"Time for a Miracle"
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Emergency! I'm just using them for my own imagination, and promise to put them back unharmed. Any medical mistakes are my own. This is my first time writing a story, so forgive me if I make any errors.
John Gage is finally married, he and his wife are expecting their first child. Life is going great for the couple, but sometimes in life, good things must come to an end....
Chapter 1
It was just after lights out at the station, John Gage was lying in his bunk thinking. Going through the day in his mind, it had been one of the easiest, stress free days as a paramedic in a long time. Of the calls he and his partner Roy DeSoto responded to, most were minor incidents, not even requiring a follow up to Rampart. Days like this were rare, so it felt good to relax a little. As a matter of fact, life was good. Johnny let out a content sigh, as his thoughts drifted back to a year ago.....
Dixie McCall head nurse at Rampart, had been playing matchmaker for Johnny. She always had a soft spot in her heart for the handsome paramedic, and enjoyed seeing him at his happiest, especially while trying to win the affection of his latest flame.
The object of his affection was nurse Sharon Walters. Sharon had been working in the ER for several months, and seemed to be good friends with some of the nurses he had dated in the past. Johnny couldn't help notice how attractive she was, she had gorgeous brown eyes, long dark brown hair, and a smile that lit up a room.
Johnny was attracted to more than Sharon's beauty, she had an almost childlike shyness to her that was kind of endearing, which she displayed when she wasn't around her friends. Johnny wasn't sure why she seemed to avoid him, he thought maybe it had to do with his reputation of being dumped by most of the young attractive nurses at the hospital that he had dated.
Another quality that Johnny admired in Sharon, was in the way she interacted with the patients. She always seemed to have a way of quietly comforting and soothing them when they were frightened. Sharon would take the time to talk to them and help explain procedures the doctors were performing on them, so they wouldn't be so scared. Johnny also had a reputation for being that way with the patients he treated as well, and it was important to him.
One day after Johnny and Roy had brought a patient into the ER, they were having a cup of coffee with Dixie at the nurses station, Johnny asked, " Dix, do you know if Sharon is dating anyone right now?"
Dixie looked at Johnny with a beaming smile. "Well, Johnny, I'm not sure, why don't you ask her out on a date?"
"I don't know Dix, she hangs out with the girls I've gone out with before, and it didn't work out with them, she acts like she's trying to avoid me!"
Roy looked over at Johnny, rolled his eyes and quietly muttered, "Here we go again!".
"Johnny, you never know unless you ask," said Dixie with a quick wink.
Johnny huffed, "Still, I don't know, what if the other girls told her some stuff about me and scared her off, all I was trying to do was be pleasant and friendly like I always am!"
With that Roy shot him a look of annoyance and announced, "Are you about ready to go, Romeo?"
"Yeah Roy, Dix, I'll see you later, I'll think about it." With a quick wave goodbye, the two paramedics left for the squad, leaving Dixie with a huge smile on her face.
"He's got it bad again," Dixie muttered to herself. "Maybe I'll help him out this time, they sure would make a cute couple," she chuckled.
Later that afternoon, Dixie was mulling over some paperwork when Sharon walked up to the nurses station, to put away a patient's chart. "Sharon, everything ok? You look tired? "Yes Miss McCall, it's just been so busy today, I haven't had a chance to catch my breath!"
"Yes, Sharon it has been busy, how about a cup of coffee? I know I could sure use one! It seems a little quiet now, why don't we go to the nurse's lounge and take a short break?" Both women walked into the room, Dixie poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Sharon and motioned for her to sit down at the table. "You look like you could use a relaxing night off," Dixie started. "I hope you take time to have some fun now and then, ya know this place can get to ya once in a while."
"I try to Miss McCall..."Sharon said wearily, "it's just hard to find the time, and the right company. Right now, the thing is, most of my friends have steady boyfriends, and I haven't found anyone I want to date in a while. Most of the guys I've been out with lately are real phonies, ya know?"
Dixie looked at Sharon and smiled, "Maybe you just haven't been looking in the right places? I'm sure there are lots of sweet guys out there you, I'll bet he's just right under your nose!"
"Maybe," Sharon paused thoughtfully, "I want to meet someone who shares the same interests I do, has a good sense of humor, and is thoughtful."
"You know Sharon, I don't normally pry into my nurse's personal lives, but I just might have the right person in mind for you, you've seen him around here lots of times."
Sharon looked at Dixie with surprise, "Who?"
"What about John Gage?"
"You mean Johnny? said Sharon with a chuckle. "He's been out with most of my friends, and they've all told me he's got a big head and he's cheap!"
