Part 4

Ironically enough, John Gage had found himself wondering where the hell he was numerous times since leaving Roy’s side. 

Given his physical condition and weariness, the paramedic had thought he’d drop into an exhausted sleep as soon as he’d finished eating on Saturday night.  That’s not what happened, though.  After bedding down in long grass parched by the dry summer that felt more like brittle straw than anything else, Johnny had immediately dozed off.  But those first minutes of sleep didn’t last long, and he kept waking up throughout the night. 

Sometimes it was pain that caused Johnny to gasp, open his eyes, and shoot to a sitting position each time he shifted in his sleep and put weight on his injured shoulder.  Other times it was simply the part of his brain that told Johnny to remain alert that brought the paramedic out of sleep.  It was eerily quiet, the night absence of the sounds Johnny was used to hearing when he camped – the hoot of an owl, the howl of a coyote, or rodents scurrying beneath the undergrowth.  The fire had driven the animals away, or killed them.  Either was a possibility.  Despite that, any noise was worth listening for, in the event it was the sound of a helicopter flying overhead, or a fire engine rumbling down the dirt road Johnny was camped ten yards away from.  He kept the flashlight beside his right hand, ready to flick it on to use as a signal beacon if someone was nearby. 

Johnny never got the opportunity to signal anyone that night, however. Although worries and concerns for Roy and Hector kept bringing him awake, John never heard anything that indicated help was close at hand.

As often happens after a restless night, it was as the sun was rising on another day made hazy by a smoke-filled sky that Johnny fell into a heavy slumber.   If his pain hadn’t been intensifying with each passing hour, the paramedic might have slept the morning away.  According to Johnny’s watch, it was a few minutes before ten when he woke up to a headache so fierce it felt like his skull was being crushed between a lion’s incisors.

Johnny wasn’t sure what he wanted to do more – vomit, or relieve his bladder.  He struggled to his feet and stumbled behind a clump of scorched bushes, though why, he had no idea considering he was alone.  Nonetheless, a sense of propriety prevailed.  Heck, he wasn’t going to be found while taking a leak. At least if he was concealed by the bushes when a fire engine came down the road, he could quickly zip up and step out where he could be seen.

Propriety didn’t make much difference on this morning.  No rescuers magically arrived while the paramedic went about his business.  He squinted against the throbbing in his temples as he trudged back to his meager campsite.  The urge to throw up was still with him, but he thought if he drank some water and ate a sandwich, it would pass.  It wasn’t the kind of nausea that came from an upset stomach, but the kind that came with an empty stomach that was combined with a headache.

Johnny grimaced as he eased himself to the ground.  Even that slight movement increased the pain in his dislocated joint.  His eyes hurt worse this morning too. They were dry, they itched, and it felt like he now had a year’s worth of dirt embedded in them 

The man unscrewed the lid on his canteen and took several swallows.  He recapped the container, sat it next to him, and unzipped the backpack. He removed the bag of food and took out a sandwich.  Rather than wolfing the sandwich down like he might have at any other time, Johnny slowly nibbled at the warm peanut butter and oozing grape jelly.  The bread was starting to go stale, but at this point food was food.

When the sandwich was gone, Johnny got the First Aid kit out and located the bottle of Bufferin. He shook three into his hand, recapped the bottle and put it away, then reached for his canteen.  He washed the aspirin down with two swigs of water, then took another swig in an attempt to get the remaining peanut butter off the roof of his mouth.  He would have liked to drink more and then irrigate his eyes, but just as he’d cautioned Hector to ration his water supply, Johnny knew he had to ration his own.  To a degree, the paramedic thought it was fairly improbable that he wouldn’t run across another fireman soon, but on the other hand, he’d heard of people walking in circles in the wilderness for days, and knew that wasn’t an unrealistic possibility for himself.  Staying in one place until someone found you was always a wise idea…unless, of course, you were trying to get help for your injured partner, and then another man you’d run across in the process of getting that help.

Johnny still had the bandana wrapped around his head, but had the portion he’d been using to cover his eyes tucked under the rolled cloth on his forehead.  He scanned the area as he tried to decide which direction to take when he set off.  He’d given up on the idea of searching further for Captain Spencer and Bobby.  The facts Hector had given him surrounding them were too vague for Johnny to determine if the two men might be injured somewhere, might be dead, or might have gotten out on their own. If they’d reached safety, then Johnny would be wasting precious time looking for them.  And if they were dead, the same held true.

Might as well just follow the road.  It’s only a forest service road, so it might not take me far, but that’s better than wandering around out here for another day. 

Knowing it was now Sunday, Johnny hoped someone had found Roy.  He didn’t want to contemplate the alternative.  If Roy hadn’t been located yet…well, the likelihood that he was still living was small.  Johnny himself would be near death if he were still trapped under that tree.  And then if he hadn’t found the burned-out engine yesterday with the food and water supply, there was little doubt that by now he’d be in bad shape.  A man can only hike so far without the things you need to sustain life. An injured man’s chances of traveling far without those necessities were even less.

Johnny returned the bag of food and the First Aid kit to the backpack, then put the flashlight in the pack as well.  He zipped the pack closed, grabbed a strap, grabbed the canteen, and stood.  He felt a little better now that he’d eaten and taken the aspirin, but his legs ached from over exertion, and he wondered how far and how fast he’d be able to travel today.

The paramedic settled the backpack over his right shoulder and put the strap of the canteen around his neck.  It was going to be hot and dry again.  Johnny looked down at his t-shirt and pants.  They were covered with dust and dirt, and the small round dark spots were probably blood from the cuts on his face.  He could just imagine what he looked like.  His face and hair were probably as dust streaked as his bare arms and clothing.  Though he’d washed the cuts on his face the previous afternoon, Johnny had a feeling that his travels had caused the dirt to settle back in.

Johnny walked toward the road.  When he reached it, the smooth dirt made for easier and quicker traveling than the rough terrain of the surrounding area.  He could see smoke in the distance, and decided that, rather than heading away from it this time, he’d head toward it.  As the old saying went, if you play with fire you might get burned. But as Johnny knew, too, where you found fire, you also found firemen.  And right now finding a fireman would be better than finding gold in John Gage’s opinion. 

~*~

While Roy slept on Sunday afternoon, Joanne used a payphone outside the cafeteria to call her mother-in-law, and then Theresa. Captain Stanley waited patiently on a small couch to the left of the phone and leafed through an issue of Popular Mechanics during Joanne’s conversations. She told both women about the mix-up that had caused Roy to be wrongly identified as Johnny, then updated them on Roy’s medical condition. 

“I don’t know how long it’ll be before Roy’s released from the hospital,” Joanne told Theresa.  “His mother is going to call you in a little while and offer to pick up the kids whenever you’re ready to get rid of them.”

“I’m not ready to get rid of them,” Theresa assured.  “They’re keeping my three busy and out of my hair.”

“They’re behaving themselves?”

“Like little angels.”

Joanne chuckled at that.  Though she’d readily acknowledge that she and Roy were raising their children to be well mannered, Chris and Jennifer were nonetheless typical kids.  She could easily imagine that Theresa’s household was at least a bit more chaotic and noisy with two children added to it.

“Like little angels, huh?” Joanne said with a smile. “When things calm down and Roy’s back on his feet, I owe you a long weekend of babysitting so you and Doug can get away.”

“I just might take you up on that offer.”

“I’m going to insist that you do.  In the meantime, I’ll let you and Harriet work out whatever arrangements you want to for the kids.  I’ll stay in touch with both of you. Hopefully, within a day or two, I’ll know when Roy can come home.  Depending on when Captain Stanley has to be back, I might have to ride home with him, and then come up here again a few days later to get Roy.  It all depends on what the doctor says.”

“Don’t worry about things on this end. You do whatever you have to. Whether the kids are here another two days, or another seven days, makes no difference to us.”

“Thanks, Theresa.  Thanks so much. I couldn’t have gotten through this without your help.”

“You’d do the same for me.”

“I would,” Joanne assured.  “Speaking of the kids, can I talk to Chris and Jenny for a minute?”

“You could, but Doug took all of them to a carnival that’s running this weekend at a park in his brother’s neighborhood.  Alan…my brother-in-law, was taking his kids and meeting Doug there.”

“That’s nice.  My kids will enjoy it.”

“Mine too. Plus, they always like doing something with Daddy after being stuck with mean old Mommy all week.”

“I understand completely,” Joanne agreed, thinking about how much Chris and Jennifer looked forward to spending time with Roy on his days off.  She was so thankful the kids would still have their dad around to do things with.  “I’ll call back later this evening then.  Will you guys be there sometime after supper?”

“If we go anywhere, it’ll just be to walk a few blocks to the Tasty Freeze for ice cream.  Otherwise, we’ll be here.”

“Okay. Well, tell the kids I called, and that I’ll talk to them later.”

“I will.  And Joanne?”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad Roy’s going to be all right.”

Joanne didn’t know if she felt like smiling with relief, or crying with relief, when she said softly, “Thanks.  I am too.”

After Joanne said goodbye and hung up the phone, Hank made her go into the cafeteria and have lunch with him. The captain insisted on paying for the woman’s meal, and though Joanne protested his offer, Hank wouldn’t take no for an answer.  Aside from surmising the DeSotos were on a tight budget like most young families with one income were, Hank also knew Joanne would be more likely to eat everything on her plate if he was paying for it.  The captain was right about that.  Joanne ate all of her lasagna, as well as the tossed salad that had come with it, and the piece of strawberry pie Hank encouraged her to take.   Hank’s meal was the same as Joanne’s, except he’d chosen ravioli from the selection of Italian dishes available. 

When the captain had finished his pie, he pushed his empty dishes aside and got up to pour himself a second cup of coffee. He asked Joanne if she wanted a refill, but she said, “No, thanks,” even though refills were free.

After the man sat back down across from Joanne, she asked, “Do you think…do you think they’ll find Johnny?”

Hank nodded. “They’ll find him.”

As soon as Hank had realized it was Roy in the hospital bed and had gotten Joanne a chair so she could sit beside him, the captain had left the room with Doctor Jepson.  Though the doctor had drawn some logical conclusions based on Joanne’s reaction upon seeing the man in the bed, Hank said, “That’s Mrs. DeSoto’s husband Roy.”

“I gathered that.  He came in wearing a turnout coat with the name Gage on the back, and without a wallet, so the mistake in identity wasn’t the fault of anyone on staff here.”

