Title: This is Your Life, Roy DeSoto – Pt. 1
By: FanofRandy
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I make no profit from my imagination—only a personal joy and peace.
Summary: While trapped in a building collapse, Roy harkens back to a Radio/TV series as his life "flashes before his eyes." (Circa Season 5) Not your typical "cross-over".
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It was a beautiful Southern California morning as Roy DeSoto drove into the lot behind Station 51. He had been off for two days and was glad to be back at work after tackling some pretty major "honey-do" chores. He had cleaned the garage, cleaned the screens and weatherproofed the deck. Roy felt that he would get more rest in the next 24 hours, on shift, than he had over the weekend.
As he was getting out of his car, he heard another vehicle pull in. He did not even have to turn to know it was John Gage's Rover. He had not seen his Partner since their last shift. Johnny had gone camping over the weekend, while Roy spent time with his family and the chore list. He envied Johnny sometimes; being single and care-free. But, he loved his family and would not trade them for the world.
"Hey, Junior," Roy called to John as he stepped out of the Rover, "How was campin'?"
"It was GREAT, Roy. Got some fish in the cooler for dinner tonight, if anyone's up to cleaning them. If not, I thought you could take 'em home for JoAnne to cook up." Johnny offered.
"Sounds great. Sure did miss you this weekend." Roy commented as they walked into the back door of the station and into the Day Room.
They were immediately greeted by the C-Shift Crew and Marco and Mike who had already dressed for their shift. As they said their hello's, they continued walking to the Locker Rooms. "Sure you missed me, Pally. What chores did you have to do?" Johnny teased.
"Don't ask, Junior. Don't ask." He half-laughed out.
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The morning flew by quickly. Chore assignments were distributed and Marco and Mike said they would team up on Dinner to cook the fish Johnny caught. Roy and Johnny had a few minor runs, none of which needed follow-up to Rampart. Right before lunch, they asked Cap if they could make a supply run to Rampart. "As long as the chores are done, it's fine with me. You gonna be back for lunch?"
"Sure, Cap." Both men said in unison. Johnny jumped into the cab of the Squad.
"LA-Squad 51, 10-8 to Rampart." Johnny said into the radio.
"10-4, Squad 51. LA." Came the soothing voice of dispatcher, Sam Lanier.
After a few quiet moments, Johnny broke the silence. "So, what all did you do this weekend, Pally?" He was fidgeting in his seat and, like a child, could not sit still.
Roy glanced at his partner and regarded him for a moment, "We all have our crosses to bear." He thought to himself and allowed a smile to span his face as he thought of how Johnny seemed to never be able to sit still or stay quiet for very long. "Well, Junior, I got the garage cleaned and put a new coat of weatherproof on the deck."
Johnny gasped. "You did all that in two days?"
"Three…you forgot the day we got off duty. I started as soon as I got up from my nap. It was a long weekend, so I knew that I could fit it all in. The kids helped out a bit, too. Chris was at a sleepover at a friend's house one of the nights, so Jenny and I just watched T.V."
"What did you watch, Roy?" Johnny seemed interested.
"This is Your Life. It was about Roy Rogers. They had this guy come out from the audience…some guy from South Dakota or somewhere…well, the voice came and he had to guess who it was; you know how it goes? The guy was a minister and it was someone he had performed the wedding ceremony. Turns out, it was Roy Rogers. BUT, the twist was that it was all a put-on to get Roy Rogers on the show to do HIS LIFE." Roy told the story.
"Did they have Trigger on?" Johnny asked, almost as excited as Jenny had been watching the show with her dad.
"Of course, and a few people, too. It was pretty good. I like that show." Roy admitted. They paused their conversation as they pulled into Rampart's parking lot. There was an ambulance and a Squad in the Emergency Bay, so they parked off to the side and entered the double doors. Johnny had continued asking questions about Trigger when they encountered Dixie McCall.
"Hey, Dix." Roy greeted.
"Hey guys, what brings you here? You in need of some supplies?" Dixie countered.
"Yes, we have a list. Uh, Roy, what happened next?" Johnny asked dividing his attention between Roy and Dixie.
"What is he talking about, Roy?" Dixie asked the man.
"Oh, I was just telling Johnny about an episode of This Is Your Life that I was watching the other night with Jenny while JoAnne and Chris were gone. It was a repeat of the one with Roy Rogers. I think it originally aired when I was about four years old. I told Jenny how I was named for Roy Rogers, well kinda." Roy shared.
"What does 'kinda' mean, Roy?" Dix queried.
"Well, my mom and dad saw the movie, Under California Stars in 1948. Roy Rogers played himself and after that movie, my dad got real jealous of the way she was mooning over Roy Rogers. So, when I was born, Mom couldn't tell Dad that she was naming me Roy after Roy Rogers, so she told him that I was named for Roy Campanella, a baseball player my dad liked. Campanella was one of the first black men to get into Major League Baseball. Did you know that?"
Dixie shook her head while Johnny nodded his. "Yeah, Pally, only the 100th time you have told this story." Johnny joked.
"Well, John, I haven't heard it and it's pretty interesting. Go on, Roy." Dixie urged.
"What? Oh, well, that's all really. My dad died in Korea and my mom married a few years later and my step-dad adopted me and that's how I got the last name DeSoto." Roy continued, but became a bit melancholy. Johnny noticed his partner's pallor and changed the subject.
"We need to get these supplies, Dix. We've got to get going so we can get back in time for lunch." Johnny moved the conversation on to another topic. And, Johnny's favorite topic, besides girls, was food. He had missed breakfast and he was hungry!
"Okay, Johnny. Follow me and let's get your supplies." Dixie led the way to the supply desk.
Johnny gave Dixie the list and glanced at his partner. Roy was lost in thought when the HT suddenly startled him back to reality. "Station 51, respond with Station 38 and Station 55 to a structure fire on 556 Stillman Boulevard, 5-5-6 Stillman Boulevard, cross street 15th, Time out 11:32."
"Squad 51 responding from Rampart." Roy called into the radio. He and Johnny grabbed the boxes of supplies and rushed to the Squad.
"See ya, Dix." Johnny called out as they ran down the hall.
She waved and smiled as they left. She quietly prayed for their safety as she knew that every time they were called away, it could mean life or death.
"Guess we're not gonna get lunch." Johnny groaned to his partner as they jumped into the Squad.
TBC