Title: Do you believe in Heaven?

By: FanofRandy

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions

Summary: On the scene of a rescue, Johnny is asked a question that he is unsure how to answer. But, by the time all is said and done, he knows the answer for himself. NOTE: Based on the song "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan (I know the song was not written until 1997..but, come on, this is all fiction, right?)

WARNING: the topic of child molestation, physical and sexual abuse is touched upon in this story.

Johnny parked his Rover in its normal spot and saw that nearly everyone else had already arrived, except Roy, his partner of four years. Johnny stretched out a yawn and remembered the long weekend he had spent with his partner's family. They had such a great time; they knew it would be hard to return to work the next day. Johnny thought for a moment, "Maybe Roy called in so he could have one more day off with the kids." The beginning of summer break was always a special time for the DeSotos—they just loved being together as a family. And, Johnny was honored to be included.

Just as Johnny opened the door to get out, Roy's car made the turn into the station lot. Johnny waved and smiled as he made his way into the back door and through the day room and equipment bay to the locker room to dress for the shift. As he opened his locker, he put up a new photo taken that weekend of he and Jenny DeSoto—she was sitting on her Uncle Johnny's shoulders and waving at her mother who was in charge of the camera at that time. "Boy," Johnny said aloud to no one in particular, "she sure is getting big." "Who's getting big", Chet asked, overhearing the verbal thoughts of his friend. "Oh, did I say that out loud? I was just talking about Jenny, Roy's daughter. She is ten now…such a bright, young lady." "Well, Gage," Chet chimed, "I guess your charm works on chicks no matter how old they are, huh?"

"HEY," Roy yelled, "Don't be callin' my little girl a chick!" Chet, a little flustered said, "Oh, sorry Roy…it's just that I can't see what Jenny sees in this guy" leaning his head toward Johnny. Johnny paid him no mind…he was still looking at the picture and remembering the wonderful time they had camping and canoeing. He could not wait for the next time. "Hey, Roy," Johnny said, finally out of his daze, "thought you were gonna miss roll call." The men just both smiled a knowing smile and nodded to each other. They finished getting ready and reported to roll call.

They had gotten no runs all morning so the chores went quickly. John and Roy calibrated the Squad's gear, called in to Rampart and checked their supplies. They decided to make a supply run to Rampart and told Cap they would be back in a little while. "Some weekend, huh?" Johnny said to Roy as they drove to Rampart. "Yeah, it was something, Junior. Our first outing of the summer is always a great one. The kids really enjoyed having you there, Johnny. I think Chet is right, you have really charmed my daughter. She did not leave your side the whole weekend. Swimming, basketball, canoeing, she was glued right to you." Johnny thought he heard some disappointment in his partner's voice.

"Well, Roy…the kids get to be with you all the time. How often do I get to spend a whole weekend with them? Jenny probably just thought I needed looking after since I am always getting myself into hot water, right?" Johnny's comment brought a smile to Roy's face and he knew that Roy was not mad at him for monopolizing his daughter the whole time.

It was amazing to Johnny, and to other adults who knew him and watched him with kids, that he got along so great with kids—better than he did with most adults. Heck, Johnny was just a big kid himself, so that probably explained everything right there. They pulled up to Rampart and both jumped out. Johnny grabbed the Handie-Talkie and they entered the emergency room doors. Dixie was at the supply desk as they walked up and she was smiling and whistling. "Having a good morning, Dix" asked Roy. "Yeah, pretty good, Roy. How 'bout you guys?"

Roy and Johnny smiled and both said, "Pretty good" almost at the same time. After gathering their needed supplies, Roy looked around for Johnny. He knew his partner was usually flirting with the nurses or up in the pediatric unit playing with the kids. "What is it with Johnny and kids?" Roy wondered. "They are naturally drawn to him and he is at home in their presence." Before he could begin to wonder which option Johnny had chosen, the doors of the elevator opened and he saw Johnny saying goodbye to a rather cute young woman. "Did you get her number, Junior?" "What?", Johnny asked, lost in his thoughts. "Oh, no," he replied, "it's not what you think. That was Callie. She is a nurse in pediatrics and we were just discussing the party they are having next month for the children. I am in charge of story-telling and refreshments. It should be a really fun time for everyone."

After saying goodbye to Dixie and waving a hello/goodbye to Dr. Brackett as he flew past them, they returned to the Squad. "Squad 51, returning to quarters," Johnny reported over the radio to dispatch. "10-4 Squad 51, LA" came the response. Before they were even two blocks from Rampart, the tones sounded…

"Station 51, Station 8, Station 110, Squad 28, respond to a structure fire at 1907 Carson Way…1-9-0-7 Carson Way, Time out, 11:35." "Squad 51, responding from Rampart Emergency, 10-4", Johnny replied as he and Roy put on their helmets.

Johnny got a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach as he realized why that address was familiar…"Roy, that is the LA County Children's Home. I volunteer there once a month. They house over 200 children in foster care there. This is not going to be good, Pally." Roy swallowed hard; he knew that Johnny particularly had a hard time with calls that included injured children or children in peril. And, with having his own children, it was hard for him to maintain his professional composure as well. He prayed the children were all out of the building and safe…though with the start of summer break from school, he knew that all of the children were probably in the building at the time the fire started. He felt himself willing the Squad to go faster…

TBC