“I understand that. I’m not trying to place blame.  I’m more concerned about the man I still have missing. John Gage.  Can I use a phone to call the high school?”

Doctor Jepson knew the high school was the fire department’s command post during this emergency, so didn’t question Hank’s request. 

“Sure. Right this way.”

The physician took Hank to the nurses’ station and asked the woman standing behind it to look up the school’s phone number.  She pulled a phone book out of a desk drawer and did as the doctor requested.  She wrote the number down for Hank on a small piece of paper, then turned the phone around so he could dial it.

Within a few seconds time, someone picked up the phone that was ringing in the high school’s gymnasium.  Hank identified himself, and asked if he could speak with Chief Smitz.  It took a minute of explaining, and then another minute of answering the chief’s questions, for Hank to make the fire chief understand that the body brought into the morgue hadn’t been that of Roy DeSoto, and that the hospitalized man wasn’t John Gage, but instead, was Roy DeSoto, and that John Gage was still missing.

“I’ll let my people know,” the chief promised once he got all of it straight.  “We’ll keep looking for Gage.  We’re still missing three men of our own who belong to Engine Company 63.”

“Maybe John met up with them,” Hank said hopefully, though he knew, given the vastness of the area, that was a long shot.

“Maybe.  Right now I’d be happy to find out we ran across just one of ‘em.  Running across all of ‘em, Gage included, will make my day.”

“I’m sure it will, Chief. Thanks. I’ll be back at the school sometime later today. I’ll check in with you then.”

“Good enough.  In the meantime, if we hear anything about Gage, will I be able to get a hold of you at the hospital?”

“Yeah. I’ll be here with Mrs. DeSoto.”

“Speaking of Mrs. DeSoto, how’s her husband?”

“Pretty banged up, but the doctor thinks he’ll be okay.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Yeah, believe me, so were we.”

“Could he give you any information on Gage?”

“No, he’s still unconscious.”

“Oh.  Well, call me if he comes to and tells you anything.  At this point, we’ll take all the help we can get.”

“Will do.”

Hank had kept his promise and had called Leonard Smitz back after Roy woke up.  Unfortunately, based on what Joanne had told him, all Hank could relay to the chief was that Johnny had evidently left the area Roy had been found in to go look for help.  What direction John had traveled in, or if he’d had a specific destination in mind, remained a mystery.

Hank was brought back to the present when Joanne asked, “But will he…do you think Johnny’ll be okay? I mean, it’s a good sign that he set off on foot, and was apparently unhurt when he left Roy, don’t you think?”

“Yeah,” Hank agreed, “that’s a good sign.” 

The captain didn’t tell Joanne of the main concern he had – that Johnny had gotten caught in the middle of the fire when it had flared up on Thursday evening.  Granted, most of the missing men had been found, but those guys from Engine 63 that Chief Smitz had mentioned were still unaccounted for. It was Sunday afternoon now.  Including Johnny, four men had been missing since Thursday.  Hank thought the chances were fairly slim that any of them would be found alive, though admittedly, he’d heard of firemen walking safely out of brush fires after they’d been missing for a while.

But three days isnt’ just ‘a while.’ It’s a helluva long time given the circumstances.

Hank didn’t say that to Joanne, though.  Instead, he offered her a reassuring smile, said, “Don’t worry.  John can take care of himself,” then added, “Let’s go back upstairs and see if Roy’s awake.  Maybe he’ll be able to give us more information on which direction John went, or if he was headed to any specific base camp.”

“That would help, wouldn’t it,” Joanne commented while carrying her tray to the woman behind the counter who was collecting the dirty dishes. 

“It would.” Hank also handed his tray to the woman with a “Thanks.”

But the help Hank was hoping for didn’t come. Roy woke up again at three-thirty.  He wasn’t able to give his captain any more information than he’d given his wife.  He knew Johnny had left to get help, but Roy had no idea which way the man had gone, and Roy didn’t remember Johnny mentioning a destination. Given Roy’s injuries, none of this surprised Hank, but it had been worth a try.

The captain could tell Roy was upset over his inability to assist with finding Johnny, so gave the man a smile meant to reassure him.

“Like I told Joanne, John can take care of himself.”

“But it’s been three days, Cap,” Roy said softly with a note of both defeat and despair in his tone. “Three days.”

When a nurse’s aid brought in a lunch tray for Roy a few minutes later, his worry for Johnny was so great that he pushed it aside as soon as the young woman left the room. If Joanne and Hank hadn’t been there to bully Roy into eating the chicken soup and cherry Jell-O that made up his first ‘solid’ meal since noon on Thursday, he wouldn’t have eaten at all.

~*~ 

Roy shifted his position in the hospital bed and grimaced at the pain even that slight movement caused. He couldn't say which felt worse, his ribs, his left arm, or his head. He didn't suppose it mattered. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and saw it was close to five. Probably time for his pain meds, which would explain why he was hurting so bad. But as much as he would have welcomed the relief, he almost hated to see the nurse walk through the door. He didn't want to be doped up. He wanted to be wide-awake and aware of what was going on. If news came through about Johnny, Roy would never forgive himself if he slept through it.

Of course, what he really wanted was to be able to get up out of this bed and go help look for his partner. But apart from the fact that his wife, his captain, and his doctor - in that order of authority - would never allow it, Roy knew he wasn't in any shape to even make it to the bathroom, let alone hike around the hills.

And so he lay here, his mind running through all the different scenarios of what might have happened to Johnny, berating himself for being so stupid and clumsy to fall down and get hurt in the first place, and wondering why he had been lucky enough to be found when Johnny was still out there lost and possibly...

No. He wouldn't allow himself to finish that thought. He wasn't ready to even consider that yet.

The door to his room opened, and Roy glanced up to see Joanne come in. She gave him a bright, welcoming smile, though he could still see traces of the strain she'd been through in her eyes. She hadn't told him the entire story yet, but he'd picked up enough snippets of conversation between the doctor and nurses, that he knew about the initial confusion in his identity. He could only imagine what kind of a toll that had taken on his wife. Joanne was a strong woman, but Roy knew a lot of that was a facade she put on for him and the kids. He knew she must have gone through a great deal of grief until the mistake had been realized and she knew he was alive.

"Hi, sweetheart," Joanne greeted as she sat down beside his bed and took his hand in hers. She seemed to hold onto him constantly whenever she was near him. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay," he lied, not wanting to cause her any more worry than he already had.

But Joanne wasn't easily fooled. She squeezed his hand and gave him a reproving frown. "When have you even been able to lie to me, Roy DeSoto?" she asked gently.

He smiled wanly in surrender.

"Do you want me to call the nurse? I'm sure she can give you something to..."

"No," he interrupted, stopping himself before he shook his head, knowing the pain that would cause would prompt Joanne to override his wishes and get the nurse in here pronto. "I'm okay, Jo... really. That stuff makes me groggy, and I don't want to go back to sleep... not for a while."

He felt her squeeze his hand again, and he blessed her perception. She knew without him having to spell it out why he was resisting the medication.

"They'll find him, Roy," Joanne said softly, her hand brushing against this cheek.

Roy sighed and closed his left eye for a moment. He was still so weak, just talking this much was tiring. But when Joanne didn't say anything else, he opened his good eye again and gave her a curious look. Just as she knew him like the other half of herself, Roy knew Joanne equally as well. Right now there was something else on her mind.

"What is it?" he asked.

Joanne's soft smile acknowledged his own perception. "I was just talking to Hank," she told him. "He's been on the phone with headquarters for the last half hour. He's not real happy about it, but they need him to come back to L.A."

"Can't say I'm surprised," Roy murmured quietly. "They're probably spread pretty thin."

Joanne nodded. "That's what they said. What with the men they've loaned out here, and the heat wave continuing..." She trailed off with a sigh, then met Roy's eyes. "He's going back in the morning."

Roy suddenly realized what she was trying to tell him. "You're going with him," he concluded.

Joanne's face reflected her obvious dilemma. "I really should get back to the kids, and now that I know you're going to be okay... With all the evacuations they've had here, their shelters are pretty full. It just makes more sense to go with Hank."

Roy knew she was trying to convince herself just as much as she was trying to convince him. And she was right. It did make more sense for her to go home, rather than have to stay in an already over crowded shelter, or worse, spend money they didn't have for a hotel room. For Roy knew that was another consideration that had to be on his wife's mind. But he also knew she hated to leave him here alone, and that a little support from him might be what Joanne needed to help her make up her mind.

"You go ahead with Cap," Roy told her with as much conviction as he could muster considering his already taxed strength. Joanne had to be certain he would be all right without her here or she would never leave. "I'll be okay."

"Well, I can always come back with our car. The kids will want to see you anyway."

"Jo... it's too long a drive to drag the kids up here for just a few minute's visit. They can talk to me on the phone. Besides, I'll probably be out of here in a few days."

"Your doctor said more like a week," Joanne reminded him with amused reproof. Then her face grew hesitant.

"What?" Roy asked, concerned that there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Well, it's just.... well, Doctor Jepson said that you'd probably be strong enough in a day or so to be transferred to Rampart, and..."

"Rampart?" Roy tried to sit up, and immediately regretted it. The pain that he'd been able to ignore flared up instantly with his movement, causing him to sink back down with groan, that brought Joanne's hand to the call button.

"No... Jo, I'll... I'll be okay," he gasped out, trying hard to get himself under control. The last thing he wanted was to be drugged up and have decisions made without him. Especially the decision about taking him away from Ojai.

"Roy, please," Joanne pleaded. "Just let them give you something for the pain. I hate seeing you like this."

"I'll... I'll be fine," he assured her, knowing he didn't sound very convincing, but Joanne sat back without pressing the button. He took her hand. "I know... I know it would be easier for you... and for the kids, if I was closer to home," he said, still a bit breathless. "But, Jo... I can't... I can't leave here without Johnny... without knowing..." Roy’s voice failed him, and he had to settle for tightening his hold on her hand.

Joanne understood. She gave him a watery smile and brought his hand up to kiss it. "I know, Roy, I know. But they'll find him. I know they will."

He gave her a slight nod and closed his eyes. Their conversation had just come full circle. There seemed to be nothing more he could do or say. He could only cling to that frail hope.

