haired paramedic was exhausted, not only from going through the surgery, but also from the many times that he had vomited afterwards…which also made him out of breath.

“Easy Johnny, just relax. This is all gonna be over soon and everything’s gonna be fine.”

Roy wiped Johnny’s mouth, then carefully turning his partner back onto his back, Roy took another cool cloth and laid it across his friend’s forehead.

“Yeah, I know but…but it’s…it’s goin’ through it that’s…the bitch…oh man I’m…I’m hurtin’ again…tired to, need…need to rest…”

“Okay Junior, let me see if Doc can give ya somethin’ else for the nausea.”

As Roy started to stand, Johnny weakly grabbed his friend’s arm and said, “Don’t bother Pally…for some reason it…it doesn’t work…really could use somethin’ for…for the pain …I’m really hurtin’…”

As if sent for, Doctor Early came over to Johnny with some morphine…he had heard his two friends talking.

“Does somebody over here need something for pain?”

Slightly smiling, Johnny said, “Yeah Doc…I put in an order for…for the good stuff …I’m really hurtin’…it’s pretty bad…”

“I got just what you need. Now, you know it’s gonna make you pretty sleepy, so hopefully you can get a little rest.”

“Hope so…hate bein’ this…this sick…I’d rather sleep…oh man, here…here I go again…”

Once again, Johnny vomited, and after Roy and Joe got him settled back down, Early injected 10 mg of morphine into the IV tubing…Johnny felt as the drug went through his veins and he felt as the pain started to ease.

“Thanks Doc…now I…I…can…sleep…”

Just as the Doctor said, Johnny quickly became sleepy, and he slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.

“He’ll get some rest now Roy. Why don’t’cha go grab something to eat.”

“I hope so, he needs it. Nah, I’m okay, I think I’ll just stay with ‘im…thanks Doc.”

As Doctor Early left to check on other patients, Roy stayed by Johnny’s bed and kept watch over his best friend.

“Hang in there Junior, you’re gonna be alright.” Roy softly whispered.

~~~~~~

The next day, Roy called Savannah and let her know that Johnny had gone ahead and had the second surgery, and that he was doing fine. He told her that Brackett had informed them that even though Johnny still couldn’t feel his legs, that in a few days to maybe a week, that he could start taking therapy and he should start getting the feeling back…all of his friends were excited and happy about that.

Two days later, Johnny was feeling much better and was back in a private room, and taking therapy everyday. Savannah and the rest of the crew had been in to check up on him and see how he was doing. When everyone left, he and Roy were alone in the room, talking.

“Roy, remember when I said that I wanted to ask Savannah to marry me?”

“Yeah, you still gonna do it?”

Shaking his head, Johnny answered, Yeah, I think I will. I love Savannah so much but…but I don’t know if she’ll want to marry me now…in the shape I’m in…and I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Sitting on the side of the bed, Roy did his best to try to reassure his best friend.

“Johnny…listen to me…the day all this mess happened, Savannah left work early just to be here when you came outta surgery…she…well, she wanted to go into recovery to sit with ya…but the mood you were in, I wouldn’t let her.”

Slightly laughing, Johnny replied, “Thanks, it’s probably a good thing that you didn’t.”

“Yeah, she might’a killed ya. And like I said, over the last two weeks, she’s called the house just to see if Jo and me knew anything new about you, and of course, we told what we knew. I don’t think you have anything to worry about…just ask her…all she can do is say yes…or no…but you’ll never know till ya ask.”

“Yeah, but it’s the no that I’m worried about. But can you do me a favor?”

Shaking his head, she said, “Sure, what’cha need?”

Pushing himself up in the bed to get more comfortable, Johnny said, “Could you go get the ring for me? It’s at Ken’s Jewelry on 1758 East 46th Street, and just tell him that you’re there to pay for and pick up the engagement ring for John Gage. If you wanna run by my apartment and bring me my checkbook, I’ll just sign ya a blank check.”

“A blank check huh…you trust me that much…wonder how much fun me and Jo could have with a blank check?” Roy asked, smiling at his friend.

“Probably not too much…no, let me rephrases that…none at all. But Roy, if I can trust ya with my life everyday…which I do… then I think I can trust ya with a blank check. My checkbook is in the desk drawer in my bedroom. And also…would you and the guys be here…when I ask her?”

Roy was surprised by the question…he was sure that Johnny would want to ask her in private.

“Ah…sure, I guess we can all be here. But don’t you want to ask her without all of us around…I mean, what if she would say no?”

Johnny looked at his best friend, and said, “Gee partner…thanks for the vote’a confidence, I really appreciate it. No really, I’d like for all of you to be here…I’ll even call the rest of the guys.”

Agreeing, Roy replied, “All right then, I’ll go get all of this done for ya while you do that. What time do you want us to be here?”

“Good deal. Well, it’s 4:45 now…what about…6:00…that’s an hour and fifteen minutes… will that give ya enough time?”

“Sure, that’ll be fine with me, but you better call the rest of the guys now…ya know, just in case. See ya then.”

“Bye Roy…and thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

As Roy reached the door, he turned back to Johnny and spoke.

“Oh, remember when you said that you wanted the proposal to be somethin’ that she’d never forget?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t think she’ll forget this one anytime soon…bein’ proposed to from a guy in a hospital bed…I’d say that’ll be slightly different.”

“Yeah, you’re right…but you know, I was kinda aimin’ for somethin’ else.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll be back.”

Roy left and did as his best friend had asked, as Johnny reached for the phone to make the phone calls.

~~~~~~

At 6:00 p.m. sharp, the crew of 51 was gathered in Johnny’s room, waiting for Savannah to arrive, and everyone could tell how nervous Johnny was.

