STORM RIDERS

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

"The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in."
― Henry Green

A/N Thank you for those joining me on my next journey with the boys. Hotshow sent me some ideas and asked me to build a story around them. She has patiently waited for my muse to return from the beach and be ready to write again. Hope you enjoy this next adventure and please send me your thoughts so I know you're out there lol.

CHAPTER 1

"Well, I'll be. Never thought I'd see the day that John Gage would have sold his Rover." Chet stood out in the back parking lot of the station and eyed the new pickup truck that occupied the Rover's space now. "Is the world coming to an end?"

Johnny ignored the twitching mustache standing across from him. "Well, sometimes things change Chet. It's no big deal." He stood next to the Chevy like a proud father, his hand running across the slick candy apple red hood.

Roy just shook his head, puzzled at the surprise that had presented itself to the shift on this chilly southern California morning. One thing he knew for sure and that was his partner had been out of character for the last four months. "No big deal huh? Why do I have the feeling this is just the beginning of a long story?" He said with hesitation as he mentally tried to calculate how the shift ahead of them was heading.

Johnny glanced over at his partner, immediately finding the blue inquisitive eyes just waiting for him to spill details about what brought about such a drastic and sudden decision. Quickly, he darted his eyes and smile back to Marco, who was still mumbling something in Spanish that resembled a soft cooing to the all terrain tires that were brand new.

"Don't act like I lack the ability to let something go. I mean, yea, the Rover was great, but it was time for a change. I've had this all week and it's great." Johnny knew perfectly well that trading the Rover was just the tip of the iceberg of changes and it was taking everything he had to not spill the beans until the time was right. Driving the truck to work had no longer been avoidable, once the Rover was sold, and now he was going to have to be extra careful.

"Wow, nice truck John," Hank said as he wandered out the back bay door in search of his missing crew. "I can't believe you let that old Rover go. You plan on moving to the mountains now and leaving us?"

Johnny hung his head down. How in the world could these guys know him that well? Well, he knew why, but still. "Can't a guy buy something new without it being a life changing event? Look, I wanted something different. Why is that such a big deal?"

Roy tucked his hands in his pockets and walked past him into the bay. "Oh, it's a big deal."

Johnny sighed. This was going to be harder than he had planned.

"Can you still get the Rover back if you change your mind?" Mike asked, leaning into the cab to check out the interior, already loving the new dials and gauges.

"Why would I want it back? This baby is great. Four by four, all terrain, great towing ability, new rebuilt V-8 engine."

"Did a national disaster happen to wipe all the roads and interstates in those ten miles between your apartment and the station?" Chet chided him.

Johnny just scowled his brow down. "Hilarious Chet. I drive a lot of places outside the city and you know that."

Chet looked over to Marco. "Fishing. He's talking about fishing. The noise from that thing would scare any fish in a ten-mile radius away."

"You want to talk about scary vehicles?" Johnny said pointing to Chet's dilapidated van.

Chet furrowed his brow at Johnny. "I'll have you know that's a classic, Gage."

Marco chuckled. "That's not what you called it last week when we had to push it to the gas station."

Mike snickered.

"Shut up Marco. Everyone knows a classic is sometimes temperamental. That's what gives them their charm."

Johnny just raised his eyebrows with a grin.

"Alright," Hank quickly interrupted them. "Roll call in five."

It only took seconds for the crew to hurry to the locker room and change out of their street clothes. Roy slipped on his blue shirt and watched Johnny move slowly and as one with medical training might even describe as carefully.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked.

"Oh nothing, just had a busy weekend and I'm a little sore." He tucked his shirt in and headed out into the bay.

"Well, C-shift had eleven runs, so we need to head to Rampart for supplies this morning," Roy told him as they lined up with the others.

"That's fine, I just need a little bit of coffee to get me going today," he answered, yet not making contact with the eyes that were still scrutinizing him.

