Goodbye and Hello

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick them up, dust them off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Every person and all the events of our lives are there because we have drawn them there. Even then their change remains beyond our control." Richard Bach.

Chapter 1

"Will you grab that?" Roy yelled up the tower.

"How can I grab it when it's halfway down already?" Johnny said while leaning over the railing a bit too much for Roy's liking.

"Johnny! Will you get back. If you fall out of the tower Cap will kill us both," he yelled back with a little bit of annoyance in his voice.

"You bet I will," Roy jumped at Hank's voice behind him. "Too much paperwork involved."

Johnny climbed back into the tower after untangling the line before lowering it down to Roy.

"Sorry Cap," Roy shrugged. "Just never know with Johnny."

Hank tossed his eyebrows up and rolled his eyes, "You can say that again."

Seeing Johnny safely back with both feet on the floor Hank then turned and wandered back into the bay then to his office. Roy waited patiently as Johnny climbed down the ladder. Hitting the ground with a resounding thump Roy just shook his head.

"Are you done?"

Johnny ran his fingers through his hair, "Yea I'm done." He watched his senior partner go towards the bay and stop at the squad. Roy opened up the side doors and pulled out one of the boxes to begin their inventory count for the day. Johnny kept his eye on him. Something wasn't right with Roy today and he hadn't been able to get it out of him yet.

"So, what are you and Joanne doing this weekend?" He decided to start out casual this time since direct questioning at the beginning of the shift hadn't worked out so well.

Roy just shrugged, "Joanne has us busy all weekend. Chris has a game on Saturday and Jenny is working on a school project, something about planting flowers and bugs. I will have my usual list of chores I guess."

Johnny thought about it, "Well, why don't I come over and help you with the yard work on Saturday after the game. That will help you kick some of the list down quicker?"

Roy smiled at that, "Johnny you don't have to do that but I do know that Chris wants you at his game."

"Then it's settled, game, then yard duty." Johnny turned and climbed into the back of the squad to check the tanks, not wanting Roy to have a chance to change his mind. Roy just shook his head. Johnny was pretty good at getting what he wanted out of him and he knew that Johnny was unsettled by his silence today. But Roy wasn't ready yet to talk. His headstrong partner would just have to wait a little longer.

They worked quietly after that and finished up their stock count, closing up the Squad doors when the tones sounded.

"Station 51, Engine 86. Structure Fire……………….Time out 1014."

Roy took the slip of paper from Hank then slipped on his helmet, pulling the strap under his chin. Passing the slip over to Johnny he pulled out the drive and into the street. The ride was quiet, as was their routine. Johnny gave his expert directions, as usual, knowing the streets of Carson like the back of his hand.

They could see the smoke from several blocks away and knew this one was going to be a mess. The subdivision was nice and well kept, the houses all lined up in little rows. Even the mailboxes all matched. Roy pulled up to the curb and they both jumped out. Bystanders were beginning to gather in the yard as the flames roared from the upper level windows.

Mike pulled the engine up to the nearest hydrant and stopped long enough to drop some hose then he pulled forward in front of the squad. All the men jumped out and went straight to work. Being the first engine on the scene Hank was in charge of directing the incoming units as well.

"LA, this is 51. We have a house now fully involved. We need a second assignment."

"10-4, 51."

Roy ran up to the first bystander, "Do you know if anyone was home?"

The older woman, shook her head. "Yes, he works all day but she's at home with the children. Please help them," she cried.

Roy ran back towards Hank, "Cap, we have people inside."

"You and Johnny do a sweep," Hank yelled towards Chet. "Kelly, Lopez! Cover them, we got people trapped inside."

Johnny and Roy loaded up with tanks and masks then headed straight into the house. Marco and Chet were right behind them.

The smoke was thick but they could still pretty easily see the interior rooms to navigate them quickly. Roy motioned to Johnny towards the dining room and kitchen while he indicated he would start down the hallway. Johnny nodded his understanding to his partner. At times like this few words were needed between the two men.

Johnny quickly scanned the two rooms then the living room, not finding anyone, before moving down the hall to find Roy.

"Johnny in here!" He heard the muffled call through the second doorway.

When Johnny got into the room he found Roy kneeling next a little girl, about 4 years old. Beside him was a woman, awake and coughing. Roy had already taken his mask off and placed in on the little girls face. The daughter was pushing against Roy and fighting him as she cried out for her mother. He passed her over to her hoping to calm the child making it easier to get out quickly.

Johnny reached down to help the woman to her feet. Roy was already up and ready to go but the woman grabbed his arm. "My son, God, please get my son."

"Where is he?" Roy asked.

"The next bedroom," she cried.

"Johnny, get them out. I'll get the boy."

Johnny knew to not argue but he definitely didn't like the plan. He simply nodded his agreement and took the mother by the arm, guiding her down the hallway. He looked back to see Roy enter the bedroom and disappear. He passed Marco on the way out.

"Roy's got one more to get, keep him covered," Johnny yelled above the hissing of his air mask.

Marco gave him an exaggerated nod as he held the hose.

Once he had the two victims out the front door he was immediately helped by Hank and Mike to get them over by the Squad. He again glanced to the house with no sign of Roy yet.

"Cap, Roy went after the son." Hank heard the anxiety in his voice.

Roy glanced behind him to see Marco with the hose at the front end of the hallway spraying water up the stairs. So far the fire was contained upstairs but Roy know that wouldn't last for long as hot as the air was getting. He turned into the next bedroom with an initial glance finding nothing other than it was a little boys bedroom, covered with baseball cards and posters. He looked on the other side of the bed to find a young boy about 11 years old hiding there. He looked scared to death but unharmed. Roy sighed a deep breath, "Come on son, let's get you out of here okay?"

The child just nodded and reached out to take Roy's hand. But before he could grab it the boy took off at a dead run. Caught off guard Roy jumped after him but managed to trip over something on the floor. Finding his feet beneath him fast he reached the hallway to see the small feet disappear around the corner towards the back of the house. Roy went down the hallway at a full run trying to catch up with him.

Marco didn't see the child run out of the room but he did see Roy as he ran as fast as he could down the hallway. In the wrong direction. Marco couldn't figure out what was going on when an explosion knocked him off his feet.