“Only fifteen more minutes till she gets here Gage.” Chet said, with a sneaky grin on his face.

Johnny only glared at his friend, while Hank looked as if he could ring Chet’s neck. Hank tried to calm his friend down.

“Kelly…knock it off, Johnny’s nervous enough. Hey pal, you really do need to calm down, everything’s gonna be alright.”

Rubbing his sweaty palms on the blanket, Johnny said, “Yeah…easy for you to say. Cap, when you asked Carrie to marry ya…were you this nervous…Roy, were you when you asked Joanne?”

Also trying to calm his friend down, Roy replied, “Johnny, come on partner, relax. Yeah, when I asked Jo, I was scared to death. But, I got through it and asked and as they say, the rest is history.”

“Carrie turned me down the first time I asked her…even the second time.”

The crew was surprised to hear that.

“She did…how come?”

“Well Marco…like it always…or usually is…she didn’t know if she could handle bein’ married to a firefighter…not knowin’ if there would be that one day that I didn’t come home. But she changed her mind.”

Mike spoke up and asked, “How’d you make her say yes Cap?”

Hank’s mind went back to the day that he had asked Carrie for a second time to marry him, again being turned down. When he suddenly remembered where he was, he took a deep breath before he answered his engineer’s question.

“Well, I just told her how much I loved her, and that I knew I had a dangerous job, but that I didn’t wanna live without her in my life…and that I would do everything in my power to come home safe and sound after my shifts.”

“And, that’s what worked…just sayin’ that?”

“Yeah Johnny, it did. I meant every word, and so far, I’ve been able to keep that promise to her.”

That made Johnny start to think…he knew that both he and Savannah had very dangerous jobs and that either one of them could be killed in the line of duty…but he also knew that they loved each other very much, and he wanted to take the chance at happiness and hoped that Savannah did to…he decided to keep what his Captain had told him in the back of his mind.

Being lost in thought, Johnny didn’t even realize that Savannah had come into the room or that his friends were talking to him.

“…Johnny…hey partner…Johnny, you got company.”

Coming out of his thoughts, Johnny said, “Huh…what?”

Smiling at Johnny, Savannah said, “Hey honey, you wanted me to get here at 6:15…here I am, and your ignoring me. What’s so important that I had to be here right at 6:15?”

The guys could see the nervous look on Johnny’s face…so could Savannah, and she became worried…especially with the rest of the men standing there.

“Johnny…what’s the matter?”

“Nothin’. Just sit here on the side of the bed a minute.”

As she sat down, Johnny took her hand, and the rest of his friends gathered around the bed.

“Savannah…you know that I love you with everything I have inside of me, and I’ve realized that I don’t want to live without you in my life. But I know that in the shape I’m in right now, you have every right to not want to stay involved with me…and I’ll understand if you don’t…it’ll hurt, but I’ll understand.”

Johnny pulled a small box out from in under the covers. The minute that the paramedic opened it up, he saw tears come into her eyes…he then asked her the question.

“But, what I’d like to know right now is…will you marry me?”

Without having to think about it and as the tears rolled down her face, she whispered, “Yes Johnny…I’ll marry you.”

Smiles, hugs and handshakes went all around the room.

Savannah turned to Hank, and said, “Hank…I guess Johnny has told you about…my Father …passing away about two years ago.”

“Yes honey, he did.”

Standing in front of the Captain, Savannah asked, “Will you do me the honor of giving me away?”

Hank was stunned and surprised that she would ask him…but very honored and proud that she had.

Taking her hand, Stanley replied, “Yes Savannah, I’d be honored to give you away.”

As she hugged Hank, she whispered, “Thank you…very much.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Turning to Johnny, Savannah said, “Well, I guess we have a wedding to plan.”

