What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (Chapter one)
Author's Notes: In this story, Dixie McCall took the Nursing Supervisor's job that she had been offered. The story takes place in the late 1970's…Roy and Johnny hadn't yet taken a promotion to captain.
With the calendar saying February, it was a week before Valentine's Day. Arriving at the station on a Monday morning, Johnny entered the locker room in great spirits.
"Good morning, Roy. A beautiful morning, isn't it?"
Roy observed Johnny for a few moments, marveling at the junior paramedic's great mood.
"What have you done with my partner?" Roy asked, still surprised at Johnny's rather upbeat mood.
When he was met by only a big grin, Roy whistled.
"Boy…you must've had yourself quite a weekend. Could it be a girl that is responsible for your good mood?"
"What makes you say that?" replied Johnny with a mysterious grin plastered on his face.
"Let's just say I know your track record, Johnny. Anyone I know?"
The junior medic shook his head. "I'm not going to discuss it."
"Now? Here? Or with me?"
"Now…here…OR with you, Roy…my lips are sealed."
"She must really be some lady."
Still wearing the same grin, Johnny momentarily forgot that he had told his partner that his lips were sealed. "She sure is. She's smart, fun, and attractive. I'm a new man, my friend. Why are you so interested in my love life, anyway?"
"Because when you're happy…it makes the shift easier to get through…for ME, and for everyone else. Besides, I know how much you love kids. And in order for that to happen, you need to find a nice girl to settle down with and marry."
"Hey…wait a minute. Who said anything about marriage or fatherhood?"
Coming into the locker room, Chet heard the last thing out of Johnny's mouth, and jumped to conclusions.
"Fatherhood? Johnny, what did you do?"
Rolling his eyes at the Irishman, Johnny sighed loudly and shook his head.
"As usual Chet, you came in on the end of a conversation. Anyway, we were talking about marriage and fatherhood. I was about to say that I love your kids, Roy…but the beauty of it is that after I spend time with them, I can go home to the peace and quiet of my own place."
"How about you. Chet?"
"How about me what, Roy?" Chet repeated with some confusion.
"What's your take on marriage and fatherhood?"
"Marriage and fatherhood? They are both wonderful things…for someone else. Me, I like my freedom too much. I echo Johnny's sentiments. I enjoy spending time with my own nieces and nephews…but yeah, then I can go home to my apartment, and know that I have the freedom to do whatever I want to."
The three men finished changing for the start of their shift, and then went out to the squad room, where they joined Mike, Marco, and Captain Stanley who were already sitting at the table.
"Good morning, Cap. How's the best captain in the department doing today?"
Hank looked suspiciously at Roy. "Uh, what's with your partner?"
"Just go with it, Cap. Apparently he had a great weekend." Roy then turned his head and winked at Johnny.
After roll call, and the usual announcements and chore assignments, the two paramedics were in the bay area, checking their supplies, and the squad.
"Someone at Rampart?"
"I'm not going to answer that, Roy."
"That new nurse on the fourth floor?"
"Vickie? No…nice girl, but not my type."
"Ashley…Staci…Kristy…Karen?"
"No…no…no…and no. Look, you'll find out eventually. I just want to keep it low key and so does she. And…should this thing really work out…everyone will know about it. You're really scaring me, Roy…you're acting like me."
"It couldn't possibly be someone at another hospital…could it?"
Johnny shot his partner a slightly irritated glance. "Just drop it…please."
In the middle of their conversation, the alarm went off.
"Squad 51…woman injured…4625 Aston Street…cross street Cooper."
Since Roy had been the closest to the radio, he jumped up and responded on the microphone.
"Squad 51 responding, KMG-365."
When they arrived at the address, a modest white house with green shutters, they were met by the police officer on scene.
"What do we have, Andy?" Roy asked as he and Johnny started to pull out various pieces of equipment from the squad.