~*~ 

Johnny's world had narrowed to the dusty road he was walking on, and the increasing effort it took to keep lifting one foot in front of the other. Between the dust, dirt and ash, his watch had stopped working, making it hard to know exactly what time it was. He'd been using the sun's progress across the hazy sky as a crude monitor of the passing hours, but the wind had picked up again, as it had been doing in the late afternoons, blotting the sun from his view with thick brown smoke that not only made it impossible to gauge the time of day, but made breathing difficult. Johnny began a steady rhythm of coughing and clearing his throat, but it didn't help much, and a heavy pressure soon settled into his lungs.

It was only one more discomfort to a body already pushed to the limit. The paramedic's shoulder throbbed miserably with each step he took; whatever help the Bufferin provided had long since stopped. With the extra dust and dirt swirling through the air, he found his vision blurred constantly as his tear ducts worked overtime to try and clear the irritating grit from his eyes. He'd paused once and used a small amount of his precious water in an attempt to rinse them out, but it had only helped for a short time, so he didn't try it again.

So now, hurting and coughing and barely able to see more than a few feet in front of him, Johnny kept his head down and concentrated on trudging forward. People were counting on him, but there were times when he was hard pressed to remember who. Faces kept flashing through his mind - some he knew, some were strangers - but he knew that if he didn't keep going he would be letting them all down.

He didn't know what made him glance to the side of the trail. Maybe it was the extra strong gust of wind that whipped up the dirt and pelted his face with stinging particles that made him turn aside from the road ahead of him. Maybe it was just pure chance. In either case, what he saw made him stop in mid stride.

The scene before him was unreal. At the bottom of a scorched hillside, stood a small deer. Johnny had seen plenty of deer when he was a boy and knew this one wasn't full grown, though it had lost its baby spots. It stood motionless, its ears pointed straight, its nose twitching as the wind brought far too many smells for the animal's inexperienced nose to tell apart.

Johnny never moved a muscle, and the deer's head moved fractionally until it locked eyes with the paramedic. The exhausted man stood transfixed, as still as the deer; feeling the wind whipping at him, smelling the approaching fire. He knew he should keep walking, but he couldn't get his legs to obey his brain. Nothing mattered at the moment except for the slender thread that linked him to this wild creature.

And suddenly the moment was gone. The blast of an air horn broke the strange connection. The deer bolted back up the hillside at the same time Johnny turned his head to see the approaching engine.

He stared at it, uncomprehending for a moment as to what its presence meant. And then relief swept through him in a tangible wave, taking away the last of his reserves as he sank to his knees in the dirt. 

~*~ 

The engineer saw the man drop to the ground.

“Cap, Look!”

“I see ‘im.” Captain Salvatore Donatelli swung down from the cab of Engine 17.  “Wonder how the hell he got so far from everyone else?”

Though the crew of Engine 17 was aware that three men from Engine 63 were still missing, as was one L.A. County paramedic, Sal Donatelli was nonetheless surprised to find a man alone and on foot so far from the areas where the various men had last been seen.  17’s wasn’t part of the search and rescue mission.  They had just left the high school in Ojai after a rest period, and were headed to Base Camp 6 for their assignment.

The captain signaled for his crew to remain on the truck as he and his engineer, Terrance Ellis, ran toward the fallen man.

Because he was wearing a blue t-shirt, it was impossible to tell at first glance who this man belonged to – Ventura County or L.A. County.  Fortunately, Captain Donatelli didn’t have to guess.  The man was still on his knees and conscious as Sal slipped a hand under his right armpit. The unidentified fireman swayed, that action indicating to Sal that the man was as weak and exhausted as he looked.  Because the man’s head was bent, his mumbled words were impossible for the captain to understand.

“Roy…Hector…Roy…someone needs to get to ‘em.  Someone needs to--”

“Hey, there, you take it easy now,” the normally gruff captain said in a quiet, soothing voice as he crouched in front of Johnny. “We got ya’.  You’re gonna be okay.”

Johnny’s eyes were now so irritated that even when he squinted, he could barely discern the face of the man supporting him.  He sensed another man at his side, and felt hands checking for broken limbs.  Both Donatelli and Ellis took note of how difficult it was for the exhausted paramedic to formulate his thoughts, and then voice them.

“Back there…” Johnny tilted his head backwards.  “Back ‘bout ten…twelve miles maybe...on the west side of a…a dry gulch…a guy…a guy from Ventura…Engine 63.  Name…name’s Hector…Hector Rodriguez.  I did…did what I could for ‘im – broken leg, contusions, concussion - but he needs...needs to get…get to a hospital.”

“Looks like you need the same thing,” Sal said, before looking at his engineer.  “Rodriguez is one of the guys who’s missing.”

Terry nodded, affirming to his captain that this fireman wasn’t delusional.  He was apparently with it enough to know who Rodriguez was, and to have given him some kind of medical care.  Based on the fireman’s words of “I did what I could for him” and then the rundown given of Rodriguez’s injuries, Sal drew a logical conclusion.

“Are you Gage?  The paramedic from L.A. County?”

“Yeah…yeah, that’s me.”

“Do you know anything about two other guys with 63’s?  Pete Petersen and Jim Moore?”

Johnny gave a small nod. “Yeah…yeah…think...I think they got caught in a blowup.”

The captain swallowed hard.  He’d worked with Pete and Jim ten years ago out of Station 49.  “Dead?”

Johnny nodded, then said again, “Roy…back there.  Roy…”

“Roy DeSoto?”

Just like Johnny hadn’t thought anything of it when the captain had asked if he was Gage, he also didn’t think anything of it when the man seemed to know who Roy was.   Johnny assumed that by now, the names of any missing men had been circulated amongst all on-duty firefighters, or if nothing else, amongst the various commanders.

“Yeah.  My partner.  He’s...he’s back there.  Fell down a ravine.  Don’t know exactly…exactly where, but if you…you can tell me where we’re at, I can take you there.  I know I can.”

If Johnny were being honest with himself, he knew nothing of the sort.  He was exhausted, dehydrated, hungry, in pain, and had no idea if he really could locate Roy, although if this captain could just get him to Base Camp 9, then he was certain he had a good chance of figuring out what direction they needed to travel in from there.

“Base Camp 9.  If you can take me there then I can--”

“There’s no need for me to take you anywhere but a hospital.”

“But Roy…if you--”

“Your partner was found, Gage.”

“When?”

“Yesterday I think, though I don’t know that for sure.  All I know is, his name wasn’t on the list of missing men any longer when I checked it right before we pulled out.”

“How is he? Where--”

“Sorry, I can’t answer any of your questions ‘cause I don’t know the answers.  But maybe you can answer some of mine.”

Sal then questioned Johnny about Hector’s location in an attempt to more accurately pinpoint where the man was.  Terry refilled the canteen Johnny had been carrying, using one of the water jugs that were amongst the supplies on the engine.  As he placed the canteen against the paramedic’s mouth and tilted it so Johnny could take a drink, Sal said, “I can’t believe you walked this far in your condition.”

Water ran down Johnny’s chin, making a path through the dirt and dust accumulated there.  “Walked farther…farther than that.”

“How far?”

“Don’t…don’t know.  Been walking since…since Thursday night.”

“Thursday night!  Holy shit!”

“ ‘Cept for the time I spent under the tree, but that’s another story.”

“One that would tell me how you came by that injured shoulder and the cuts on your face?” Sal questioned as he and Terry helped Johnny to his feet.

“Yeah.”

They guided the paramedic toward the truck.

“After you’ve had a few days of rest in a hospital, maybe you’ll be up to tellin’ me about it.”

“Yeah…maybe.” 

Johnny’s legs ached from the miles he’d traveled, and it was hard to resist the urge to think about how good a hot bath would feel on his sore muscles.  It was also getting harder to remain conscious.  As the fire truck in front of him appeared to waver and grow small, Johnny’s knees buckled.  He would have hit the ground if Captain Donatelli hadn’t still been gripping Johnny’s right armpit, and had Terry Ellis not grabbed him around the waist. 

Johnny never regained consciousness as he was lifted to the hose bed, nor as the truck rumbled over the dirt road and out to the main highway.  According to Sal Donatelli’s watch, it was twenty-four minutes later when the men of Ventura County 17 delivered John Gage to Ojai Valley Community Hospital’s emergency room.  

~*~

Roy had slept for two hours with the aid of the pain meds a nurse had brought him at five-thirty.  Because of Johnny’s unknown status, Roy had at first refused the medication, but it was Captain Stanley who stepped in and asserted some authority over the situation.

“Roy, for the sake of your wife and kids, you need follow doctor’s orders.  It’ll take you that much longer to heal if you don’t get the rest you need.”

“That’s true, Mr. DeSoto,” the nurse had confirmed.

Roy knew it was true, but still, it wasn’t easy to give into the comfort of sleep when Johnny’s whereabouts, and physical condition, where unknown.  However, Roy was forced to face the fact that Johnny’s whereabouts might be unknown for some time yet. If he’d been surrounded by the fire, or caught in a blowup…well, a man could be incinerated in seconds if that was the case.  If that had been Johnny’s fate, it might be weeks before he was found.  Roy couldn’t be laid up in a hospital bed that long.  Like Cap had said, he had to get well for Jo and the kids.  The longer he remained in Ojai, the harder it would be on his family.

Roy consented to taking the medication, falling into a deep sleep soon thereafter.  He woke up to the sound of Joanne talking quietly on the phone beside his bed.  He glanced at the clock and saw it was twenty minutes to eight.  As his mind became more alert, Roy was able to focus on Joanne’s words, and conclude she was talking to Theresa.

“I’ll be at your house around one-thirty tomorrow afternoon.  Captain Stanley said we’d come here and see Roy for a while when visiting hours start at ten, then get some lunch before heading home.”

As Joanne finished her conversation, she saw that Roy was awake.

“Hold on a second, Theresa.”

Joanne put a hand over the mouthpiece and asked her husband, “Do you wanna say hi to the kids?”

Roy started to nod, then thought better of it.  Despite the pain medication, his headache was still present, and probably would be for several days according to Doctor Jepson.

Roy cleared his throat in an effort to sound as strong as possible, then waited while Joanne pressed the button that would raise the head of his bed.  When he was in a half-seated position, Roy heard Joanne say, “Theresa, can you have the kids come to the phone again?  Roy wants to say hi to them.”

Roy didn’t try to take the receiver from Joanne, but instead, allowed her to hold it to his ear and mouth.  He waited until he heard Chris’s, “Hello?”
 

“Hi, buddy. How’re you?”

“Hi, Dad!  I’m fine. It’s loads of fun here!”

“I bet it is.”

“How come your voice sounds funny?  You gotta cold?”