After getting their shift assignments and being updated on the mandatory training coming in a couple of weeks everyone headed to the kitchen for coffee. Roy took his cup and sat at the table, opening up the newspaper for a brief look as he waited for his partner. Marco was already busy prowling the cabinets, checking for dinner supplies and making a list of shopping items as Chet read the morning classifieds to Henry, who was draped across his lap.

"Three years old, up to date on shots, house trained," he read. "I don't know Henry, she sounds pretty hot, buddy. You might not want to pass this one up."

"Chet, are you still trying to set Henry up on a date?" Hank said, shaking his head as he sipped his own coffee.

"Now, Cap, there's nothing wrong with a little companionship, even if you are a dog." Chet put the paper down beside them and rubbed Henry's head. "Just ask Johnny, he can tell you from experience."

Johnny just glared at him. "Learned all I needed to know by asking your dates, Chet."

"Har Har," Chet growled back. He reached over and patted Henry's head again. "I just figure he's lonely when we're out on runs."

Hank sat forward. "We are not getting another dog." He shook his head. It was like leaving kids at home to come to work with more kids sometimes. "One is plenty and besides, I don't think I could take two of Henry."

Henry rolled over, his ears flopping upside down on the couch.

"Now look, Cap, you hurt his feelings," Chet whined.

Mike shook his head. "How can you tell?"

Roy agreed with Mike. "I'm not convinced anything can hurt Henry's feelings."

"Chet, I think you have to be conscious more than an hour a day to have feelings," Mike said.

Out of the corner of his eye, Roy watched Johnny stretch his arms above his head, push his shoulders back and arch his back, twisting until the pop and resulting groan was audible. The moment Johnny realized he was being watched he relaxed and leaned against the counter again. It was getting harder for Roy to keep quiet. This was the sixth time in as many weeks that Johnny had come to work with visible injuries of some variety. He'd caught sight of bruises, ace wraps, cold packs, aspirin taking and extra hot showers. Sitting on the sidelines was taking everything he had to not demand to know what was going on with his best friend. His questions, inquiries, and non-insistent probing had gotten him nowhere. Johnny was being very tight lipped and his concern was growing.

"Come on Grandpa Jones, let's get those supplies," Roy told him.

In the squad, Johnny stayed quiet. They'd been friends and partners long enough for him to know that Roy was already tuned into the fact that something was up. He had never been good at keeping secrets from the man who was as much his brother as he was a best friend. It was just that he wasn't ready to answer the questions that Roy was going to be asking soon.

"Nice truck," Roy said casually.

He couldn't help but smile. "She is nice isn't she?"

"Seems to have a lot of power for driving around in the city."

"No, not really. It does have potential, but it can be driven anywhere. Just think how nice it will be to have the room to stow camping stuff next time we head out."

Roy glanced back over to him, impervious to the attempt at distraction. "The kids have been asking to see ya since you've been so busy on all our days off recently. Maybe, you can come show it off to them this weekend."

Johnny heard the underlying prod about his lengthy absence from hanging out with the DeSoto's. It wasn't unusual for him to join his second family for a weekend cookout, or baseball game, but recently he'd been busy on most days off.

"I miss seeing them too. I'm just not sure about this weekend; I've got plans so it'll just depend on how much I can get done."

Roy tried to sound upbeat and helpful. "If there's anything I can help out with, you know where to find me."

Johnny smiled back at him. "Yea, I know thanks. I should be caught up soon and, well, I'll have more free time." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked back out the front window. It was just too easy to talk to Roy, too easy to let things slip past.

Roy looked ahead. It was now confirmed, at least in his own mind. Something was going on with Johnny and he was working hard at keeping it a secret. The question was, how hard should he push to get him to talk and should he even try?

****Squad 51, man down, Victoria Park, 419 East, 192nd, time-out 0910*****

Roy turned into the park entrance and readily located the crowd that had already gathered next to the street. A quick exchange between the medics reminded themselves that the saying was usually true, crowds gather around trouble. And this crowd was growing quickly. As soon as the squad came to a halt both men hit the ground, grabbed the boxes then pushed their way through the mumbling group to find the victim.