"Doesn't seem too serious, Roy…a woman who hurt her foot. She's downstairs."
With their equipment in tow, the two paramedics followed the officer inside, and down to where their victim was.
Johnny squatted down and smiled as he got to the young lady…a very pretty brunette.
"Hi there. I'm John Gage and this is my partner Roy DeSoto. What's your name?"
"Lisa…Lisa Davidson," she replied in some discomfort.
"What seems to be the problem, Lisa?"
"Well…I started to do my morning workout. As you can see, I have this big heavy punching bag here…well, I went to kick the bag, and hurt my ankle. It really hurts."
"Okay, just try to relax…we'll take good care of you."
Roy gently examined Lisa's foot and ankle. "I'm sorry to say, but I think it's broken. We're going to have to take you to Rampart to get it checked out."
"Damn…damn…damn. I'm in my best friend's wedding in two weeks…I'm her maid of honor. If it's broken…I'm going to look absolutely ridiculous up there in the church."
"Sorry 'bout that."
Roy got on the bio-phone to Rampart. Once they reported their patient's injury and vitals, they were able to splint up her leg, and ready her for transport.
When the ambulance attendants came into the house, Andy met them and led them down to where Lisa was.
Once she was on the stretcher and outside, Johnny smiled warmly at her.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm alright…just feel stupid."
"There's nothing to feel stupid about…these kinds of things happen all the time. Roy, I'll go with her."
"Okay, see you at Rampart."
At the hospital, after helping to get Lisa all settled in the treatment room, Johnny again smiled at her.
"Just try to relax…you're in good hands."
Lisa returned Johnny's smile with an appreciative one of her own. "Thank you."
Walking over to the base station, he met Anna, a popular nurse who had taken over Dixie's position as Head ER Nurse, upon her promotion to Nursing Supervisor, several years earlier.
"Coffee, Johnny?"
The paramedic smiled at the attractive brunette. "Yes, please," then added very softly, "when Roy gets here, you're going to get an earful."
"Don't worry, he won't hear anything from me." After winking, she added, "It's going to be hard…I don't know how long we can keep this a secret."
"We're going to have to use some self-restraint," Johnny replied softly.
When Roy finally arrived, she offered him coffee. "Coffee, Roy?"
"No thanks, Anna. Did you hear the latest?"
"Latest what?" Anna asked, playing dumb.
"My partner here has got himself quite a girl, apparently."
"Really? Why Johnny, how come you didn't tell me?" asked Anna, continuing the charade.
"Just trying to keep it quiet for a while…it's no big deal. Roy is just trying to make it into one."
"Well…all I can say is…she must really be something. He hasn't stopped smiling yet, and he's got that very dangerous gleam in those brown eyes of his."
"Johnny?" Anna looked over at him questioningly.
"As I said, Anna…I'm not really at liberty to discuss it at this point in time, but when I am…you'll be one of the first ones to know, okay?"
Anna stood there smiling. "It's very convenient, don't you think? A new love interest, right before Valentine's Day?"
Not wanting to elaborate any further, Johnny lifted up the radio that he had in his hand. "Squad 51 available at Rampart."
"Ten-four, 51."
"Well…we'll see ya later, Anna," Roy replied casually.
Johnny and Anna exchanged knowing looks, and then the paramedic went to follow his partner back to the squad.
In the squad, while Roy was driving, Johnny sat staring out his window…thinking about his recent glorious weekend.
On Friday morning, Johnny and Anna had run into each other at the supermarket. After a long conversation, Anna invited Johnny over to her place for dinner. Johnny agreed to come over, and the two of them had a lovely meal. After a few drinks out on her deck, they planned a day out for the next day…Saturday. They spent the day in the mountains, hiking and going for a picnic. When their day out ended, they each returned to their respective homes to shower and change, with Johnny agreeing to meet Anna back at her house.