“Yeah babe, I guess we do.”

~~~~~~

The plans for the wedding went much smoother than the rest of Johnny’s physical therapy. There were days that it didn’t go very well, and Johnny began to get frustrated, disappointed and angry…and he started talking it out on his friends and Savannah.

When Johnny was released from Rampart, Roy and Joanne told him that he could come stay with them, until he got back on his feet. Even though Johnny had said that he didn’t want to be a bother to them, the DeSoto’s insisted, and Johnny reluctantly agreed.

Johnny had been out of the hospital for two weeks, and when Savannah left work that day, she decided to stop by and see Johnny. She had hoped that Joanne wouldn’t be there…it embarrassed her for Joanne to hear the two of them argue and fight. When she pulled into the driveway, she saw Jo’s car sitting there.

“Oh great, Jo’s home. I hope Johnny’s in a good mood…but I wouldn’t bet my life on it.” Savannah whispered to herself.

Savannah turned off the ignition and got out of the car. Walking inside, she soon found out that that was a bet she would have lost…she found Johnny sitting in his chair, looking out into the back yard. Coming up behind him, she placed her arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his cheek…she could feel the tenseness in his muscles.

“Hi honey. It’s such a beautiful day, why don’t we go out on the deck and sit in the sun.”

“I don’t want to…I’m fine right here.”

Savannah could hear the depression creeping into his voice again.

“How did therapy go?”

In a whisper that she almost couldn’t hear, Johnny answered and said, “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

But she did…and she decided to push him outside.

“Well, I’d like to go outside…and I want you to come with me.”

Grabbing the handles on the wheelchair, Savannah started to push Johnny forward, toward the patio doors…what he did shocked and scared her.

Violently jerking the wheelchair around, Johnny turned to face Savannah…the look of anger…and somewhat one of sadness…was something that she had never seen in Johnny’s brown eyes.

“Leave me alone…I don’t wanna go sit in the sun…it’s not gonna help what’s wrong with me…and I don’t wanna be here…everybody’s treatin’ me like I can’t do anything, but I can…I can take care of myself…in my own apartment!”

Trying to stay calm, Savannah said, “Johnny, Roy and Jo asked you to stay with them just till you get back on your feet…they care and worry about you honey, and they just want to help…we all worry about you.”

Johnny became even angrier, as he said, “I don’t want or need any help…I can take care of myself! Why can’t I make you or anybody else understand that…why does everybody always have to worry?”

Savannah saw tears rolling down Johnny’s face. As he took a couple of deep, shaky breaths and calmed down a little, he spoke again.

“I need to just…just end it and…”

The dark-haired paramedic suddenly stopped talking when he saw a letter opener lying on Roy’s desk. Quickly grabbing it, he held it so the pointed end was over his heart…Savannah saw it and panicked.

“Johnny no…please don’t!”

Slowly looking up, he saw the woman that he loved more than his own life, one of the people that had stayed by him through everything. His tears continued, as he spoke to her.

“I can’t take…this anymore, so why…why not do it…nothin’ I do…it never works out…and you…you don’t…you don’t deserve ta’…ta’ live like this…with a burden…you deserve better…”

Slowly walking over to him, Savannah knelt down in front of him. She knew that Joanne had heard everything…and that she always did…but at the moment, her only concern was for Johnny.

Slowly placing her hands on his knees, Savannah tried to keep her voice calm, in order to not get Johnny upset again.

“Nothing ever works out…and I don’t deserve it huh? Well, you wanting to be a paramedic worked out…and when you save somebody, which you do most of the time…that works out…and why don’t you let me worry about what I do or don’t deserve. Johnny, I’m here because I want to be…if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have stuck around. Sweetheart…listen to me…when you were shot, and Roy called me at the station to tell me…the second I heard his voice, and the panic in it, I thought that he was calling me to tell me that you had been killed. Can you even imagine how I…I felt when I knew it was Roy on the other end of the line…or how I was wracking my brain tryin’ to figure out, if you had died, how I would ever go on with my life, without the most important person in it? I don’t think…”

Johnny interrupted her, and said, “I’m not that important…Roy shoulda let me die.”

“No Johnny, he shouldn’t have, and you are important…to all of us. It doesn’t matter to me if you can walk or not…haven’t you figured that out yet…if that’s all I was worried about, I never woulda said yes when you asked me to marry you. I love you…not whether your legs can work or not…being with you is all that matters to me.”

Savannah saw Johnny’s hand begin to shake…she knew he wasn’t going to hurt himself, but he was still crying as he spoke.

“But it…it matters to me…you deserve to have…have a husband…that can…do things with ya and…and not…not a helpless cripple.”

Smiling, Savannah said, “Ya know, when Roy says that you’re hardheaded…he’s right, you are…but you are not a helpless cripple, so stop saying that. Now, give me that opener…right now.”

Savannah slowly reached up her hand and gently placed it on Johnny’s…keeping eye contact with him and softly talking to him, she carefully lowered his hand into his lap.

“I can’t live without you in my life Johnny…none of us can. I promise, everything is gonna be alright…I promise.”

Johnny took some shaky breaths, and as his tears flowed, Savannah took him in her arms…Johnny held on tight.

“I’m sorry…I don’t…please Savannah don’t…don’t leave me…don’t walk out…on me now…please, I can’t…can’t live…without you either.”

“Shhh Johnny…babe, I’m not goin’ anywhere…me and the rest of the guys are gonna be here for you. I just want you to promise me one little thing.”

Learning back in the chair and wiping his eyes, Johnny asked, “What’s…what that?”

“I want you to be a little more patient with your therapy, it’s just gonna take a little more time, but you’ll walk again. And…whenever you need to talk, about how you feel, how therapy’s goin’ or anything…I want you to come to me, Roy or any of the other guys… that’s what we’re all here for. Do we have a deal?”

Smiling and slightly laughing, Johnny asked, “Any of the guys…even Chet?”

“Yeah, even Chet. Believe it or not, he just might have some good advice for ya.”

“Yeah, advice from Chester B…that’s what worries me, what he’d say I mean.”

Savannah stood and gently sat down on Johnny’s lap…placing her arms around his shoulder.

“No need to worry my dear…I know Chet’s a very special friend to you…even though neither one of you would ever admit to it. I saw how worried he was while you were up in surgery and we were waiting to hear something.”

Johnny thought back to the things that Roy had told him after he had been bitten by the rattlesnake, hit by the car and caught that virus…that Chet had been at Rampart, worrying his head off. Johnny knew that he and Chet really did like and care about each other…he began to think that with the many times that he had come so close to dying, that maybe it was time to tell his friend how he really felt.
 

Nah…why spoil a good thing…I’ll just leave well enough alone

Coming out of his thoughts, Johnny said, “Ah yeah, Chet is a good guy…don’t know what I woulda done a couple a times without him. Okay, you’ve got a deal…I’ll open up more and talk about how I feel…just be patient with me…please. I love you Savannah…and I always will.”

“Same for me Johnny.”

Savannah and Johnny sat there, holding each other…neither one had any idea that Joanne had been standing, watching and listening the entire time. Quietly letting the door close, she walked over to the phone in the kitchen, and picking up the receiver, she called the station.

Getting Roy on the phone, she said, “Honey…I think everything’s gonna be alright now.”

~~~~~~

With the plans made, the big day had finally come and it turned out to be a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. Johnny, Savannah and their attendants were at the church and ready. As everyone was arriving, Cap and the rest of the guys were upstairs and seating the guests, while Roy and Johnny were alone in the downstairs room. While they were talking with each other, Johnny decided to tell Roy the other good news that he had.

Looking at his watch, Roy said, “Well partner…this is it…there’s still time…well, a little time…to back out ya know. You about ready, or do ya wanna run while you still can?”