"Sharon," Dixie interjected, "I've known Johnny for several years, he's really not that kind of guy once you get to know him. He may seem a little quirky sometimes, but he's smart, funny and has a big heart... I really think you two would hit it off!" Dixie smiling, patted Sharon on the arm, "Just give it some thought, meanwhile, we better get back out there before another rush starts!"
"Thanks for the talk Miss McCall, I'll give it some thought."
The next morning, Johnny and Roy were at Rampart getting supplies for the squad. Just as they were getting ready to leave, Dixie looked straight at Johnny with a big grin, "Johnny, have you given any more thought about asking Sharon for a date?"
"I might have, I don't know, maybe. Why?" he stammered with a surprised look on his face.
"Oh, just wondering that's all...just then the P.A system sounded, "Miss McCall to treatment room 4, Miss McCall treatment room 4!"
"I'll see you guys later, okay? Gotta run!"
Johnny and Roy grabbed the supplies and started walking down the ER hallway. Johnny spotted Sharon talking to a nurse at the end of the hallway, and stopped in his tracks. He threw an arm out catching Roy in the chest stopping him. Roy looked at his bewildered partner, shaking his head, "I'll be out in the squad, make it quick."
"I'll just be a minute Roy," he answered with playful annoyance.
Johnny casually walked to the drinking fountain, turned in on and bent down to take a long drink, while watching Sharon out of the corner of his eye. He stood up, wiped the water off his mouth with the back of his hand and paused. Sharon finished her conversation with the nurse and was now walking toward Johnny, but she didn't see him. Johnny stepped in her path.
"Hi Sharon!"
"Oh Hi Johnny, you scared me!" she gasped as she put her hand over her pounding heart.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, how are you?" Johnny offered with concern.
"That's ok, I'm fine, and you?"
"Good, good," Johnny suddenly got nervous, and swallowed, "Uh Sharon, Roy's waiting in the squad for me, and uh, I know this is kinda sudden, but would you, I mean uh, do you think, maybe you'd like to go out with me sometime?" Holding his breath, thinking to himself, " Great, I must sound like an idiot."
Sharon was thinking.... he really is a handsome guy...and cute that he's so nervous right now,"Yes, Johnny that would be great."
Relieved, Johnny let out a big grin, "Well, great! Are you free on Friday? I get off shift at 4, how about I pick you up at 6?"
"Friday is fine, here let me give you my phone number, that way you can call me for directions to my apartment."
"Okay, well, I'll talk to you later then," beamed Johnny. "I better run, or Roy'll make me walk back to the station!" chuckled Johnny.
"Alright Johnny, bye!
Saturday morning, Johnny arrived at the station early, he was in a great mood. Whistling as he walked into the locker room, he walked past Roy as he was getting into his uniform, smacking him on the shoulder,"Mornin', mornin,' mornin'," Johnny beamed, "It's a great day isn't it?"
Roy looked at him and smiled, "What's got you so happy? You look like the cat that just swallowed the canary!"
"Very funny Roy," Johnny smirked, then brightened unable to contain his excitement, "I had the most incredible date last night, you wouldn't believe it!"
"Oh yeah Johnny! Who?", knowing he wouldn't have to pry.
"You know, Sharon Walters, that's who!" Johnny shot back, knowing he was being teased.
Laughing at his partner's annoyance, "How did it go?" inquired Roy.
"I took her to dinner and a movie, then we went back to my place. Roy, we have so much in common! We talked all night long, it was incredible! She likes the same music I do, she likes to bowl and go camping! I can't wait to see her again, we have another date on my day off Sunday!"
"Johnny, I'm glad you're so excited, but remember, you've fallen for a girl like this before, and it didn't pan out...better take it slow.."
"Roy, this is different", Johnny interrupted.."How so?" Roy shot back."I just feel it, ya know?" said Johnny. "Yeah, well, I know how you are, you get your hopes up and then the next thing I know, I'm sittin' next to gloomy gus!", said Roy.
"Well, look Roy, what have I got to lose? Besides, I'm not getting any younger, I've been telling you I think it's time I settle down..." Johnny said with some seriousness to his tone.
"Just like I said, don't rush into something you might regret," Roy said with concern for his friend.
"I won't Roy, I know you're just lookin' out for me, and I really appreciate it, I value your opinion, I really do, thanks Pally."
"Any time Johnny, we better get out there to roll call, or Cap'll have both of us on latrine duty!" Roy advised with a lighthearted laugh.