Johnny took Anna out to dinner at a quiet little Italian place on the beach, and after dinner, they went for a walk on the beach. Holding hands, they had continued to have good conversation. Whether it was the stars, the moon, or the sea air, they suddenly stopped and without thinking, kissed…a very passionate kiss. When they returned home, with neither one of them wanting the night to end, Anna took a leap of faith, and invited Johnny to stay the night…he accepted.
After spending all day Sunday together, talking and playing board games…Anna beat him at both Monopoly and Scrabble, they finally said good-bye to each other. And after another very passionate kiss, Johnny returned home, unable to get Anna off of his mind…and the feeling was definitely mutual.
"Earth to Johnny…come in, Johnny."
Johnny looked over at his partner blankly.
"I'm sorry…did you say something, Roy?"
"Oh brother…are you in trouble, partner. You got it bad."
"What are you talking about?" came Johnny's reply.
"I've never seen you this excited about a girl before, Johnny. If I didn't know better…I'd say that this is the one."
"Huh? Look…I like her a lot, but I never said anything about marriage."
Johnny was starting to get a little flustered. He knew in the past that he did tend to be a bit out there with the information that he had shared about his relationships, but this relationship was different…and Anna was not the same typical girl that Johnny had dated in the past.
"Deny…deny…deny."
When they returned to the station, they were met by Captain Stanley.
"Hi fellas. Guess what just arrived?"
Roy shrugged his shoulders and looked questioningly at his captain.
"I give up. What?"
"The incident reports," Hank said dryly.
"Yeah? What does that mean to me…or me and Johnny?"
"Well…guess whose turn it is to work on them?"
"Johnny's?" The senior medic asked hopefully.
Johnny shook his head. "No, not me…I did them two weeks ago. I think he's referring to you, good buddy." Johnny then playfully slapped his partner on the back. "That's what you get for prying."
"My office is all ready for you, Roy."
After Hank walked away to return to the chess game that he had been in the middle of playing with Mike, Johnny turned to face his partner and grinned.
"I'll tell you what, partner…the way I am feeling right now, I'll even help you."
Marco, who had come out to the bay area, looked at Johnny with concern when he had heard the paramedic's offer to his friend.
"You feeling okay, Johnny? The incident reports…you're willing to help do them?"
Chet also appeared in the bay. "Oh, that's right, Marco…you weren't in the locker room this morning when we had quite an interesting discussion about love, marriage, and fatherhood. You see, apparently our superstar paramedic has got himself quite the gal."
"She must really be something, Johnny. You're so giddy with happiness…that you actually agreed to help Roy with the incident reports."
"Come on, Pally…let's get this over with."
Johnny started to pull Roy by his arm in the direction of their captain's office.
When they got to the office and were well into their task, Roy looked up at his partner.
"You're sure you won't tell me who she is?"
"I told you no, Roy. Now stop pestering me, or you're on your own with these things."
They were able to work on the reports without interruption, and after an hour and a half, the two paramedics were out back talking.
Inside, Hank and the rest of the crew were talking amongst themselves.
"I gotta agree with you guys…this must be some lady. I've never seen Johnny so happy or relaxed. Any ideas on who this mystery lady could be?"
Chet shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know, Cap. Roy's been trying to work on that all morning…to no avail. I don't think we're going to get anything out of him this time."
The alarm went off, calling the station, along with other stations, to a structure fire.
Arriving on scene, the crew noted that it was a big office building on fire.
Captain Stanley shouted out orders to his men, as well as the other newly arriving engines.
After a very stressful two hours, the fire was under control. As there were no major injuries, Roy and Johnny were released from the scene.
"Cap, Johnny and I are going to head to Rampart for supplies."
"Okay…see you fellas later."
When the paramedics arrived at the ER, they were greeted by Dr. McGrath…a longtime ER doctor, who along with Brackett and Early, was also a big part of the teaching of the first several paramedic classes.
"Hello there, fellas. Glad to see that you two are still in one piece."