Turning his wheelchair around to face his friend, Johnny smiled and said, “No way partner, I’m not about to back out now…I love Savannah too much. But ah…well, I guess since we’re alone, I need to tell ya somethin’ Pally.”

Becoming worried, Roy took a seat in the chair across from his best friend, as he asked, “What is it Junior…is there something wrong?”

“Oh no…no there isn’t anything wrong. It’s just…well, it’s good news that I’ve got to tell ya.”

“Well, I always like to hear good news, so I’m all ears. What’s up?”

Rolling backwards a little to give himself some room, Johnny locked the wheels on the wheelchair. With his legs still being a bit weak, he used his hands as he lifted his left leg up and moved the footrest out of the way, then he did the same on the right. Roy slowly stood, wondering what his friend was doing.

“Johnny…what’s goin’ on…what are you doin’ partner?”

When Johnny put his right foot on the floor, he looked up at Roy and said, “Hang on partner, you’ll see. Brackett and Carlos, the therapist, are the only two that know about this…I swore Brackett to secrecy, and I knew I didn’t have to worry about Carlos talkin’ to any of ya…so I knew my secret would be safe.”

“What secret…are you…can…?”

Taking a deep breath, Johnny placed his hands on the armrests and slowly pushed himself up into a standing position. As he started to wobble a bit, Roy reached out his hands to steady his friend, but Johnny stopped him.

“No, it’s okay, I’m alright. I’ve been practicin’ this for a dew days cause I wanted to surprise everybody.”

As Johnny steadied himself and stood without holding on to anything, he asked, “Well…did I surprise ya Pally?”

Still not believing what he was seeing, Roy said, “Ah…yeah Junior…you…you did surprise me…but this is great partner. When did this happen?”

“About a week ago. I wanted to stand by my bride on my wedding day, not sit in a wheelchair.”

Roy was still in shock, as he asked, “So…I take it you’re gonna walk down the aisle?”

“You bet I am partner…I’ve worked my butt off to get back on my feet, I ain’t gonna miss out. I can’t wait to see the look on Savannah’s face when she sees me standin’ up.”

Roy hugged his best friend and partner. Pulling back, he then spoke to Johnny.

“Oh, she’ll be happy…not to mention Cap, the rest of the guys and everyone else in the church. And so am I Johnny, I’m proud of you…but are you gonna be strong enough to stand that long?”

“Oh yeah. Remember I just said I’d been practicin’…that’s how…standin’ as long as I could each time and just slowly workin’ up to today.”

“Man, I still can’t believe this. But now, you gotta get back to work…please.”

Smiling at his friend, Johnny said, “Brice drivin’ ya up a wall huh…don’t worry, I’m going to. Ya know, maybe I ought to tell Cap and have him just to tell Savannah that I have a big surprise for her.”

“Well, she’s gonna be happy and I think it will be a big surprise for her…Cap might be holding her up after they come in and she sees ya. Let me sneak upstairs and see if I can borrow him for a second. You gonna be okay?”

Johnny slowly sat back down in the chair and said, “Yeah, I’m okay, I’ll just sit here and wait on ya. Don’t tell Cap what you need…I wanna surprise him to.”

Roy shook his head and walked upstairs, and he saw that the church was filled to capacity with friends and family. Looking around he didn’t see his Captain, but seeing Mike, he quietly asked the engineer where their boss was.

“Mike…hey Mike…where’s Cap?”

“He’s already gone downstairs to see if Savannah’s ready. How’s Johnny holdin’ up?”

Smiling, remembering the surprise, Roy answered, “Oh, Johnny’s fine…just fine. Okay, I’ll go see if I can talk to him for a few minutes.”

Meanwhile, back downstairs in the bride’s room, Joanne and the rest of the attendants were helping Savannah with the final touches. They suddenly heard a knock at the door.

“Come in.” the nervous bride said.

Hank walked through the door and saw the beautiful bride.

Savannah was wearing a gown of traditional white satin with a sweetheart neckline and fitted sleeves. The bodice was detailed with re-embroidered alencon and pearls, iridescent sequins with an open back accented with a bow. The sheath skirt detailed with a window pane and pearl and sequin boarder that extended to a cathedral train. Her headpiece was a fingertip illusion attached to a tiara of seed pearls and sequins. She carried a cascading bouquet of lavender and white flowers, accented with baby’s breath.

“Well Hank, what do you think?”

“Savannah, you’re beautiful…Johnny is a very lucky man. Well, I know he’s probably waitin’, so, you ready for this?”

Taking a deep breath and picking up her bouquet of flowers, she said, “Thanks. Yeah, let’s do it, I don’t want to keep him waiting. I’m ready.”

Just as Savannah was about to take Hank’s hand, there was another knock on the door… Joanne answered it.

“Roy…what are you doing here?”

Kissing his wife and smiling, Roy said, “Gee, that’s a nice way to be greeted by your wife…nice to see you too sweetheart. I need Cap for a minute.”

Roy saw the look of panic that came on the lady’s faces and wanted them to know that everything was alright.

“And don’t worry, before you even ask, nothing’s wrong, Johnny’s fine and he’s ready and waiting. I’ll let Cap come back in a few minutes…I promise.”

As he and Cap were about to step out into the hall, Roy turned back to Savannah, and said, “Oh Savannah…you look great honey.”

Roy and Cap then stepped out into the hall and closed the door.

“Roy, what’s the matter?”

“Nothin’, honest. Johnny…well, he has somethin’ to tell you…well, actually somethin’ to show ya really.”

Roy and Cap went into the room where Johnny was waiting. When he heard his friends coming, Johnny slowly got to his feet and carefully stepped away from the wheelchair. What Hank Stanley saw when he walked into the room, stunned him.