“No…no.  Just tired.”

“From fightin’ that big fire, right?”

“Right.”

“You comin’ home soon?”

“Mommy will be home tomorrow.  I’ll be coming a few days after that.”

“You gonna stay with Uncle Johnny until he’s better?”
 

Roy knew Joanne told the kids Johnny had been hurt, back when Hank had first notified her that Johnny had been found, and that he – Roy – was still missing.  Roy hated to lie to his son, since he knew that would only lead to more heartache for Chris later if it was discovered that Johnny had perished in the fire, yet now wasn’t the time to tell Chris Johnny’s whereabouts and condition were unknown.  Roy settled for being evasive.

“Uh…yeah.  Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna do.  Put Jenny on the phone now.  And be good for Theresa.”

“Okay.”

Jennifer’s conversation with her father didn’t differ much from her brother’s.  She wanted to know when Roy was coming home, and asked how Uncle Johnny was, and if she could talk to him too.

“Not now, princess.”

“How come?”

“He’s…he’s sleeping.”

“Oh.  Well tell him Jenny Bean DeSoto said hi Uncle Johnny when he wakes up, ‘kay?”
 

Roy couldn’t help but smile.  “Sure. I’ll tell him. Be a good girl for Theresa.  I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

Roy heard his daughter’s, “See ya’ later, Daddy,” right before Joanne took the phone from his ear.  She spoke to Jennifer for the second time that evening, then briefly spoke with Theresa before hanging up.

“Sounds like the kids are having a good time,” Roy commented.

“It sure does. They’ll probably be disappointed to see me tomorrow.”

Roy took his wife’s hand. “I doubt it.”

Although Roy didn’t object when a supper tray was brought in a few minutes later, he didn’t feel like eating either.  Roy recalled Hank’s words from earlier, however, and knew that eating was something he had to do too, in order to get well.

Joanne sat with her husband while he ate.  She glanced at the clock several times. When visiting hours ended at nine, she was to meet Captain Stanley in the waiting area so they could return to the high school where they planned to sleep again.

The woman didn’t relish another night in the hot school after having spent most of the day in the air conditioned hospital, but she knew Hank was anxious to get back to the command center so he’d be there if word came in regarding Johnny. Joanne couldn’t blame the captain for that, and just like Hank Stanley, she hoped they didn’t have to leave Ojai the next day without knowing if John Gage was alive or dead. 

Sometimes it’s the not knowing that’s the worst.

 Joanne studied her husband’s face, and sensed he was thinking the same thing. 

Even if it’s bad news, it will be so much easier on Roy once he knows for certain that Johnny no longer needs his help.

It was a heartbreaking thought, but one Joanne couldn’t deny the validity of every time she saw the worried look on Roy’s face.

~*~

Despite Joanne’s protests, Hank had bought her supper in the hospital’s cafeteria while Roy slept earlier that evening.  Hank remained in the waiting area after they’d returned to Roy’s floor.  He knew Joanne wanted to call the woman who was watching the kids so she could talk to Chris and Jennifer.  Hank didn’t want to intrude on the mother’s conversation with her children, and he also wanted to give Roy and Joanne some time alone before visiting hours ended.  He was reading the morning edition of the Ojai Herald that someone had left laying on the coffee table, when a nurse’s aid approached.

“Excuse me. Are you Captain Stanley?”

Hank folded the paper and stood. “I am.”

“Doctor Jepson asked me to bring you to the ER.”

“Me?”

“If you’re Hank Stanley.”

“I’m him.”

“Then you.”

“What for?”

“I don’t know.  He just said to see if you were still in the building.”

Hank asked the woman to wait while he told Joanne where he was going, but when he opened the door to Roy’s room, Joanne had her back to him and was talking to Theresa, and Roy was still sleeping.  Hank eased the door closed without disturbing either one of them.  He stopped by the nurses’ station and let the woman there know where he was going.

“If Mrs. DeSoto is looking for me, would you tell her I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“I’ll do that,” the nurse promised.

Hank followed the aid as they walked down a long corridor, took a left, and walked down another long corridor until they reached the emergency room.  The woman paused outside Trauma Room 2.

“Go on in.”

Hank pointed at the door. “In there?”

“Uh huh.”

“Are you sure I’m supposed to?”
 

“That’s what Doctor Jepson said.”
 

Hank shrugged as the woman walked away.  If the physician wanted to speak to him about Roy, this seemed like a strange place for such a discussion to take place.  Hank hesitated a moment longer.  When no nurse appeared to shoo him away from the door, and when Doctor Jepson didn’t walk out of it, Hank pushed it open halfway and peered inside.

The room itself was no different from any ER trauma room Hank had ever seen.  An exam table was located in the middle, with stainless steel cabinets lining the walls.  A silver tray was on a wheeled pedestal four and a half feet in height, and held medical supplies – bandages, cotton balls, white adhesive tape, a roll of gauze, a bottle of saline, antibiotic ointment, and a syringe.  The tray was next to the exam table, and within easy reach of the doctor.  A nurse stood on the opposite side of the table that held a patient.  All Hank could see was the black boots and navy trousers that indicated the patient could be a fireman, though on the other hand, the man could just as easily be a forest service employee, or one of the construction workers who had been called upon to operate some of the heavy equipment like bulldozers and caterpillars.

The nurse caught sight of Hank.  She nodded her head in his direction and said, “Doctor…”

Doctor Jepson turned, following the woman’s gaze. 

“Captain Stanley, come in.”

“You’re with a patient.  I can wait out here.  The woman who came and got me said you wanted me to come in, but she must have been mistaken.  I’ll--”          

“She wasn’t mistaken.  I do want you to come in.”

“But--”

Hank’s attempt to point out once again that the doctor was with a patient was cut-off by the physician. 

“It’s okay,” the doctor assured as he stepped away from the table, and pulled the instrument tray along with him.  “I don’t think this particular patient will mind if you’re here.”

Johnny turned his head slightly.  He couldn’t see his captain because of the round white bandages covering his eyes, but he said, “Cap?” in a weak, hoarse voice that broadcast all he’d been through since Thursday.

Hank’s surprise at discovering the patient’s identity kept him rooted in place for a few seconds.  When Johnny said, “Cap?” again, in a tone that indicated he was searching for the man, Hank stepped up to the table.  He laid a hand on Johnny’s uninjured shoulder.

“Right here, pal.  How ya’ doin’?”

“Been better…but then, been worse, too.”

Hank smiled at the man’s resiliency, and at the truth behind his words. 

“Yeah, I’ve seen you deal with worse, but it still looks like you’ve got a few problems here,” Hank said, hoping Johnny would take the hint and fill him in on his injuries.  Since Hank technically wasn’t a family member, he wasn’t sure how much Doctor Jepson could tell him without John’s permission.

“A few,” Johnny acknowledged.  “Mostly just cuts and bruises and sore muscles.”

“What about that sling you’re wearing, and those bandages over your eyes?”

“Dislocated shoulder, and four days worth of smoke and dust.”

The doctor evidently thought it was all right to expound on Johnny’s explanation. 

“As soon as the orthopedic surgeon is available, he’ll look at the X-rays I had taken of John’s shoulder.  I don’t think surgery will be necessary, but he’ll have to put the joint back in place, of course.  As for John’s eyes, I want an ophthalmologist to look at them.  Aside from the smoke and dust John mentioned, I also irrigated slivers of bark.   I want to make certain no permanent damage was done, though as of right now, John has fairly good vision in both eyes, all things considered.”

Aside from looking like he was in bad need of a hot shower, a day of uninterrupted sleep, and a few wholesome meals, Johnny appeared to have faired pretty well since leaving Roy on Thursday evening.  Hank knew the paramedic probably had quite a story to tell, but now was not the time to question him.  The captain assumed the syringe was an indication of some type of pain medication Johnny had already been given to take the bite off his injuries, and he had an IV running into a vein that Hank assumed was being used to counter dehydration.  Aside from those things, Johnny still had to be seen by the orthopedic surgeon and the ophthalmologist before he could be settled in a room for the evening.  Questions could wait until John had gotten some sleep and a decent meal.

Hank looked at the doctor. “How long do you think he’ll be in the hospital?”

“Until we know more about his eyes, I can’t give an accurate answer. But if I had to guess…maybe three or four days.”

“Is it possible that he and Roy can come travel back to L.A. at the same time?”

“It’s possible.  We’ll have to see how they both progress over the next few days.”

“Cap…” Johnny said when he sensed a lull in the conversation. “Roy?  The doc said Roy’s okay?”

“Roy’s fine.”

“Really?”

Hank smiled and squeezed the paramedic’s shoulder again. “Really.  A little banged up just like you are, but he’s gonna be okay.”

Hank could easily hear the relief in Johnny’s muttered, “Thank God.”

Thank God is right.  Where both you and Roy are concerned.

Hank returned his attention to the doctor.  “Do think my two paramedics can room together once you move Roy off of ICU?”

Doctor Jepson nodded.  “I’m sure it can be arranged. Given the improvement Mr. DeSoto’s made throughout the day, he’ll probably be moved yet this evening.”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, Doc,” Johnny mumbled, the effects of the painkillers making it difficult for him to talk.  “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

A giant man with massive shoulders and hands entered the room.  Even before Doctor Jepson spoke to him, Hank identified him as the orthopedic surgeon.  He’s always heard it took a good sized guy to put bones back in place, and so far, most orthos he’d had reason to run across lived up to the description of ‘good sized.’

While the two physicians conferred, Hank looked down at his paramedic.

“John, I’m gonna go back to Roy and Joanne while the doctors finish with you.”

“Jo…Joanne’s here too?”

“Yeah, she came up with me last night.  I’m gonna get back to her and Roy now.  They’ve been really worried about you.  They’ll wanna know that you’re here, and that you’re gonna be okay.”   

Johnny gave his captain a wobbly thumbs up.  “Oh yeah…I’m okay.  Tell ‘em that as long as Roy…Roy’s fine, I’ll be fine too.”

“I’ll tell ‘em,” Hank promised.  “If I’m not able to see you again tonight, Joanne and I’ll be back in the morning to see both you and Roy.”

“ ‘Kay…okay, Cap.”

Hank started to turn for the door, when Johnny called him back  “Cap?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you…you find out if they…if a guy named Hec…Hector Rodriguez was brought in?”

Before Hank got the opportunity to answer Johnny, the orthopedic surgeon said, “They just brought him in a few minutes ago. From the look of things, I’ll be setting a leg for him later on this evening.”