Roy smiled at the doctor. "You ain't kidding, doc. It was a pretty rough one."
"Supplies?" asked Anna nonchalantly.
Johnny smiled and handed her a list. "Yes, please."
"All those people and no serious casualties…that was pretty lucky," commented the doctor.
"Yeah…they sure were."
"I don't mean to be a grouch, but can we just have the supplies. I'm starving and desperately want to take a shower," said Roy in an unusual display of irritation.
"You go wait in the squad, Roy. I'll take care of the supplies."
"Okay…don't take too long."
Johnny tried his best to look innocent. "I'll try not to."
Roy left to go back out to the squad, and Anna continued to work on getting the requested supplies.
"I'm glad you're alright, Johnny."
The paramedic grinned. "That makes two of us." Touching Anna's hand, and speaking very softly, Johnny added, "If we're going to do this…you know all about the risks of the job."
"I know…but it doesn't mean I'm not still going to worry about you. When it comes to you and that partner of yours…I've always been concerned."
"Yeah, I know. Well, I gotta get going…thanks for the supplies…I'll catch you after the next run."
"I'll be here," Anna answered with a knowing smile.
After Johnny returned to the squad and put away the supplies, he got into the cab and looked over at Roy who seemed pretty tired.
"You alright, Roy?"
"I'm fine…just hungry. I hope lunch is ready."
"Yeah, that would be great."
"Hey, I'm sorry to have been a grouch back there. I guess that fire kind of got to me. It could have been really bad."
"I know…and not you, Roy…you're never grouchy."
Roy looked over at his partner and smiled.
"By the way, thanks for helping me with the reports this morning, Johnny."
"Ahh…it was nothing…just helping my best friend," said Johnny with a wave of the hand.
"Tell me, you still happy?"
"Yep."
"You're not going to tell me who she is, are you?"
"No chance." Johnny replied shaking his head, and a twinkle in his eyes.
Their radio went off…"Squad 51, respond with Engine 51, and Engine 58…house fire…435 Greenwood Terrace, cross street Evanston."
Johnny picked up the microphone. "Squad 51, responding."
"So much for lunch and a shower." A bummed out Roy commented.
Arriving on scene, the two paramedics were putting on their turnout gear, as Engine 51 pulled up, with Engine 58 on their heels.
A couple in their 30's met them outside.
"It's just us…no one else is inside. My wife and I are fine…the fire's in the basement."
Captain Stanley and Captain Hillman walked over to the two paramedics.
"Cap, everyone's out…the fire's in the basement."
Hank nodded his head at Roy. Seeing the flames shooting out the windows, he shouted out orders to the men.
All the men, including the two paramedics manned the hoses. After 20 minutes, the fire was extinguished. While on clean up in the basement, there was an explosion which threw Johnny very hard against one of the brick walls, knocking him out.
While Marco and Chet, and 58's two linemen manned the hose, Roy quickly ran over to Johnny and, putting him over his shoulder, carried him out.
When he arrived outside, he was met by an anxious Captain Stanley.
"What happened?"
Carefully putting his partner down on the ground, Roy looked up. "There was an explosion."
Hank quickly got on his radio. "LA, Engine 51…we have a Code I at our location…request ambulance."
Mike Stoker and Engine 58's engineer brought over the equipment from the squad.
While Roy went about checking Johnny's vitals and for possible injuries, Hank got on the phone to Rampart.
"Rampart, this is Squad 51…how do you read?"
"Go ahead, 51," replied the voice of Dr. Early.
"We have a Code I at our location. Victim is currently unconscious…stand by for vitals."
As Roy began to take Johnny's vitals, he started to come to, but was still very groggy.
"That's it…wake up, partner."
Johnny looked up at Roy, but was still very unfocused. "Roy?" he called out softly.
"Yeah, it's me, Junior. Just relax…you're in good hands."