“Hey John, what’s goin’ on pal, Savannah’s ready to…Johnny…you’re…you’re standin’ up.”

“Ah, yeah Cap, I am.”

After the shock wore off, Johnny told his Captain his plan and Hank promised that he wouldn’t tell anyone.

“Cap, don’t tell Mom and Dad, or even the rest of the guys, but especially don’t tell Savannah. Just tell her that…well, that I have a surprise for her.”

“Okay John…I won’t tell anybody. I’m happy for ya Johnny, I’m so glad that you can walk again.”

“Thanks Cap…me too.”

Hank went back to Savannah and was meet by Mike, Marco, Chet and Joey, Savannah’s brother, while Roy and Johnny headed upstairs. As the two paramedics walked out and took their places at the front of the church, both men saw all the surprised looks on the faces of the gathered crowd…including John and Sara Gage, Johnny’s parents, and Crystal Peterson, Savannah’s mother.

Roy kept a very close eye on his best friend, in case Johnny became too tired.

The music started and the doors opened. First down the aisle was Jennifer and Chris, Jenn was the flower girl and Chris was the ring bearer. Next through the doors were Mike, escorting Jessica Allen, Marco, escorting Vickie Cox, Chet, escorting Lisa Peters and Joey escorting Kaitlyn Martin. Since Hank was escorting the bride, Julia Smith came in alone, followed by the maid of honor, Joanne.

The attendants were dressed in light lavender strapless, floor length gowns, with waist length long sleeve jackets…Joanne’s gown matched the other attendants but was a darker lavender. They each carried a smaller bouquet, matching that of the bride. All the men were dressed in black tuxes.

Needless to say, all of them were shocked to see Johnny standing.

The doors closed and after a moment, the wedding march started and everyone stood. Before the doors reopened, Hank softly spoke to Savannah.

“Honey, before we go in, I want to let you know that Johnny is going to have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise…what is it?”

“No, that’s all he said to tell you, just a surprise…you’ll see it in a few minutes. You ready?”

Savannah was even more excited and shook her head yes, as she said, “Yeah, I’m ready. Hank…thank you for giving me away and accepting me into this close family…I love Johnny so much…and I hope all of you know, that I would never do anything to hurt him.”

Lightly squeezing her hand, Hank replied, “We know that…and Johnny loves you very much…and you’re very welcome. Now, let’s go and get the two of you married before somebody changes their mind.”

“Well, it’s not gonna be me.”

As the doors reopened and they stepped through, Savannah suddenly stopped…seeing Johnny, standing, waiting on her, with a big smile on his face.

“Johnny.” she softly whispered, trying to control her tears.

Savannah looked at Hank and he shook his head, as the two finally made their way to the front of the church and stood before the Minister.

With everyone in their places, the Minister asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Hank Stanley replied, “Her Father in spirit and her Mother…along with myself and all of her friends gathered here today.”

Hank pulled her veil from over her face and softly placed a kiss on her cheek. After shaking Johnny’s hand, he then placed Savannah’s hand in Johnny’s.

“Be happy, my friends.”

“Thanks Cap.”

Hank took his place with the rest of the men, as Johnny and Savannah turned to face each other and held hands. But before the Minister could say anything, Johnny spoke up.

“Ah, Minister Presley, can I say something first?”

Everyone was surprised and a little nervous…they thought that the dark-haired paramedic was about to back out. Johnny saw the look on Savannah’s face to.

“Well…of course Johnny…go ahead.”

Turning slightly to his partner, Johnny whispered, “Help me.”

“Johnny…what are you…?”

Roy suddenly realized what his friend wanted to do, so with his help, Johnny slowly and carefully got down on one knee. Roy stayed ready to catch him and as Johnny continued to hold on to Savannah’s hands, he spoke.

“Ah, I know I’ve already done this…although not the way I wanted to…and when I told Roy that I wanted the proposal to be somethin’ special and somethin’ you wouldn’t forget, I really didn’t count on it bein’ from a hospital bed. So, now that I can do it the right way… Savannah…will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Trying to control her tears, Savannah answered Johnny, and said, “Johnny…it never mattered to me how you asked…anyway that you could have come up with would have been right…I didn’t care if it was on one knee or in a hospital bed…just as long as you did it…yes Johnny, I’ll marry you. I’m all dressed up, and here is the only place I could go lookin’ like this…I’m more than ready to become your wife.”

“Alright.”

Johnny continued to hold Savannah’s hands, and with Roy helping him to his feet, Johnny stood.

Seeing his partner almost lose his balance, and steadying him, Roy quietly asked, “Johnny… you okay?”

“Yeah…yeah, I’m fine. Let’s get this show on the road…go ahead.”

Roy could hear in his friend’s voice that he was already becoming tired, but Johnny motioned for the Minister to continue.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, before God, family and friends, to join Johnny and Savannah together in holy matrimony. Because God himself is its author, marriage is of its very nature a holy institution, requiring of those who enter into it a complete and unreserved giving of self. It was created for a man and woman to live in happiness and to multiply, therefore, it is not something to be entered into lightly, but soberly, prayerfully and respectfully. If there is anyone here today who can show any just reason why these two should not be lawfully joined together, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.”

Johnny and his shiftmates all looked at Chet.

“What…I didn’t say anything.”

“Keep it that way Chester B.” Johnny said, as he smiled at his friend.

The Minister went on and said, “I’ll take that as a no. Johnny, do you take Savannah to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“Savannah, do you take Johnny to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

“Johnny and Savannah have something they want to say to one another, along with having written their own vows. Johnny, the floor is yours.”

Johnny took a deep breath before he started.