“He…is he gonna be okay?”

 

“He’s not in any grave danger, let’s put it that way.”

“Good.”

“How do you know Rodriguez, John?” Hank asked.

“I guess…guess you could say we sorta ran across one another out…out in the middle of a fire.”

Hank nodded. “I see.” 

As the orthopedic surgeon bent over Johnny, Hank slipped from the room.  A grin broke out across the captain’s face as he headed down the hall with a spring to his step that had been missing ever since he’d been summoned to Ojai.  He couldn’t wait to tell Roy the news about Johnny. The captain had no doubt this would aid in Roy’s recovery far more than any medication could.

~*~

Roy stared absently towards the narrow window. The light outside had disappeared. Even the dingy brown of the smoke laden sky had merged into the darker shades of night. As he lay there waiting, Roy finally admitted to himself what he’d really known all along. Johnny wasn’t coming back.

His hand curled into a fist beneath the thin blanket, and Roy squeezed his good eye shut, willing the outcome to change. However, the only thing that happened was a vision appearing before him. The memory of his partner walking away from him... setting out across a rocky landscape toward a fate that every fireman dreaded.

You did it for me, Johnny. You risked your life to save me, but look what happened. I’m still here, and you didn’t make it. You never even had a chance.

With a pang of regret, Roy realized that he had given up on his partner, yet he also knew there was little sense in hanging onto a lie. One man against a fire of that magnitude had little chance of making it out alive. It had been a valiant effort, but a hopeless one, and they both should’ve realized that before Johnny walked off into the wilderness.

From some far corner of his tired brain, Roy knew that he was succumbing to a logical pitfall. Depression after severe trauma was common, especially when combined with the medications he’d been given. Not to mention that he’d been in surgery merely . . well, how long ago was it?

His head ached with the effort of trying to reason out the logistics of what and how the last hours had passed. Actually, his head hurt all the time, no matter what he was thinking or doing. Roy tried to relax a little, stretched his leg experimentally, but stopped when the movement threatened to make matters worse.

The soft murmur of female voices across the room caught his attention. Joanne was providing her itinerary to the night nurse, making sure the woman knew where to call in case of emergency. It was obvious that his wife was reluctant to leave. However, according to the nurse, Cap was supposed to be back in a few minutes from wherever it was he’d been summoned to, and Joanne seemed determined to make sure everything was in order before she and Hank left the hospital for the night.

Neither Roy nor Joanne had been told why Hank had been summoned from the waiting area so abruptly, nonetheless, Roy strongly surmised it had something to do with Johnny, and that the news probably wasn’t good.  The look on Joanne’s face when the nurse had given them the brief message of, “Captain Stanley had to leave for a few minutes,” told Roy that his wife was thinking the same thing – that Hank was being given bad news about Johnny.

Tuning out the women’s conversation, Roy attempted to prevent the flood of memories that seemed to come at him from every direction. Even closing his eyes brought no reprieve. Instead, the vision of Johnny standing beside him seemed clearer than ever. There was even a hint of a smile on the young paramedic’s face, as if he were the one who knew the punch line, and Roy would be left forever waiting to hear the end of the joke. How was it possible that he could remember Johnny smiling, when all he felt was grief? Was it simply human nature? Or was he really losing control?

Slowly, Roy turned his head to look again out the small window. The evening dusk had deepened into night, and he was suddenly reminded of something he’d been told years ago in training. One of the doctors had cautioned them about increased depression in patients during the twilight hours, that shifting moment in time between daylight and darkness. Yet he knew that his feelings were much more than simple melancholy. Roy had lost something today, something he’d never be able to replace. Ever. He’d lost more than just a partner. He’d lost his best friend. And no amount of wishing was going to change that fact.
 

~*~

 “You have the number where you can reach me?”

“Yes, Mrs. DeSoto. But I’m sure it won’t be necessary to contact you. Your husband’s condition is improving, and from what the doctor said, he may be moved from ICU yet this evening.”

Joanne nodded approvingly, and moved back several steps to give the nurse room to leave.

The nurse had been balancing a small tray in her left hand, while reaching for the door handle with her right. Fingertips barely touching metal, she pulled her hand back as if burnt, and a gave a small startled cry of, “Oh!”  The door swung inward, making Joanne realize the nurse had felt the momentum of it being pushed open.

When the door stopped moving, the women found themselves staring up at Hank Stanley, his expression unreadable. Joanne’s heart was in her throat as she forced herself to speak.

“Hank? What is it?”

~*~ 

This is it. They’ve found him.

The sound of the door opening had instantly alerted Roy to the visitor, and the minute Joanne spoke, he knew that Cap was there with news. It was more than the catch in his wife’s voice as she spoke; it was the stillness that answered her. Cap had yet to speak.

Roy stared numbly at the window, willing the moment to pass, but prepared for the words he knew were about to come.

“We found him. Johnny didn’t make it. But he died in the line of duty. He’ll be remembered as a hero.”

There was movement across the room, then the sound of the door gently closing. Roy guessed that the nurse had left them alone. The footsteps moving towards his bed were Cap’s, but it was Joanne’s hand that found his. And then the words came. There was no preamble, no pretense . . just Captain Stanley’s familiar voice finally announcing the information they’d all been dreading.

“Roy, they found him. I just saw him. I told them you’d want to see him, too.”

Unable to form a reply, Roy simply lay still beneath the covers. Did he want to see Johnny? He supposed he should. It would be the proper way to say goodbye. But did he really want to see him now? Did he really want to remember his friend as one more burned body? No. He’d rather remember Johnny with a smile on his face.

Joanne squeezed his hand warmly, as if waiting for a reply. Cap’s voice, when he spoke again, carried a note of concern.

“Roy? Did you hear me?”

Looking up, Roy found himself caught his captain’s gaze. He didn’t want to reveal how difficult this was; yet he couldn’t ignore his superior. It was hard to speak, but Roy finally managed to force several words past the lump in his throat.

“Yeah, I heard.”

“Well? Aren’t you relieved?”

“Relieved?”

“Yes! They found him. He’s here, Roy.”

Relieved was not quite the word he’d have used. Yes, he was grateful that his friend had been found. Yes, he was thankful that Johnny’s body was here now, until they could get him home for the ... funeral.

He drew in a breath, struggling to find a way to answer his captain, but Joanne’s worried voice stopped him.

“Roy? What’s wrong with you? All day you’ve been lying there waiting for news, and now Johnny’s here, alive and well, and you look like you’ve lost your best friend. Why aren’t you ...wait…you don’t...oh my God...you think...”

“No, Roy. God, no, I’m sorry.” Cap’s voice was thick with emotion, and he nervously ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Roy, he’s alive! Johnny’s safe. He’s in the ER right now, and the doctor said he’s going to be fine. That partner of yours made it out alive!”

Time seemed to stand still as Roy looked back and forth between his wife and his captain. Their ecstatic expressions left little room for doubt, yet he couldn’t quite comprehend the truth of the situation. Johnny alive? How could that be? Forty-eight hours without food or water ...walking through an area ablaze with fire...

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve talked to him.”

“And he’s all right?”

“Banged up some, and he’ll be spending a little time in a hospital bed, but yeah, he’s fine.”

For the first time, Roy let himself relax, if only a little. Could it really be true? Johnny actually made it? Of course it was. Cap wouldn’t lie to him. With a slight turn of his head, Roy found Joanne watching him intently. She didn’t speak, nodding at him instead. But her tear-filled eyes provided the confirmation he was looking for.

“He made it ...he made it!”

Quiet tension erupted into noisy jubilation, as the three friends celebrated Johnny’s return.
 

~*~ 

It had taken a little time for things to calm down in the small room. Even though Roy was visibly tired and weak, not to mention in pain, he fired questions at his captain until the man finally raised his hands in defeat.

“I’ve already told you all I know, Roy. Think I’ll go and see what else I can find out about your partner. You rest easy, and I’ll see you later.”

That had been over an hour ago. Since then, a nurse had administered pain meds, and Roy had been moved to a section of the small hospital just down the hall from ICU that was called Critical Care.  In Roy’s case, this was considered an upgrade, and was for patients who didn’t need the intense nursing care given on ICU, but who still needed closer scrutiny than was gotten in a regular room.  Now Roy was sleeping soundly, his body relaxed for the first time all day.

Joanne watched attentively as her husband slept. Her blue vinyl chair lacked in comfort, but she wouldn’t dream of giving up her position next to Roy’s bed. It had been a very long week, and right now, Joanne didn’t want to be anywhere else.

Plans hadn’t changed.  Morning would see her and Hank driving back to Carson. But tomorrow would come soon enough. There was no reason for them to return to the high school now.  Hank didn’t need to be there waiting for word on Johnny. So for tonight, Joanne DeSoto planned to keep vigil beside her husband, or at least until the doctor forced her to leave.

Her heart sang with happiness as Joanne gave thanks for all the good things that had happened during the past twenty-four hours. She didn’t focus on the tragedies that brought them to this point, instead, she centered on the triumphs. Roy’s rescue, the doctor’s promise for a complete recovery, and Johnny’s safe return. The only thing that would complete the scene would be to see the two of them reunited. Joanne hoped she’d be there to see that. Then again, maybe that was something best left between Roy and Johnny. They’d both been through some kind of hell, and would share that in their own way.

What's more, there were two small children waiting for their mother’s return. Suddenly, Joanne was anxious to get back to Chris and Jennifer. She couldn’t wait to see their faces when she told them their daddy and Uncle Johnny were coming home.

~*~ 

Johnny woke up groggy and disoriented. Because his eyes were still bandaged, he had no way of knowing what time it was or how long he'd been asleep. He'd been in enough hospital beds to know the feel of the mattress and the stiff sheets, but for a moment, he felt lost and unsure of himself, wondering why he was here this time.

He coughed; a dry, hacking sound, his throat sore and irritated. It was a familiar complaint, and the words came unbidden - smoke inhalation. He frowned and he felt the pull of stitches on his forehead. No, he hadn't just eaten too much smoke. And the lost feeling was more than just the sleepy haze of pain medication. He had been lost. He'd been lost for a long time. The memory of his long ordeal with the fire came rushing back. He shifted a bit and the pain in his shoulder only emphasized those returning images.

His sharp intake of breath triggered another bout of coughing. This time he felt a straw at his lips.

"Here, Johnny, take a sip."