Roy tried to keep his partner calm by taking a stab at a little humor, but was only met by a few groans.
Taking over on the phone, Roy relayed Johnny's vitals.
"Stand by for additional information."
Roy examined the rest of Johnny's body, looking for any other injuries, before getting back on the phone.
"Rampart, head injury suspected, but no other injuries noted. Patient is now conscious but very groggy."
Once Roy received the treatment orders, he set about getting the IV ready.
"Johnny, I'm going to insert the IV, now…just try to relax."
Roy knew how out of it his partner was, as evidenced by Johnny barely flinching at the sensation of the IV needle being inserted into his arm.
When the ambulance arrived, Johnny was readied for transport.
As Roy began to help lift Johnny onto the stretcher, Chet and Marco came out, wanting to know how the downed paramedic was doing.
"How is he, Roy? Johnny gonna be okay?"
"He's stable, Chet…but very groggy at the moment. Cap, will someone bring the squad in?"
"Sure. Chet, you wanna bring the squad in. We'll meet you at Rampart as soon as we finish up here."
Roy followed Johnny's stretcher into the back of the ambulance, as Hank handed him the bio-phone and the drug box.
"See you soon, Roy."
After the customary two taps on the closed ambulance doors, the ambulance took off for the hospital, Chet following behind.
Arriving at Rampart, the ambulance doors were opened, and as Johnny's stretcher came into view, Dr. Early was surprised at who their patient was.
"Johnny? Can you hear me?"
"Mmm…hear ya."
"Let's get him to Room 3. What happened, Roy?"
Roy proceeded to tell the doctor what had transpired at the fire, as Johnny was wheeled down the hallway.
"He was out for maybe ten minutes."
"Okay."
As the stretcher was wheeled into the treatment room, Roy stood by to help transfer Johnny onto the exam bed.
"On three…one…two…three."
Once Johnny was transferred, Dr. Early gave out some orders to the nurses.
Entering the room was Anna, who like everyone else had no idea that the Code I was Johnny. She was quite shocked to learn that her new boyfriend was indeed their patient.
Doing her best to keep her composure, Anna set about helping with Johnny's care.
A few minutes after his vitals were re-taken Johnny started to regain full consciousness.
"What…what happened? Where's Roy?"
"Easy Johnny…relax."
Standing so Johnny could see him, Roy smiled at his partner.
"I'm right here. You were in an explosion and hit your head. You're at Rampart."
Early looked at his patient with concern. "Johnny, do you remember anything about what happened?"
"Yeah…I guess I do. The house fire…basement."
"Yes. We're going to take some x-rays now, and then take you for a CT-scan. Just try to relax."
Dr. Early led Roy out to the hallway, while Anna stayed inside for a few moments.
Johnny had his eyes closed and didn't catch the worried look that Anna had on her face. To the other nurses in the room, it seemed to be a normal reaction, as if any of the other firefighters or paramedics had gotten injured. But the truth remained, that they also knew that Anna had a special fondness for Johnny.
Out in the hall, Roy and Early were quickly joined by a worried Chet Kelly.
"How is he?"
"He should be okay, Chet. We're running some tests now. He's conscious and pretty alert now. Why don't you fellas go have some coffee in the lounge? As soon as I have any news to share with you, I will."
Watching the doctor walk away, Chet turned to Roy.
"He'll really be okay? When I saw him back at the fire…"
Roy nodded his head as if he were reliving the same moment that Chet was referring to. "Yeah…like Dr. Early said…Johnny should be fine."
Roy and Chet made their way to the lounge, where they were joined an hour later by the rest of their crew.
"Any news, Roy?" a concerned Captain Stanley asked.
"Nothing definite yet, Cap. We should know more soon. But he did regain consciousness."
"That's good news."
"Yes…it's very good news."
Another hour and a half later, with Johnny was resting comfortably in his room, Dr. Early came to share the good news with the rest of Johnny's friends.