“The guys have always kidded me about the women that I’ve dated over the years, and how I was never able to commit myself to anybody. I guess the reason for that…is because of the job I do…I’ve seen it…we’ve all seen it…happen so many times, a fellow firefighter who is a husband and a father, being killed in the line of duty…and that was something that I never wanted to put anybody through. But Savannah, you’ve changed that…you’ve made me want to take the risk…to give my heart fully to someone…and that someone…is you. And although there will always be a risk, all I can do is to promise you, that with the help of my best friend and partner, that we will watch each other’s backs, and I will do my best to come home to you after every shift, safe, and alive, because I never want you to be sad or alone.”

Johnny took a second to look around at his Captain…Hank gave his paramedic a small thumbs up. Johnny knew, just like his friend had done for the past 13 years of his marriage, that he would also do everything that he could to keep his promise to the lady he loved so much.

Turning back to face the woman he loved, Johnny said, “I love you Savannah, and I give to you this day, my life, my heart, my love and my soul. I promise to stay by your side, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…and to love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life, and keep myself only to you, until God shall see fit to separate us by death.”

Johnny turned to Roy and he handed his partner the ring, then Johnny continued.

“I ask that you accept this ring, a never ending circle, as my token of the love that I have for you, not only today, but for the rest of my life. Will you accept it?”

“I will.”

He placed the ring on Savannah’s third finger of her left hand…then it was her turn.

“Johnny, after we started dating, I wondered how our relationship would ever last, since you act like an overgrown kid sometimes…and I don’t mean that bad because I realize…that was what drew me to you in the first place…I never thought that I would meet anyone like you. But besides that, you’re warm, kind, caring and considerate and you give of yourself…and you make me so very happy when I’m around you. My life has been so much better since you came into it…and I never want to lose you. I know you have a dangerous job…the same as I do…and I make the same promise to you, that I will do everything in my power to come home safe and sound, after my shift. I love you Johnny, and I give to you this day, my life, my heart, my love and my soul. I promise to stay by your side, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…and to love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life, and keep myself only to you, until God shall see fit to separate us by death.”

Joanne handed her friend the ring, then Savannah continued.

“I ask that you accept this ring, a never ending circle, as my token of the love that I have for you, not only today, but for the rest of my life. Will you accept it?”

“I will.”

She slipped the ring on Johnny’s third finger of his left hand.

Johnny looked at his left hand and said, “I can’t believe it…I’m really married.”

The Minister leaned over to him and said, “Don’t get in a hurry Johnny, I know you’re in a rush to get to the honeymoon…but we’re not quite finished yet.”

Johnny looked at the Minister with a surprised look on his face, not believing that the Minister would say that, but there was also a bit of embarrassment along with it.

Finally being able to speak, Johnny said, “Oh…sorry.”

With everyone trying to control their laughter, Minister Presley said, “ Now, the two of you join hands and face me.”

After doing so, the Minister went on and said, “Johnny and Savannah, with your willingness to come before God and these witnesses to pledge your love one to another, with the exchanging of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, it is my great pleasure and privilege, being a Minister of the state of California, to now pronounce that you are husband and wife. What God hath seen fit to join together, let no man put asunder. Johnny…for the moment that I know you have been waiting for…you may now kiss your bride.”

“Good deal. Come here, Mrs. Gage.”

And as he pulled his bride into his arms, Johnny did exactly as the Minister told him to do, kiss his bride…only problem was, he was so caught up in the moment, that both he and Savannah forgot where they were…but Chet decided that he would take care of that…or so he thought.

“Hey Gage…”

No response.

“Ah…Johnny…”

Still, no response.

“Psssst, hey Gage…don’tcha need to come up for air?”

Each time, Chet got a little louder…and so did the laughter, but it took Roy to break them up. Tapping his best friend on the shoulder, Johnny finally broke the kiss and looked at his best friend.

“Huh…what?”

“Remember us Junior…and where you are?”

Realizing where he was and being a bit embarrassed, again, Johnny said, “Oh…sorry ‘bout that…I kinda got carried away there. Ah…go ahead.”

Minister Presley only smiled, as he said, “Yes Johnny, we noticed…perfectly understandable my son. The two of you turn and face the audience…ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to introduce to you, for the first time in public as husband and wife, Mr. & Mrs. John Roderick Gage.”

The bride and the groom made their way back down the aisle to applause from their guests. As soon as the bridal party was in the front of the church, the guests come out to give their congratulations to the happy couple. Everyone then made their way to the fellowship hall of the church for the reception.

Walking towards the reception hall, hand in hand, a voice announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Johnny and Savannah Gage.”

The couple entered the reception hall with even more applause from their friends. After the traditional cutting of the cake and the first dance by the couple, they all gathered for a sit down dinner.

After a while, Johnny stood and gently tapped his glass with a fork to quiet the room down. As the room became quiet, Johnny spoke.

“Ah…first off, Savannah and I would like to thank everyone for coming today and sharing this day with us...it’s really meant a lot to both of us. And, I know that this day’s supposed to be about us but…well, I’d like to make it…about a few other people as well.”

Looking at his shiftmates who sat at the long table with him and Savannah, Johnny realized that he was going to have a hard time controlling his emotions. Taking a moment to compose himself, he then went on.

Wiping his eyes, he said, “Ah, sorry…I promised myself…that I wouldn’t do this…but…as you can see…I am. Ah, there are a few people here…these guys that are up here with me…that have been a…a very important part of my life, and I’d…I’d like to take a little time to…to let them know it.”

First, he spoke of his best friend and partner, Roy.

“Nine years ago, I was working at Station 10 as a rescue man…we had come back from a structure fire and my Chief wanted me to consider going into the paramedics. Even though I wasn’t the least bit interested in doin’ it, I gave in and I remember goin’ and walkin’ into Roy’s office, on the last day to sign up I might add, to ask about joining the program…and lookin’ for any reason that I could find to get out of it.”