He sucked in the soothing water and swallowed gingerly, even as his brows lifted in recognition.

"Joanne? S'at you?" His voice sounded tired to his own ears.

"It certainly is." He didn't have to see her to hear the warm affection in her softly spoken words. She held the water for him to take another drink, then he heard her set it down. "If you need more, just let me know."

"Thanks." For some reason he followed her lead and kept his voice low. It seemed to take less energy to whisper anyway. "I'll be okay. But you should go take care of Roy."

"I think I can handle both of you," Joanne said with a soft laugh. "Besides, he's right here," her voice lowered a notch further, "sound asleep."

Johnny was drowsy from his medication, but he could still hear the weariness that colored Joanne's happy words. He could only imagine what she'd had to go through while Roy was among the missing, and it tore at him that he hadn't been able to save her from it. But his sense of guilt was overshadowed by the sheer relief at knowing his partner was not only safe, but in the same room with him. Johnny tried to lift his head to see, forgetting not only his bandaged eyes, but his harnessed shoulder. His hissed in pain.

"Johnny, be careful," Joanne admonished, and when he felt her gentle pressure on his good shoulder he allowed himself to sink back to his pillow, his strength spent.

"You sure he's okay?" he asked, ignoring her concern. "Cap said he was, but I jus'..."

"He's going to be fine," Joanne assured him. "His doctor is very pleased with his recovery. Of course, he's going to get better a lot faster now that he knows you're okay."

Johnny felt the flush of embarrassment and was glad he couldn't see Joanne's face. "Yeah, I guess I really screwed up big time."

"Johnny... that's not what I meant," Joanne quickly corrected him. He heard her sigh and it sounded sad. "You can't think any of this is your fault."

Johnny breathed out a sigh that echoed Joanne's. "I just feel like... like I let you down, Joanne."

"And just how did you do that?"

"I promised you I'd look out for him... and I sure didn't do a very good job of it."

Joanne was silent a moment, but Johnny felt her hand leave his shoulder then pick up his hand and give it a squeeze.

"Between you and Roy, I don't know who has the corner on the guilt market," she stated with a degree of exasperation that made Johnny smile wanly. "The only thing I care about is that both of you are alive and going to be okay. I don't want you to start blaming yourself for the choices you made."

When she spoke in that tone, Johnny knew better than to argue. Besides, he was too tired at the moment to debate the issue. His eyes felt heavy under the bandages.

"Hey, Jo?"

"Yes?"

"What time'sit?"

"It's nearly one."

"Oh... at night?"

He heard her chuckle. "Yes. At night. Why don't you try to get some sleep."

He grinned tiredly. "Don't hafta’ try very hard."

"Good night, Johnny."

~*~

When Roy opened his eyes, he realized two things. The patch had been removed, he could actually open both eyes, and he could see rain drops splattering fatly against the window. Now, for the first time in days, hope was on the side of the men battling the fire. With the change in the weather, they would at last have a chance to contain the blaze. Roy had been on enough fire lines to know the mood of the crews would be one hundred percent improved from just a few hours ago. It was amazing what a difference a little time could make - time and good news.

He turned his head and smiled at the sight of his partner asleep in the next bed. For the briefest of moments, Roy had been afraid it was all a dream and Johnny hadn't really been brought into his new room late last night; banged up like Cap had said, and doped into dreamland, but definitely alive. It was a relief to see his partner in the light of day, a solid reality.

The door to their room opened and an orderly came in carrying two breakfast trays. He set one down on each rolling beside table, pushed the tables into place, then left with a smile. Roy hadn't eaten much since his surgery, and nothing at all while he was lying helpless in the Ojai hills. His stomach growled noisily at the prospect of a real meal as he pushed the button to raise the head of his bed. He reached to take the cover off his tray, revealing scrambled eggs, toast, a small bowl of Cream of Wheat, juice and coffee. All rather bland in keeping with his recovery from surgery, but at the moment he didn't care.

He glanced over at Johnny, who still hadn't stirred, and debated trying to wake his friend up or let him be and have him face a cold breakfast. One thing Roy knew about hospital food, it was always better to eat it hot. The orderly should have stuck around to make sure Johnny was aware his meal was here.

And then there was the fact that Johnny's eyes were still bandaged. Roy had been concerned about them when his partner was first wheeled in, but both Joanne and Cap had assured him that it was only a precaution, and that so far the ophthalmologist wasn't worried about any serious damage to Johnny's eyes. But, regardless of why the bandages were there, it still meant Johnny would need help eating his breakfast, and despite the fact that Roy felt better than he did yesterday, just trying to maneuver himself to a more upright position left him breathless and wincing. He knew he wasn't in any shape yet to be the one offering Johnny that assistance.

Determined to get someone in here to help, Roy fumbled for a moment along the side of his bed, looking for the call button. But just as he'd found it, he heard Johnny's hoarse voice.

"I sure hope my breakfast tastes better'n yours smells," he grumbled sleepily.

"Dream on," Roy laughed. He let the device drop to his side as he saw Johnny push himself gingerly to a sitting position. By the grimace on his face and the quiet sibilant sounds Roy could hear, Johnny was feeling every bit as battered as he looked. But when he'd finally gotten himself situated, there was a smile on his face.

"It's good to see ya’, Pally," Johnny stated softly, then his smile quirked to one side and he gestured with his good hand to his bandaged eyes. "In a manner of speaking," he chuckled.

"Same here, Junior," Roy replied. There was a lot he wanted to say, but he settled for the comfort he found in the familiar teasing. "You had us worried there for a while. You didn't tell us you were taking the scenic route."

Johnny laughed lightly. "Sorry. I'll be sure and let you know next time I make a change in my itinerary."

Roy's smile grew broader. For a time it was quiet in the room. Roy's thoughts were filled with a million "what if's." All of them possibilities he was glad neither of them would have to live with. Though he couldn't speak for Johnny, Roy knew his partner well enough to be certain the younger man's mind was mulling over those same scenarios.

Finally, needing to break the silence, Roy picked up his fork.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He scooped up a mouthful of eggs.

"You'd have to be to want to eat this stuff," Johnny groused good naturedly. He reached out a searching hand and found the metal cover that was keeping his food warm. As he lifted it, he sniffed tentatively, then broke into a big grin. "At least I get bacon," he gloated.

Roy watched as Johnny's fingers moved over the edge of the plate until he found the bacon, then he picked it up and took a big bite. If Roy could have seen his partner's eyes, he knew they'd be twinkling in triumph. But the moment was spoiled as Roy watched Johnny pick up his fork and then hesitate.

"I'm gonna call somebody to give ya’ a hand," Roy announced firmly, knowing he was going to get an argument.

"Aw, Roy, don't do that," Johnny complained sourly. "You know I'll get some army sergeant of a nurse who'll make me eat with a spoon and..."

"What makes you say that?" Roy interrupted with a laugh.

Johnny heaved a long suffering sigh. "That just the way my luck runs," he admitted ruefully. "It's like this, Roy." Johnny used his fork to emphasize his point. "When I came in yesterday, there was this really gorgeous nurse... dark, curly hair, beautiful blue eyes."

"Since when did you develop X-Ray vision?" Roy teased.

Johnny paused and Roy knew he was being given a look of disgust. "Very, funny. They didn't put the pads on my eyes 'til after I was here. Anyway, this nurse was there and she was incredible. But with my luck, there's no way I'll ever even see her again, let alone have her be the one to come up here and feed me my breakfast. But it doesn't matter." He stabbed at his plate a couple of times and came up with a small morsel of egg. "See? I'll manage just fine."

Roy refrained from pointing out the larger bits that Johnny had knocked off his plate. Instead he watched his partner struggle for a few moments, trying hard not to laugh at Johnny's predicament. In other circumstances, Roy might have felt sorry for his friend's situation. But since only a few hours ago Roy had resigned himself to the fact that Johnny had died, sitting here watching the younger man juggle bites of scrambled egg was actually kind of funny.

But finally, afraid Johnny might starve before he ever got enough food in his mouth, Roy decided he had to intervene.

"Johnny, listen to me. You trust me, right?"

"Sure, Roy," Johnny answered, cocking his head in Roy's direction. "You don't even have to ask me that."

"Well, then let me have somebody come in and help you eat. I promise you it won't be an old battleaxe."

Johnny sat back and blew out a tired sigh. Roy could tell that just the short amount of time he'd tried to feed himself had been an effort for the injured man. Even though part of his face was covered, Roy could tell Johnny was thinking things over.

Roy continued with his own breakfast, allowing Johnny the time he needed to admit his own limitations. As he took a drink of coffee, his eyes moved to the door. His eyebrows lifted in surprise when he saw they had visitors. Taken with a sudden inspiration, Roy held up his hand to keep the newcomers from voicing their greetings. He merely waved them inside, trying not to laugh at the puzzled looks on their faces. He turned back to Johnny.

"Well?" he prompted. "Whaddya say?"

Johnny heaved another sigh, this one of resignation. "All right. I guess I'm hungry enough to take a chance."

Roy grinned widely. "Atta’ boy, Junior. I think I can even arrange dark curly hair and blue eyes."

"Really?" Johnny's voice grew expectant.

"Really," Roy answered. "In fact, your help is here now." He motioned toward Johnny.

Chet Kelly walked over and took a seat beside the bed, grinning from ear to ear. It hadn't taken him long to figure out the joke and he threw himself into it wholeheartedly. He picked up the fork Johnny had abandoned and scooped up a decent mouthful of egg.

"Here ya’ go, Mr. Gage."

Roy nearly choked at the not too bad falsetto Chet managed. Johnny only hesitated a moment, before he dutifully opened his mouth and allowed Chet to feed him. Closer to the door, Marco and Mike were struggling to keep from laughing out loud and ruining the whole set up.

While he ate, Johnny did his best to flirt with his "nurse," but Chet couldn't say much or he'd blow it. He did manage a few "uh huh's" and "hmmm's." Just enough to egg Johnny on further.

Roy only planned to let it go on long enough for Johnny to get a decent amount of his breakfast finished. But when Johnny came out and asked Chet for his phone number, Kelly couldn't keep in character anymore.

"Gee, I don't know, Gage," he said in his normal voice. "I don't give out my number to just anybody."

Johnny's mouth actually dropped open for long moment, his surprise obvious. Then he clamped it shut indignantly and turned to face Roy.

"Aw, maaaan, Roy! I thought you were my friend." The rawness of his throat made his voice squeak.