Even before Roy, the first one to ask the question was Chet. "How is he, doc?"
Joe nodded his head. "He's stable, not to mention very lucky…a rather bad concussion, but no other injuries. He's resting comfortably."
"How long you think he'll be laid up for?" Chet continued with the line of questions.
"He'll be here at Rampart for a few days…then he can go home. He's in Room 211 if you want to see him…just keep it short, he needs his rest."
The guys all arrived at Room 211 to see their injured crewmate.
Johnny, despite still being a little groggy, brightened up at the sight of his friends.
"Hey, you guys remembered me."
"Of course we did, you twit."
"How are you feeling?" Roy asked his partner.
"Well…I got a pretty mean headache, but I guess all things considering, I'm doing okay. Dr. Early says I'll be here for a day or two."
"At least. We're going to get going. You need your rest, and we need to go back to the station and eat. Roy, your temporary partner will be meeting you back at the station."
"Okay, Cap…I won't be long."
After saying good-bye to their friend, the others left, leaving Roy alone with his partner.
"Well, Junior…you did it again…scared the living daylights out of me."
Starting to succumb to medication and tiredness, Johnny started to get very sleepy.
"Sorry, Roy…didn't mean to. But you know what…I'm still happy." Johnny added the last comment with a tired smile.
"Well…I'm glad one of us is. You take care, partner…I'll see you a little later…get some rest."
Johnny nodded his head. "I'll try. Thanks for gettin' me out today."
Roy left Johnny's room and made his way back downstairs to the ER. However, when he approached the base station, he realized that he had left his hand radio upstairs in Johnny's room.
Seeing Roy's somewhat exasperated look, Joe Early looked at Roy thinking something was wrong.
"Roy…everything okay?"
"Oh…yeah, fine. I left my radio upstairs…gotta go back up and get it, but I'm a little pooped out at the moment."
"I hear you. You know, Johnny will be fine. He'll be here for a few days and then should be able to go home."
"Yeah, I know…but thanks for the reinforcement. Guess I'll go back upstairs…see you in a few."
Noting that the coast was clear, Anna was able to sneak upstairs and check on Johnny. She had been so worried about him, but was now very relieved knowing that he would be okay.
Despite Johnny's grogginess, the two of them had had a brief conversation, and were currently in the middle of quite the passionate kiss. Anna was sitting on the edge of Johnny's bed, and the two of them had their arms around each other.
Pushing open the door to his partner's room, Roy was stunned at the sight before him.
"Uh…sorry. I…I just came back for my radio."
Walking over to Johnny's bed, Roy picked up the radio.
Johnny looked up and grinned tiredly. "So…now you know my secret."
"Hey, I couldn't be happier for you guys. I…I should be going."
"Wait…I was going to tell you eventually, Roy. We just…"
"You guys don't owe me any explanation. I can respect your privacy. You guys make a great couple…your secret's safe with me…honest. I'll see you later, Johnny."
Roy smiled embarrassingly and started for the door.
Anna looked back at Johnny for a moment, and then followed Roy out into the hallway.
"Roy…"
"Anna…I'm really happy for you guys. I was just caught off-guard. What I said this morning is true…I've never seen Johnny so happy or relaxed. You guys are two of my favorite people…and you deserve each other. Maybe one day you'll get married and have a bunch of kids."
"Roy…"
"Don't worry…I'll keep it quiet…I'm not one to gossip. See you later, Anna…take care of my partner." Winking, Roy smiled and walked away.
When Anna returned to Johnny, he had his head back and his eyes closed.
"Johnny?"
Opening his eyes, he shook his head slowly. "That's not how it was supposed to come out."
"It's okay…he won't say anything. I gotta get back down to the ER before people become suspicious. I'll check on you a little later."
Anna once again bent down and kissed Johnny.
"Guess that'll have to hold me over till later."
"Yep." Anna responded with a grin.
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