Captain Hank Stanley looked at his shift crew however one member was missing. A very important member, who was always early, had his equipment calibrated and a list of supplies needed from Rampart Hospital. Paramedic/Fireman John Gage was missing and Stanley was worried. He had never thought he say this but he wish he had more men as conscientious as Gage.

For the past few months Gage had been an exceptional crew member with no whining, complaining or otherwise foolishness. He did his assigned duties perfectly and even seemed to improve on his paramedic abilities. Cap had found John buried in some medical book and even trying to get his partner, Andrew Palmer to do the same.

"Improves your diagnosis in the field, Palmer and helps the doctor too," he had heard him tell Palmer not to long ago.

"So Palmer, you know where your partner is?" Stanley scratched his head, hoping they were both partners and friends.

"Sorry Cap, Gage is kinda closed mouth what he does on his off time," Palmer looked at the station garage floor.

"Well I'll give him an hour and then call in a replacement; he maybe stuck in traffic or something." Stanley gave the duty assignments and then went to his office.

*****

Fireman/Paramedic John Gage squinted up at the sun and put his good arm to shade his eyes. His short black hair was bloodied and matted to his head and his whole body ached. He clutched tightly to his ruck sack and used his good arm to take out his canteen. So far his first aid kit didn't help him much. One minute he was hiking a perfectly good trail and the next minute he had rolled down, injured and stuck in a ravine. He had tried to sit up right after he fell only he found himself unconscious and looking up at the night sky

He could hear traffic in the background, birds chirping, the rustle of the wind through the trees and looking up another smog filled day in LA. But so far down the ravine, he doubted they would find his bones after a couple of years. His problem was he knew the trail too well; he had come here to think and think hard. Not being invited to the party hurt him more than he was willing to admit.

"Another accident waiting to happen," Gage sighed. That's what his former partner and friend called him among other things. He had taken his ABC's after first rolling down the hill but in his heart he knew he would die alone. No one knew or cared where he was, hell, no one would miss him. He was just another dumb Indian.

Taking another drink of water, he closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.

****

Sitting in his office Stanley looked at the clock, picked up the phone and dialed a number on a hunch since so far no one had heard from Gage. The captain heard the rings and then someone picked up.

"Desoto residence," Roy said into the phone, wondering why someone would call this late, after nine p.m.

"Roy, this is Cap'n Stanley," he inhaled.

"Cap'n what do I owe the pleasure?"Roy hadn't heard from his former Cap'n since the party a week ago. "How are you?"

"I'm fine Roy. The reason I called is I'm wondering…wondering if you've heard from John Gage lately." Stanley hoped against hope.

Roy shook his head, "No I haven't why are you asking?" Desoto didn't like what Stanley was implying.

"Well," Stanley bounced a pencil on his desk and stared at the clock, "Gage didn't report for shift this morning. It's just not like him."

"Johnny? Maybe he found a new hobby Cap or maybe a new woman and forgot. Gage could always cut it pretty close. Besides I'm sure he'll show up with some wild story," Desoto said with a bite and a snort.

"No Roy not anymore he isn't, "Stanley defended the missing firefighter, and "you wouldn't recognize him. Anyway, if you see him would you please have him call; we're awfully worried about him."

"Sure thing Cap, night," Roy hung up the phone and wondered what that was about. Gage was always marginal; he wondered why he recruited him in the first place. Now the new paramedics he was training were head and shoulders above John Gage. He would stake his life on it.

"Honey," Joanne Desoto looked at her husband. "Who was that?" His wife's brown eyes searched her husband's furrowed brow and frowning face.

"Just Cap's Stanley looking for Gage. He didn't report to shift this morning. They thought I might know where he was," Desoto shrugged and hugged his wife. "C'mon honey it's late. Let's get to bed."

Joanne stopped him. "Roy, Johnny wasn't at our party last week. I meant to ask you why. As a matter of fact I don't think we've seen Johnny since you got your new position."

"He was busy Joanne. When isn't he busy? Picking up some new hobby or woman? Don't worry Gage will show up with some wild story," Roy yawned and guided his wife to their bedroom.

**********

John looked up at the night sky. Night had been his favorite time on the reservation. He looked up at the night sky and remembered his grandfather pointing out the stars and telling stories of his people. If he got out alive he would be making more changes, his former partner had moved on so maybe it was time he did. There was nothing holding him here to LA, besides LA had lost its charm long ago. Taking another slow sip of water and clutching tightly to his rucksack he prayed to the great God to be rescued.