Roy couldn't stop his laughter, even though it wasn't doing his ribs any good. He held onto his sides and grimaced as he continued to laugh.

"Geeze, John," Chet complained in mock hurt. "You're so fickle. First you want my number, then you don't. You're such a heart breaker."

"Oh, go climb a tree, Chet," Johnny retorted grumpily. "I knew it was you anyway."

His statement was greeted with a chorus of "no's" and "no way's," as Mike and Marco joined the fray.

"Face it, Gage," Chet said when some of the noise had died down. "This just shows that even Roy knows how gullible you are."

"No way, man. You must've put him up to it, Kelly. You took advantage of his weakened condition..."

Roy listened as Johnny rambled on and then Chet countered back as if no time had passed since they'd left this debate hanging the last time. To a stranger walking into the room, it might appear that the two men didn't like each other, but Roy knew better and reveled in the sheer normalcy of the unending one upmanship.

It only showed how really tired Johnny was that the exchange wound down as quickly as it did. After a time, the men settled into quiet chatting. Cap had called them last night after Johnny was found, and the three decided to come up early this morning to see for themselves that both their co-workers were okay. Though it wasn't technically visiting hours yet, they'd managed to get into the room without anyone bothering them.

"It wasn't too bad of a drive until it started raining," Marco complained. "Chet's van doesn't do too well on wet roads."

"It might help if he fell off his wallet and bought new tires," Mike added wryly.

"Hey," Chet protested. "I got us here, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but I think I'll ride back with Cap," Mike answered with a sly grin.

"Wait a minute," Johnny interrupted hoarsely. "You mean to tell me it's raining?"

"Yeah," Chet answered. "Pretty damn hard too."

"Well, that figures," the paramedic snorted in disgust

"What does?" Roy asked.

"That it waits until now to rain. Didn't I tell you how my luck runs."

Roy merely smiled. To his way of thinking, Johnny was one of the luckiest men alive. 

~*~

Four days after Roy and Johnny’s shiftmates paid them a visit, the paramedics were released from the hospital.  Joanne drove to Ojai to pick the men up.  She’d debated whether or not to bring the children along, versus leaving them with her mother-in-law, or with Theresa, but in the end Chris and Jennifer traveled with their mother.  Joanne decided she wanted company, even if that meant breaking up a few arguments as she drove, and the kids were so anxious to see their dad that Joanne hated to delay the reunion.

Joanne hadn’t gone into great detail when she told the children their father had been injured. Because of their young ages, there was no need to reveal that Roy was initially misidentified as Johnny, and that Johnny had still been missing when she and Captain Stanley had arrived at Ojai. 

“Daddy has a bad bump on his head, a bandage on his left wrist, another one on his elbow, and his ribs are hurt, but he’ll be all better in a couple of weeks.  Uncle Johnny’s wearing a sling on his left arm because he hurt his shoulder, and his eyes were bandaged the last time I saw him, but the doctor says he’ll be fine too.”

Joanne’s calm, matter-of-fact explanation kept any fears the children might have had at bay.  Chris was more interested in finding out how his dad and Uncle Johnny had been hurt.  He was certain they’d been doing something heroic, while Jennifer just wanted her daddy to come home as soon as possible.

As Joanne pulled into the hospital’s parking lot, she reminded the kids not to run and jump on either Roy or Johnny. 

“Remember, you have to be gentle around Daddy and Uncle Johnny until the doctor says they’re all better.”

Chris snorted at the word ‘gentle’ in relation to his father and John Gage, but when his mother gave him a warning glare, he quickly nodded.

“Yeah, I know. You already told us.”

When Joanne pushed open the door of the room Johnny and Roy were sharing, the paramedics were waiting for her.  The men were dressed in the uniform trousers and blue t-shirts Hank Stanley had retrieved from the locker they’d used at Ojai’s high school.  He’d cleaned out their personal effects too, and Joanne had taken home anything they didn’t have need for at the hospital. 

Johnny’s eye patches were gone, though his sling was still in place, like Joanne expected it to be.  Roy had no visible signs of injury other than the Ace bandages supporting his still tender wrist and elbow, but to his wife’s eyes he looked tired and a bit pale.  The kids rushed for their dad, while Roy gingerly bent to hug them and kiss their cheeks. 

“Careful, careful now,” Joanne admonished as she hovered nearby.  Johnny smiled as he watched the reunion, then smiled even broader when he was the next person the kids hugged.

Chris looked up as the man straightened to his full height.  “You and dad are heroes, uh, Uncle Johnny.”

“What makes you say that, sport?”

“Well, you got hurt fightin’ the fire, and I bet it was cuz you were savin’ somebody’s life, or somebody’s house, or somebody’s dog, or somebody’s…”

Johnny chuckled and ruffled Chris’s hair.  “We’re not heroes, Christopher.  The most you can say is that we were just doin’ our jobs.”

“But only heroes do the kind of jobs you and Dad do.”

Johnny thought of Pete Peterson.  He supposed to at least some degree, Chris was right.

Johnny winked at the boy. “There’ve been a lot of heroes fighting this fire, Chris.  Don’t give me and your dad all the credit.”

“No, don’t do that,” Roy said. He placed an arm around Chris’s shoulders, and took Jennifer by the hand.  Because of Roy’s injured ribs, Joanne carried his duffle bag, while Johnny was able to sling his over his good shoulder. 

Because of the heavy rains that had assaulted the area during mid-week, the fire was now ninety-percent contained.  As they walked to Joanne’s car, the paramedics looked toward the blackened hills where they’d been injured.  It was hard to believe that just a week ago, almost every square mile of those hills were on fire. 

Jennifer held up her hands and gazed at the hazy sky.  “It’s not snowing any more.”

Neither Johnny nor Roy understood what Joanne meant when she smiled at her daughter and said, “No, honey, it’s not, and for that, Mommy’s very thankful.”

Before Roy had a chance to ask what his wife and daughter were talking about, Joanne urged everyone into the car.  Johnny put the duffle bags in the trunk, then did as the kids insisted and sat between them in the back seat, while Roy sat next to his wife in the passenger seat.

The ride to Carson passed quickly. Or maybe it just seemed to pass quickly to Joanne, since Johnny kept the kids entertained, meaning she didn’t have to break up any squabbles.  Johnny treated everyone to lunch at McDonald’s, then Joanne headed to his apartment building. 

Chris got out of the car so Johnny could exit, and then climbed back in.  Joanne climbed out of the vehicle as well, to open the trunk for Johnny.  The man grabbed his duffle bag and walked around to the open front passenger window.  He bent down and briefly looked back at the kids.  Jennifer was curled up in the far corner, sound asleep, and Chris, who was seated behind Roy, was shuffling through a pack of baseball cards he’d brought along.

“See ya’ later, sport.”

The paramedic got a distracted, “See ya’, Uncle Johnny,” as Chris read the stats on the back of a Pete Rose card.

Johnny turned his attention to Roy.  “I’ll be talkin’ to you.”

“Yeah. Call if you need anything.  Otherwise, stop over as soon as Brackett says you can drive.”

Johnny looked down at his sling.  “Who says I’m waitin’ for Brackett’s permission?  I’m gonna call Chet in a little while and see if he can take me to headquarters.  I wanna get the Rover outta their parking lot before some idiot has it towed.”

Roy shook his head and laughed.  Leave it to Johnny to do exactly what Doctor Jepson had told him not to – drive before undergoing an examination by his own physician.   Considering Johnny hadn’t suffered a head injury, and considering his eyesight was back to normal, Roy knew no harm would be done.  Nonetheless, he cautioned, “You’re better not let Brackett find that out.”

Johnny grinned. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“As usual, I figure it’s safest not to reveal that I know what you’re up to.”

“You’re right. That is safest.”

Johnny gave his friend a final, “See ya’ later,” and walked around the car.  Joanne stood by the driver’s door shaking her finger at him, but she refrained from scolding the man for what she’d overheard.  Instead, she accepted his kiss on the cheek and his, “Thanks for everything, Jo.”  In return, Joanne gently hugged the paramedic, being mindful of his injured shoulder, and said softly, “Thanks for taking care of Roy, and for working so hard to get help for him.”

Johnny pulled back, frowning. “But I didn’t get help. I--”

The woman briefly placed a finger against his lips to silence him.  “You tried, Johnny.  The important thing is you tried. Right up until the moment you were found, you continued trying.  No matter how bad things got, you never gave up.  If it had turned out differently…if Roy had…well, no matter what happened, the kids and I would have been grateful for all you did.”

Johnny wasn’t sure how to respond.  He supposed Joanne was right, and in the end, all that really mattered was that both he and Roy had returned safely.  There had been other men who weren’t as fortunate.

The paramedic smiled. “Thanks, Jo. You always know how to put things in perspective for me.”

“It comes from years of practice. I started putting things in perspective for the guy I married while we were still on our honeymoon.”

Johnny laughed.  “I just bet you did.”

The man watched as Joanne got in the car.  With his right hand still wrapped around the ties of his duffle bag, Johnny did his best to wave back at Chris, who was on his knees and looking out the rear window.  When the vehicle had safely melded into traffic on the highway, Johnny turned and headed for his building’s main entrance.

~*~

As usual, Johnny could hear the television blaring through the closed door of the Glenbrooks’ apartment.  He’d gone to his own apartment first to put his duffle bag in his bedroom, and turn on the air conditioner.  The small apartment was stifling hot, but it usually cooled quickly.  Johnny figured by the time he got away from Edna and Harold, his home would be at a comfortable temperature.

Johnny pounded on the door three times before it finally opened.  Edna didn’t bother with a verbal greeting when she saw him.  She wrapped her plump arms around his waist and squeezed.

“Oh, Johnny, it’s so good to see you.  We’re so happy you’re okay.”

Johnny chuckled and hugged the woman in return.  “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Mrs. Glenbrook released the man and stepped back.  “Mrs. DeSoto called and told me what happened.”

“Yeah, I asked her to.  I didn’t want you wondering why I hadn’t been by to pick up my mail.”

“I just knew you were one of the missing men they talked about on T.V.  Every day that passed that you didn’t come home, I was more and more certain of it.”

“Well, I’m back now and I’m fine.”

The woman looked Johnny over with a critical eye – or maybe with a grandmother’s eye would be a better way of putting it.

“You’re too thin, and you’re pale.  You come here for supper tonight.”

“No, no…that’s not necessary.”

“I insist.  You’re having dinner with us.  We eat at six o’clock sharp. It’s the only time I can get Harold to turn off that blasted television.” 

