Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Emergency. I'm just having a bit of fun.

Johnny Gage stood staring down at his partner, Roy DeSoto, as he held an IV aloft. The look on his face was one of abject consternation. He shifted on his feet, clearing his throat.

“Uhh, Roy...I'm sorry...” mumbled Johnny.

“For what?” DeSoto rasped.

“You know, for all this...” Gage swept his free hand in a wide arc.

“S'not your fault.”

“Sure it is! I mean, if I hadn't tripped…if I hadn’t tripped… you wouldn't have fallen over me and ended up on your way to Rampart with a fractured rib and a dislocated knee.” Johnny swallowed hard as guilt hounded him.

Roy blinked up at his partner. “Tell me something…” he paused and licked his lips. “You—you didn't trip on purpose, right?”

“Of course not! I tripped on that stupid rock.”

“See, then it's not your fault. It was an accident. Besides—did you ever stop to consider I might have been following too close behind you?”

“Nah. I should've been more careful...”

“Johnny...”

“…paid more attention...watched where I was going...”

“Johnny…”

“…I’ve always been a little clumsy…just ask Chet…”

“JOHNNY...” Roy grimaced as his injured rib protested.

Gage broke off mid-guilt trip. He bit his lip.

“I forgive you, okay?” DeSoto lifted his head. “If it makes you feel better, I forgive you.”

“So you DO think I'm at fault. I knew it!”

“That's not what I...” Roy dropped his head back on the ground and sighed. “Never mind.”

Gage absently handed over the IV bag to the paramedic who’d been treating Roy. “Look, I'll help out while you're recovering. Anything you need, I'm there. Anything Joanne needs...I'll be there! Same for the kids.”

“You're heading into unknown territory there, partner.”

“I can handle it; I want to help. I can take ‘em to school. Or the playground! I can grocery shop for Joanne.”

“We'll be fine, Johnny. Trust me, we'll be fine.”

“Still, the offer's open. I’ll cancel all my plans.”

“I'll keep that in mind,” assured Roy as the ambulance attendants started rolling the gurney toward the waiting ambulance. They were lifting him in when he called out, “Hey, you comin'?”

“Huh?”

“You comin’ or what?”

“Uh...do you want me to come?”

“Might as well. Keep me company on the ride. Besides somebody has to look at those scraped up hands and knees.”

A grin broke across John Gage's face as he hurried toward the ambulance.

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September Picture 2016            Stories by Vanessa