Both paramedics remembered that day as if it happened yesterday. Johnny then went on.

“Now, Roy probably doesn’t know this, but when I first met him, I thought that…well, he was a nice enough guy…he was so enthused and passionate over the program and he really wanted the bill to pass, so he could make a difference, but I have to tell ya, I wasn’t really sharing his enthusiasm for it…I thought, why go and get all that trainin’, and not bein’ able to use it…and then have the bill not pass, and still not be able to use it…but he finally convinced me and I signed on the dotted line.”

“And it wasn’t easy either…it was like pullin’ teeth.” Roy replied.

“Yeah, you’re right, it wasn’t. But anyway, besides all that, I really didn’t know…if we could be friends…don’t really know why, but I didn’t …until after I started the training, then I knew that we would be…somethin’ between the two of us…just clicked…and it’s been that way now for over nine years, almost ten…and anybody that can put up with me for ten years, that’s doin’ good. But to me…he didn’t become just my partner…or the guy that I’ve trusted with my life everyday…but he became my dearest …closest…and most dependable…best friend.”

As his emotions surfaced, Johnny’s voice got softer and Roy shifted uncomfortably in his chair and couldn’t look in his best friend’s direction. When Roy finally made eye contact with his friend, Johnny raised his glass to his partner, and went on.

“Thanks Pally…for always bein’ there…and for bein’ my best friend.”

Returning the gesture, Roy softly replied, “Anytime Junior.”

Taking a sip from his glass and returning it to the table, Johnny took a deep breath, and said, “And as for the rest of the guys…well, they’re just the guys.”

There was laughter by the comment, and when it died down, Johnny continued.

“No, actually, these four men have also become a huge part of my life as well. They’ve really taught me a lot…even Chet…and they’ve saved my butt many times, just as Roy has and they’ve been there for me, the same as Roy, through everything I’ve ever gone through on the job…good and bad…and I’m very grateful…and thankful…not only to have ‘em around when I need ‘em…but to also be able to call them… my friends. Roy and the guys always call me a disaster magnet…”

Chet interrupted Johnny, as he said, “And he really is one.”

“Hey Chet?”

“Yeah Johnny?” Chet asked…knowing what was coming.

“Shut up!” the remaining crewmembers said in unison.

Johnny saw Savannah give him a dirty look…he only smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders.

Talking softly, he said, “What…the rest of the guys said it to.”

As the laughter died down, Johnny continued.

“Ah, believe it or not, that wasn’t planned…it’s usually just me tellin’ him that but don’t worry, Chet’s used to it.”

“After nine years, I should be.” Chet replied, as he grinned at Johnny.

“Anyway, they call me that, and Chet is the one who started it, mainly because I’ve gotten hurt so much on the job. The first two weeks after I was shot…I had convinced myself that the paralysis was going to be permanent and I really became a pain in the butt…I was angry and depressed and I was about to give up…on everything. One day the wife of the man that shot me, came to see me…she convinced me to have the second surgery to remove the bullet. After I started therapy, it was hard and I was going to quit on that to.”

Johnny momentarily stopped, he felt as if he were going to cry again, as he remembered all of the help and support that he had received from his friends. Finally, he went on.

“But Roy and the guys…my friends from Rampart…and this special lady sitting here beside me, that has made my life worth living…and who stood by me everytime I acted like a total jerk…got me through that and…I’m here today because…of all of these very special people. Please join with me and raise your glasses in a toast.”

As Johnny raised his glass, all of the guests did the same.

“To my lovely wife Savannah, Roy and the guys, Dixie and the Docs…thank you…all of you…for being there for me…when I needed you the most and even when I tried to push you away…and for never giving up on me…or letting me give up on myself…when I very easily could have...and almost did. You’re the best friends that a guy could have or ever hope to have. And Mom and Dad…I love you both very much.”

Johnny leaned over and softly kissed his wife’s cheek and said, “I love you, Mrs. Gage.”

Savannah smiled back at her husband.

Standing, she also got everyone’s attention, as she said, “Hey wait a minute…I have something to say to. Johnny, you’ve had your turn, now sit down.”

Johnny took a seat without saying a word…that only gave Chet more ammunition to use against his pigeon…and he didn’t let it slip by him.

“Man Gage, she has you trained already…looks like you’re a fast learner too.”

“Ah, Chet…”

Again, knowing what was coming, Chet beat him to the punch.

“Yeah Johnny, I know…shut up.”

Looking at both Johnny and Chet, Hank spoke up and said, “Both of you twits hush up.”

“Sorry Cap.” both men answered in unison, as they smiled.

Then Hank continued.

“Now, let the lady speak. Savannah…the floor is yours.”

“Thank you Hank. When I first met Johnny, I had pulled him over for speeding…he told me that he was late for work. When I walked up to the car, I immediately thought that he was very good looking…”

Johnny lowered his head as he blushed. Savannah went on.

“It embarrasses him when I say that…but hey…it’s true. But, even though I thought he was good looking, and I was impressed to find out that he was a Firefighter/Paramedic, what really made me fall for this man…was his crooked smile…although when he found out how much the ticket was, I doubt that he was smiling too much.”

There was laughter as Savannah paused and her mind went back to everything that they all had been through after Johnny got hurt.

Johnny gently took and squeezed her hand, as he asked, “Honey, you alright?”

Shaking her head, she replied, “Yeah, I’m fine sweetheart, don’t worry.”

She held on tight to Johnny’s hand, as she continued.