Most rescues are predictable in their carry out and outcomes, with protocols to follow and anticipated complications. What this call brought entered the smaller percentage of the unexpected and it wasn't a promising way to start a long shift. The first thing they saw was where a car had apparently crossed the road, jumped the curb and hit a tree, landing perpendicular to the main street. Then their eyes tracked to find the man who was trapped in-between the car and the tree.

A young man ran up to them. "I tried to stop it, but I couldn't!"

Johnny looked back to the car. "We've got to get this car moved. I need you to back it up."

"I'm not the driver!" The man yelled at him.

He turned to the crowd. "Where's the driver?"

A woman stepped forward and shook her head. "He is the driver."

Johnny stepped up next to the car to find a large black dog barking at them. He pointed to the canine. "The dog drove the car?"

The woman shrugged. "It came from that driveway across the road, straight down and into the tree. No one was in the car except the dog."

The dog had both paws on the steering wheel and continued to incessantly bark at the crowd around him, his agitation was unmistakable.

"Johnny," Roy called out. "He's wedged in here tight, I can't budge him. We have to move the car."

Johnny looked up noting the man was unconscious, slumped over on the hood, and the look in Roy's eyes told him that their time was limited. He reached for the handle and even though it was unlocked, the dog growling and bearing his teeth was enough to make him withdraw his hand. He pointed to the other side.

"Let's see if we can push it back," Johnny called over to Roy.

Roy moved to the passenger side and with full effort they attempted to move the vehicle, but it wouldn't budge an inch, the tall cement curb locking it into place.

"I can't get in that car without having my arm taken off and with the way that dog is acting I really don't want it loose in the crowd."

Roy shook his head. "He's pinned tight, here at the waist, pulse is 50, respiration's ten and labored. We've got to get this pressure off him and fast."

A quick glance and Johnny could see how the car had jumped the curb, forcing its tires over the concrete border and then deep into the sandy other side.

"The engine can move it back," Johnny thought. "But, we have to wait for them to get here."

Again Roy shook his head. "He doesn't have that much time, but put the call in while we try and figure something out."

"What can I help you with?"

Roy wiped the sweat off his face as Vince approached them. "We need to get that dog out of the car so we can move it. Any ideas?"

Inside the car, the dog was going ballistic with the increasing activity around him. Behind them, Johnny approached carrying a fire extinguisher and a backboard.

"What if we trap him in the backseat with this?"

"That might just work," Roy said with a new found hope as his own anxiety rose for the patient he was helpless to treat at the moment.

"I guess it means I'm the lion tamer today," he said with a crooked smile.

"Just be careful. The way he's foaming at the mouth he could have rabies."

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Great, that'd be my luck."

Vince directed everyone near the scene to move way back just in case the dog managed to get loose from the car. Johnny approached the driver's door as Vince circled to the passenger door.

"Slide the board in from your side first, I'll use the extinguisher to force him into the backseat, then we can block him back there."

Vince nodded at the plan.

The dog was already at Johnny's window, pressing on it with his feet now, growling, fogging up the glass with its hot panting. Johnny tapped on the window, calling to the dog and working to keep its attention on him. On the other side of the car, Vince gently opened his door while the dog was focused on Johnny and slid the backboard into the crack. That redirected the dog's attention and he began attacking the board, sinking his teeth into it, the massive jaws clamping deep into the wood. Johnny took advantage of that distraction and opened his door just enough to fit the extinguisher hose inside and begin to spray the dog, frightening it and directing it away from them. With a little manipulation, they were able to push him into the backseat and Vince quickly pushed the board across, blocking the dog behind them.

The dog now cowered in the back seat, shocked by the cold blast and no longer challenging the presence of the equipment. Vince moved into the car to hold the board up firmly as Johnny jumped behind the wheel, cranked it and with a nod from Roy he placed it in reverse. To his left the engine had arrived and the crew was now running towards them. Johnny's gentle pressure on the gas confirmed that the wheels were locked behind the concrete barrier. He was afraid to try harder and risk rocking the car harder into the victim.