The prospect of eating with Mr. and Mrs. Glenbrook improved greatly once Johnny heard the T.V. wouldn’t be blaring in the background.

“Okay, I’ll be here.”

The woman smiled.  “Good.  I was just getting ready to put a chicken in the oven to roast.  I’ll make stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and homemade rolls.  And pie. We’ll have a peach pie.”

“Don’t go to all that trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all.  I would have made the same things for Harold and I.  Well, maybe not the pie, but that gives me a good excuse to enjoy dessert.”  The woman patted her ample waistline. “My doctor says I should watch my weight.  But at my age, why bother, don’t you think?”

“I think you should do whatever makes you happy,” was Johnny’s diplomatic answer.

“Then peach pie it is, because that’ll make me happy. And I expect it’ll make you and Harold happy, too.”

“You won’t get an argument from me about it.”

“I didn’t think so.”  The woman turned to her husband, who was seated on the couch and oblivious to their visitor. “Harold, Johnny’s back!”

The man’s eyes never moved from the Have Gun, Will Travel rerun he was watching.

“Harold, I said Johnny’s here!”

“Beer!  Sure, I’ll take a beer!”

“You know I don’t keep beer in this apartment!  Now turn around!  I said, Johnny’s here!”

The old man turned. When he saw Johnny, he smiled and waved. 

“Hi, Johnny!”

“Hey, Mr. Glenbrook!”

“Edna was worried about ya’, but I told her you’d be fine!”

“I am.”

“Jam?  I don’t know, maybe.  Edna, do you have some jam here for Johnny? You want that on toast or crackers, son?”

“He didn’t say anything about jam, Harold!  He said, “I am!”

“I am what?”

“Fine!  He said he was fine, Harold!”

“Oh…well, ‘course he’s fine!  I told you he would be, didn’t I?  He looks fine to me!  Maybe a little on the skinny side though, and kinda pale. Edna, ask Johnny to eat supper with us!  I think he could use a good meal!”

The woman looked at Johnny.  The two of them laughed, but Harold paid no attention as he returned his attention to his T.V. show.

“I’ll be right back with your mail.” Edna hurried to the kitchen, grabbed the thick bundle of mail from a drawer, and returned to the living room.  “Six o’clock sharp,” she reminded Johnny as she handed his mail to him.

“Got it,” Johnny said. “I’ll be here. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Johnny heard the Glenbrooks’ door close behind him as he crossed the hall to his own apartment.  As he expected, it was a lot cooler than it had been ten minutes earlier.  He leafed through his mail, then picked up the phone and dialed Chet’s number.  Two hours later, the Land Rover was back in its usual spot in the parking lot. 

The paramedic arrived at the Glenbrooks’ promptly at six that evening.  Mrs. Glenbrook was a terrific cook, and Johnny enjoyed himself far more than he’d thought he would, despite the fact that the evening was topped off by watching a T.V. show with Harold. 

Johnny returned to his own apartment at eight thirty, and was in bed an hour later. Even though he could still faintly hear the sound of the Glenbrooks’ television set, the last thought John Gage had before he fell asleep, was how good it felt to finally be home. 

~*~ 

Joanne set the newly refilled lemonade pitcher down on the picnic table, then began gathering up paper plates covered in the remains of cake and ice cream. Today was Johnny's birthday. He, Chet and Marco were triple dating at the bowling alley tonight, so the DeSotos had celebrated with a picnic lunch in the back yard. Jenny had worried a great deal that Johnny would hurt his arm again if he went bowling, and Johnny's answer of, "I don't plan on doin' much bowling," had gone right over her head. But Joanne had caught the gleam in the younger man's eyes and knew he must have a new "girl of the week," as Roy usually called whatever woman had the honor of being Johnny's current object of affection.

Joanne paused for a moment and smiled at the sight of her kids splashing in the blow up pool. Johnny sat in there with them as he'd promised before he'd left for Ojai, though how he folded up his lanky frame into the little pool was beyond Joanne's comprehension. But he seemed to be having as much fun as they were, even though he was still hampered by the harness on his healing shoulder. She chuckled to herself. She didn't know too many single men who could have almost as much fun in a kiddie pool as he would out on a date with a beautiful woman.

Joanne turned around when she heard Chris, Jenny and Johnny suddenly all shout in surprise and protest. Her eyes moved to where Roy was standing on the grass, the garden hose in his hands, spraying the kids and his partner, a delighted smile on his face.

"Daaddeee!" Jenny squealed as the cold water rained down on her.

Johnny ducked his head to avoid getting hit in the face. "Roooy! Where's that hose hooked up to? The North Pole?"

Chris, however, wasn't about to let his father get the best of them. He scooped up a bucket of water and jumped out of the pool, racing after Roy.

"This means war!" Chris declared with a gleeful laugh as he chased Roy around the yard.

"Be careful," Joanne cautioned mildly, not really concerned. It had been nearly two weeks since Roy's surgery and he was pretty much healed. He was scheduled to go back to full duty status in another couple of days.

Johnny would still be desk bound for at least another week or so while he continued rehab on his shoulder. The partners had been pulling light duty at headquarters, and Joanne knew both men were going stir crazy, itching to be back in the field.

She went back into the house and dumped the dirty silverware into the sink then disposed of the paper plates and cups in the trash can, making a note to have Roy empty it later, after Johnny went home. As she turned back to the sink, she heard the doorbell ring.

They weren't expecting anyone, so she was surprised to see Hank Stanley standing at the door. 

~*~

"Hi, Joanne," Hank greeted with a warm smile. "Sorry to intrude on your Saturday. I needed to see Roy and Johnny. Chet told me Johnny would be here this afternoon."

Joanne opened the door wide to let him enter. "Come on in, Hank. The kids are all out back in the pool."

Hank smiled as he caught her reference. He followed her through the house to the patio door. His smile grew wider as he saw his paramedics involved in a game of keep away with the garden hose and Roy's kids. Both men were soaked and so obviously enjoying themselves, that Hank hated to interrupt them. It was good to see them home safe and sound - well, mostly sound now. He wanted to just forget about those couple of days when he wasn't sure if he would ever see them again.

"Roy, Johnny, Hank's here," Joanne called.

Both men glanced up and smiled, a bit sheepishly, Hank thought, for their captain catching them at such childish play, but to the older man, there wasn't a better sight to see. Both kids glanced up as well. Jenny gave him an enthusiastic wave and opened her mouth to greet him, but was interrupted as her brother tipped the hose over the top of her head.

"Hi, Cap'n Stanley!" Chris called out happily, then ran away from a sputtering Jennifer.

"Take it easy, kids," Roy cautioned, then turned to Hank. "Hey, Cap," he called as he walked up to the deck. Johnny was right behind him. "What brings you out here?"

Joanne handed each man a towel, and it was only then that Hank realized she'd disappeared into the house and then come back out with the dry towels. Roy dried his head a bit, then worked on his arms and face. Johnny was struggling with only one good arm, and Joanne moved over to help him drape the towel around his shoulders. He flashed her a grateful grin.

"Why don't you guys sit down," Joanne offered. "Would you like some lemonade, Hank? Or maybe some cake and ice cream?"

"Lemonade sounds great, Joanne," Hank replied. "Thanks." He sat down at the table and accepted the glass she offered. Even though it had rained a couple of days ago, summer had reasserted itself and the day was hot. The cold drink hit the spot.

Joanne moved off to go referee the water fight that was escalating in the yard, leaving the men to talk. Johnny and Roy each sat down opposite their captain. Hank could tell by the looks on their faces that they were curious about his visit, with more than a little apprehension in their eyes, so he took pity on them and smiled reassuringly.

"I just wanted to share a letter I got with you two. It's from Chief Smitz."

He saw the paramedics exchange a look he didn't quite understand, but he didn't comment. He'd already figured out by what was in the letter that his men hadn't been exactly welcomed with open arms upon their arrival in Ojai.

Hank pulled the letter out of his pocket and handed it to Roy. He watched a moment as the man opened it slowly. Johnny leaned forward, trying to read over Roy's shoulder.

"This is really only to let me know he was writing officially to the Brass," Hank explained as both men's eyes moved over the small handwriting. "What it all comes down to is that Chief Smitz feels you two put on quite a show up there."

"Yeah," Johnny snorted with disdain, "a regular three ring circus."

Roy smiled wryly in a way that let Hank know he agreed with his partner's assessment.

"Well, you two may not think you did much up there, but apparently the Chief here was pretty impressed. Wants you to know he's sorry for being such a hard nose at the beginning, and he's letting headquarters know how pleased he was with your performance." Hank took another drink of his lemonade. "Looks like you guys may just get a commendation out of this."

"Cap..." Roy began slowly. He looked at the letter again and shook his head. He was definitely uncomfortable with the news. "Cap..." he started again, "all I did was fall on my butt. If anybody gets a commendation, Johnny should, but I didn't do..."

"Hey," his partner protested immediately. "I didn't do anything either. I was just wandering around with my head up my..." He paused, and gave Hank a weak smile. "Well, you get the picture."

Hank sighed at their shortsightedness. But he supposed that was to their credit. Neither man was one to go around thinking they were doing more than just their job. But there were times when a man needed to be reminded of his worth, and it seemed Hank was going to have to spell things out.

"I don't think Chief Smitz is talking about you getting lost and injured. We all know wildfires like that are a bitch and things like that happen... to rookies, and to twenty-year veterans. So don't beat yourselves up over it. Just be glad of the outcome."

All three men were quiet a moment. Hank's thoughts were on the men who died in the blaze, and he figured Roy and John's were too. They'd actually met the men, after all, and John had been the unfortunate person who found the bodies.

"Anyway," Hank went on after a time, "Chief Smitz is talking about the days you worked before the blowup. He says you saved some kids from a bus accident."

Now the looks on his paramedics’ faces were ones Hank had seen before and could deal with. The self-consciousness of being praised for work they took in stride and considered just part of the job. He smiled knowingly.

"You did good, guys. You did what the department wanted you to. Convinced this guy to back the paramedic program in Ventura County. So take the kudos that go along with a job well done, and chalk the rest up to firefighter's luck."

He stood up, downed the rest of his lemonade, then reached out to shake each man's hand. "I look forward to having you back to work." He made a distasteful face. "Two weeks of Brice is more than even I can handle."

He walked into the house to let himself out, the laughter that followed him the best sound he'd heard in quite a while.

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