“After he was hurt…none of us saw that beautiful smile for quite a while, and he did get to be a royal pain in the butt…and very depressed…and I really thought that I…that we…were gonna lose him…and none of us could have lived with that. But he fought back…and in more ways than one because, I was shocked…and very happy and proud of him…to see him standing there, waiting for me, as I started down the aisle. But I’m even more proud…and honored…that he asked me to be his wife. I love you to Mr. Gage…and I always will.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room and as the bride and groom hugged and kissed each, a round of applause broke out in the room.

As Johnny finally got everyone quiet, he fought with his emotions, as he said, “Well…this is supposed to be a celebration…not a funeral…so again, thank you all for comin’…and let’s get to celebratin’.”

The reception went on for hours, but as it finally came to an end, Johnny, Savannah and their friends made their way to the parking lot for the couples departure. Johnny was surprised at what he saw.

Everyone knew how the dark-haired paramedic felt about his Land Rover…it was his pride and joy…his baby…but before him sat his Rover, completely covered in shaving cream and toilet paper with a “Just Married” sign on the back. Johnny knew that this was a wedding tradition so he wasn’t really upset, but knowing full well whose idea it had to be to do this, he decided to have a little fun…at the “Phantom’s” expense.

“CHESTER B. KELLY!”

“Johnny…honey calm down…it’ll wash off.” Savannah whispered, as she held on to Johnny’s arm.

Johnny looked at her and smiled, as he softly replied, “I know…just watch this, it’s time for a little revenge on the phantom.”

“Johnny don’t…not here.”

Ignoring Savannah, Johnny started making his way towards Chet.

Oh no, the phantom and the pigeon are gonna get into it…here…at *my* wedding… Johnny, I’m gonna kill you if you do

Marco and Mike were standing on either side of Chet and hearing their friend yell caused them to take a few steps back from the doomed firefighter.

“Oh, your dead meat amigo. We told you messing with the Rover was a bad idea…even though it’s done all the time at weddings, but we told you.”

“Yeah, so don’t come runnin’ to us when Johnny stomps ya into the ground for messin’ with it.”

Seeing Johnny coming towards him, Chet looked at his two friends, as he quickly became nervous.

Whispering to his friends, he said, “Yeah but, you guys all helped…it just wasn’t me. Hey, you can’t leave me alone with Johnny, he’s gonna kill me.”

“You deserve it. You’ll learn one day Chet…probably the hard way, but maybe you’ll learn.” Mike said.

Cap and Roy stood with their wives, waiting to see if they would have to step in.

“Chet.”

Stuttering, Chet said, “What…I didn’t…I didn’t do anything…the rest of…of the guys…they helped Johnny…honest…they did…even Cap…you wouldn’t yell at Cap would’cha…it just wasn’t me…please don’t kill me…”

Walking up to his friend, Johnny put his arm around Kelly’s neck and spoke in a voice that made Chet very nervous.

In a calm voice, he said, “Oh, is that so…you’re gonna drag the rest of the guys in on it huh? Now Chet…you know how I feel about my truck…I mean, it’s my baby…and you also know how I can really go off on somebody when they mess with it…don’t’cha.”

“Ah…yeah…yeah, I do…just let me live…I didn’t…I mean it’s a…please…don’t get upset...it’s your wedding day, you’re not supposed to get upset on your wedding day…please.” Chet nervously answered.

Trying to keep a straight face, Johnny went on and said, “I know what today is…and don’t get upset…Chester B., I’m way past bein’ upset. And since you and the rest of the guys were in on it, know what’s gonna happen?”

Thinking that his partner was really mad, Roy said, “I better get over there before for Chet gets hurt.”

“Oh Roy, Johnny wouldn’t hurt Chet…not over this…would he?”

“You remember what I told you when me and Johnny went up to Santa Rosa County…when we helped those injured people and how many times he asked the sheriff about his car…when it comes to that Rover…you had better believe it Joanne.”

Roy walked up beside the two men as Chet answered, and said, “N…no…what’s gonna happen?”

“When me and Savannah gets back, you and the guys…are gonna come to my place and wash my truck till it shines…then…me and Savannah’ll treat you all to a cookout. Got it?”

A round of laughter came from the crowd as a smile came to Johnny face and look a relief came to Chet’s.

“Gage…why you…”

“Ya know Chet, you call me gullible…but the look on your face…man, it was priceless. Too bad I didn’t have a camera.”

“I did…we’ll enlarge it and hang it in the station.” shouted Joanne.

Everyone laughed, as Chet said, “Oh Joanne, no, don’t do that. Just remember Gage…the phantom never forgets.”

“Oh whatever pal…I’m so scared.”

Roy let out as sigh of relief, as he said, “Junior, you’re unbelievable.”

Johnny just shrugged his shoulders, as he smiled and said, “Hey Pally, I gotta have a little bit of fun…beside, I consider this pay back for all the water bombs and other pranks that I’ve put up with over the years. He’s lucky that I just scared the daylights outta ‘im…it coulda been a heck of a lot worse ya know.”

“Yeah, I realize that…think Chet does to…now.”

As everyone said their good-byes and best wishes to the bride and groom, they got ready to leave. After helping Savannah into the passenger’s side of the Rover, Johnny walked back to the driver’s side…and was met by his best friend.

“Johnny, be careful and you guys have a great time. I’m happy for ya Junior.”

“Thanks Roy, and…and all the things I said in there…I meant every word. Thanks for bein’ a part of this Pally…and for bein’ my best friend, I don’t know what I’d do without ya…I’ll never forget it.”

“Well…let’s not find out any time soon. But you’re very welcome.”

The two paramedics hugged each other, then Roy opened the door for Johnny to get in. Closing the door, Roy patted Johnny on the shoulder, and the couple drove away as their friends stood, waving good-bye.


 

THE END

 




       *Click above to send Sherry feedback



Guest Dispatchers      Stories by Sherry P.