"Cap," Roy called out. "We've got to push this car back."

Hank motioned for the others to join Roy near the front of the car, positioning on both sides. With everyone in position Johnny pressed on the gas as they pushed and lifted, giving the car the ability to come up over the curb again and move on the road. The maneuver worked as Johnny watched Roy and Chet catch the man before he fell and lower him to the ground. However, the landing thud of the car had renewed the trapped dog's agitation. His powerful lunge towards Johnny's neck was faster than Vince's ability to apply his full body weight to the board and hold him back.

Roy lowered the limp man to the ground. A rapid assessment revealed his worse fears; he was now in full cardiac arrest. Directing Chet to begin compressions and Marco to get the oxygen tanks he opened up the radio link to Rampart for meds and fluids. However, it was the cry out from Johnny that sent a cold chill down his spine.

"CAPP!"

Hank was instantly at the driver's door pulling it open. Vince had managed to pin the dog at the neck with the end of the board, up against the side window, but its claws were dug into Johnny's back and neck. With one motion, Hank yanked the door open and pulled Johnny out by the collar of his shirt causing him to land with a thud on the pavement.

"Get out of there Vince!" Hank called out.

The warning wasn't necessary. As soon as Johnny was free Vince came out the side door, leaving the board behind and closing the dog back up in the car alone. Hank helped Johnny regain his footing as he stumbled around, still moving backward from the car. Once on his feet Hank whipped the medic around to face him and met the frantic brown eyes.

"Are you okay?!"

Johnny was reaching up, pawing at his shoulders trying to assess his own injuries. His skin was burning where the scratches had broken the skin.

"Did you get bitten?" Hanks concern was at peak now.

Johnny shook his head. "I don't, I don't think so. I think just scratched up." He looked over to Roy and turned to join him.

"Oh, no you don't," Hank stopped him. "You get these cleaned up right now." Hank motioned over to Mike. "Mike, can you grab the first aid kit?"

"Sure Cap," he said with a nod then jogged over to the squad for the box.

Only after cleaning the wounds and applying bandages did Hank let Johnny join Roy in packing the patient up for Rampart. Roy's job had been to stay focused on his patient, managing the code and getting him stabilized, but it didn't lessen his concern and guilt for Johnny's exposure to the rabid appearing dog.

"Animal control is on the way," Vince told Hank. "He'll be tested right away."

Hank watched with concern as Johnny climbed into the squad. "Thanks, Vince." He could only pray that first aid was all that John would need.

Johnny sat on the exam table and pulled his shirt off.

"Who have you been fighting?" Dixie said, eyeing the bruises on his shoulder, back and side.

Johnny stretched to see them. "Oh, those are old." He glanced from her to the ever watchful eyes of Roy. "I've been working around my place." He prayed she would take the hint.

Kelly Brackett palpated the side bruise. "Not bothering you?"

He shook his head. "Not at all. That one's from last week." Johnny chuckled. "Guess I'm better at rescue work than repairs."

"Didn't know working around your place could be so dangerous Johnny. Maybe, you should take it easy for a while," Dixie chided him.

"Oh, it's fine. You know me, Dix, I like helping out and keeping busy." His eyes widened at her in a silent stop it. "What about the scratches doc?"

Kel inspected them carefully. "I don't see any penetration marks like a bite, just scratches. We'll test the dog to be on the safe side though. I'm going to give you an antibiotic just as preventative, and I want you to keep those wounds clean and see me after your shift is over."

Johnny slid his shirt back on, making sure to not look back at Roy. "Sure thing doc." He was grateful when Roy followed Kel back out into the hallway though he didn't want to imagine what they were discussing. No doubt it was about him. Looking up he watched Dixie silently draw up the antibiotic injection and turn to him.

"Arm?"

"You know better than that," she smiled at him.

He slid off the table and proceeded to lower his trousers at the hip for her. "You take way too much pleasure in this Dixie."

The jab was quick and he turned around to buckle back up and tuck his shirt in. She was staring at him.