Both men closed their locker doors, and walked out to the apparatus room to await roll call.
Several weeks later, Johnny and Roy were sitting in the day room at the table, having a cup of coffee in a serious conversation. "Roy, how did you know that Joanne was the one you wanted to marry?"
Just then Chet walked into the day room and pulled up a chair, "Hey Johnny, what's this? Goin' in to pre-marriage counseling?"
"Shut up Chet, can't you see me and Roy are having a private conversation?", snapped Johnny.
"Sorry, Johnny babe, it's just not every day, I hear you asking such serious questions, after you've been dating a chick for more than three dates!" snipped Chet.
"Chet, not that it's any of your business, I'll have you know, it's been more than three dates, and she's not just any chick!" spouted Johnny.
"Whoa, simmer down Johnny! Don't get your feathers ruffled, I was just sayin'....
"I know what you were saying Chet, just lay off!" What would you know about a serious relationship anyway? You've been dumped more times than I can count, and you still go back for more!" snorted Johnny.
"Chet why don't you go polish the engine, before Cap comes in here...", before Roy could finish his sentence the klaxons went off.
"Station 51: Structure fire, 1321 Almeda Lane, One Three Two One, Almeda Lane, time out, thirteen twenty."
"Saved by the bell!" Chet remarked, as he Johnny and Roy, jumped up and ran to their vehicles.
"Station 51, 10-4, KMG 365!" Captain Stanley said into the mike. Cap handed the call slip to Roy as he started the squad, and then ran to the engine.
The squad and engine pulled up to a small house a short time later. The house was engulfed in flames, "Chet, you and Marco, pull an inch and a half and start on the front of the house, John, you and Roy, check the house for victims." ordered Captain Stanley.
Just as Roy and Johnny were putting their air masks on, the next door neighbor ran up to Captain Stanley. "I was the one that called you, the people that live in this house are on vacation, I don't know how the fire started, I just happened to be looking out my front window and saw the flames!"
"Thank you mister uh..." quizzed Captain Stanley. "Brown, Robert Brown" said the neighbor. "That's good to know, we'll do what we can to figure out what happened."
Captain Stanley waved Roy and Johnny over to where he was standing, "Roy, John, the neighbor here says the people that live here are on vacation, so there's no need for a search. Grab another line and start on the fire at the back of the house." "Sure thing Cap" said Roy, as he and Johnny ran to the engine to pull the hose off the truck.
An hour and a half later the fire was out, and the men were finishing up the overhaul. The house was a total loss. Tired, hot and sweaty, the men retreated back to their respective vehicles, and headed back to the station. Once they arrived at the station, they all took turns taking showers, putting on clean uniforms, then got ready for lunch.
It was Marco's day to cook, so while Marco was preparing lunch, Johnny went out to the back parking lot, to unwind. Roy followed, and found Johnny leaning on his Land Rover.
"Now that we're alone, do you want to tell me what's on your mind Johnny?"asked Roy.
Johnny looked like he was deep in thought."Well, like I said, I was wondering how you knew you wanted to marry Joanne? I mean, how sure were you, that she was the one?"
Roy sensed the seriousness in Johnny's tone, "I've told you before, that Joanne and I knew each other for a very long time before we got married. I knew her in grade school, and we were friends long before we dated." Roy paused before he continued. "So it just seemed natural for me to want to spend the rest of my life with her."
Johnny knew it wasn't easy for Roy to talk about his feelings, especially to another guy, but he and Roy had been friends for so long now, that he felt comfortable asking him his opinion, so he pressed on.
"You know I've been seeing Sharon for a month now," Johnny started, "and I feel she and I have gotten real close, ya know?"
"Yeah Johnny, I know you've told me, so are you thinking of asking her to marry you?"
Johnny looked at his feet and paused before he continued, "Roy, I know what you're thinking, I've been seeing her for a short time..." Roy interrupted, "Johnny, I just don't think you want to make the same mistake that you made with Valerie, remember that?"
"But Roy, she wasn't completely honest with me, she never told me she had kids. I DO want to have kids some day, I just didn't want to become a father over night." Johnny continued, "and besides, once I got over that shock, and THEN when she dumped me for that lawyer, I realized I wasn't ready to marry either."
"This is different, I mean, I truly believe that Sharon and I are meant to be together Roy, I know it sounds crazy, but that's how I feel."
Roy looked over at Johnny, seeing the sincerity in his eyes,"Sounds like you have your mind made up, I'm really happy for you Johnny. You deserve it, I mean that."
"Thanks Roy, that means a lot coming from you."