"What?"

"Exactly how long are you going to keep this up?"

"Dix, don't start okay? It's been a bad morning already." He knew what she was going to say, he'd already heard it several times before.

"Johnny, you know I care about you and seeing you constantly beat up is making me hurt too. When are you going to tell Roy?" Her eyes caressed him with genuine concern. "You know he'd be there to help you in a heartbeat."

"And that's why I can't tell him yet. Not yet Dix, I just need a little more time," his voice pleaded with her to hold his secret for a while longer.

She shook her head. "It's not my place to tell John Gage, but if you don't let those bruises heal before getting new ones I'm going to sing like a canary."

He smiled. "We'll, I do love to hear you sing, but let me pick the song this time."

She winked at him. "You better take care of yourself." She grabbed his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "If not, I think you may wind up giving your partner a heart attack."

Now, he was shaking his head. "He can read me like a damn book. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold him off."

"That means it's about time then."

"I know. Thanks, Dix."

The ride back to the station was quiet and Johnny wasn't sure which thing Roy was most upset by, the truck, the dog, the bites or the bruises. Whichever, it really didn't matter; there was no mistaking how upset his partner was at the moment.

"Boy, that was a crazy call huh?"

Roy didn't say anything and the silence was deafening.

***LA to Squad 51***

"51," Johnny replied.

"You are 10-8. Report to quarters."

Johnny shot a look over to Roy. "51," Johnny replied to base then sat back. "Wonder what this is about?"

"I think it's about a senior medic who's in that proverbial hot water," Roy quietly replied.

"Take a seat gentlemen," Hank greeted them.

Both men pulled up chairs and sat in silence.

"Mind telling me exactly what happened out there?"

It was rare that either man faced the wrath of their Captain, but it was obvious he was upset at how the call had gone.

Roy slid forward in his chair. "I take full responsibility, Cap."

"Wait now, responsibility for what? It was my idea," Johnny jumped in.

"I know, but I shouldn't have let you get in that situation to begin with."

Johnny pointed into the air. "That man was dying Roy, we both agreed the engine wouldn't make it in time and we had to try something."

Roy was getting frustrated now. "And closing you up in a car with a mad dog wasn't the answer, that thing could have..," he paused.

"But, he didn't. Now look, Roy, I knew what I was doing and I took the risk, so did Vince. And look, I'm here and I'm fine."

"You're covered in maul marks from a possibly rabid dog; I don't call that fine Johnny."

Hank sat back listening, waiting until he needed to intervene.

Johnny waved him off. "I'm not covered, I have four scratches and even Brackett said there were no bite marks."

Roy pushed back in the chair, running his fingers through his hair before looking back up at his best friend and partner. "You scared the hell out of me out there Johnny."

Johnny almost smiled. "We did what we had to do to save the patient, just like we always do Roy. I'm okay. It rattled me, I'll admit that, but I'm okay."

They both turned to Hank in anticipation for being chewed out.

"Well, glad that's settled. Now, my question. Dr. Brackett called concerned about your exam John. Did you get any of those bruises on the job?"

Johnny was shocked. "No, Cap, no, those are from stuff I'm doing around my place. I've not gotten hurt on the job."

"Because if you're hurt on the job I need to know, it's regulation and it's important that we follow through to make sure you're not seriously injured."

"Cap, they're not from the job, I promise. I'm just apparently a really bad handyman."

Hank stood up, prompting them to do the same. "Okay. The matter is settled. Report back available to dispatch."

Hank returned to paperwork, which only increased four-fold with a Code I during a run as the other two moved out into the bay.

"Johnny," Roy said as they walked towards the kitchen.

"Yea?"

"If there's something going on, outside work, that you need help with, you know you can come to me right?"

Johnny knew the question wasn't about helping fix broken faucets. Roy was now officially concerned that he was in some form of danger at home. He wanted to tell him what was going on, but he wasn't ready yet. For now, he just had to convince his friend that everything was okay.

"I know that, but everything's good. I promise."