Captain's Folly

John Gage knew he must be in hell. Every part of his body hurt and he had just opened his eyes to a beautiful angel. He knew it was hell, because he hated hospitals, or rather to be a patient in one. When he was a paramedic it was sheer torture when he got hurt rescuing someone. He had heard the whoosh and beep of familiar machinery but knew it was hopeless he was dead and in hell. The sounds did nothing to calm him; his chest hurt the worst as he felt the machine pumping air into his chest. His arms were stationery by his sides, knowing there were a multiple of IVs in them. With the subdued lighting, he wondered if he was in I.C.U. His memory a blank except for large explosion which kept running through his mind.

"Janine," Nurse Applegate rushed to the I.C.U. station. "Get Dr. Brackett stat, John Gage just opened his eyes for a few seconds."

****

Dr. Brackett looked at his patient.

"C'mon Johnny open your eyes for me. You did it a little while ago," Kell asked softly of his patient. Quickly looking at his watch at the time and staring at his favorite paramedic.

Brackett! He hates me for leaving the program. No, not hate. Seriously disappointed.

"C'mon Johnny you can do it," Brackett asked a little bit more forcefully, holding his breath for some signs of life.

Opening his eyes, John stared at the blue eyes of the doctor and blinked a few times. Even his eyelashes hurt along with the subdued lighting; he could feel his eyes tearing up.

"Real good Johnny," Kell's voice broke. "Now let me see move your fingers and toes, k." He carefully watched, concentrating on his patient's condition.

His whole body hurt and Brackett wanted him to move. Forcing himself, Gage moved his fingers and toes sending squeals from the nurses. You think'd he done a miracle or something. But even that was totally exhausting, but he kept staring at Brackett's face.

"Real good Johnny," Brackett's eyes misted up. "You got some people very worried about you. You can go back to sleep now."

Closing his eyes John went back to sleep.

2 YEARS AGO

Johnny knew something had been on his partner's mind for awhile. Every time Roy looked at him he knew he wanted to say something. Now end of shift, his impatience was getting the best of him. He couldn't believe another year had gone by, sure there were good and bad days but he enjoyed being a paramedic. They were in the locker room, changing in street clothes as they went off shift.

"Roy," Johnny practically yelled. "Um. Roy." Gage leaned towards his partner's locker.

Roy looked up from tying his shoes, almost ready to leave in his street clothes.

"Um, how about I buy you breakfast?" Johnny smiled hoping to break the cool exterior of his partner. Never one to pry, the dark haired paramedic had a bad feeling about his partner of four years.

"Breakfast?" Roy shut his locker and looked surprised.

"Yeah breakfast, I know a joint not far from here, they make a mean Denver omelet." Gage finished dressing and smiled broadly; hoping Roy would take him up on his offer.

"I don't know Johnny it's just…"Roy hesitated, he hands finding the pockets of his jeans. Both men closed their lockers and headed towards the back of the station.

"C'mon Roy when was the last time we went out for breakfast? My treat." John followed Roy out of the station to the parking lot.

Roy looked at Johnny with his blue eyes, Johnny's impatience was showing.

"I'm sorry Johnny, I got things to do and…" Roy said palms open.

"Okay then, what is on your mind Roy? You've been distracted for the last few weeks so give? You haven't worked on the fire truck once and every time I call you're busy. So spill partner," John finally confronted his partner.

DeSoto looked at the station and then at Gage.

"Um, remember that promise you made me make about the engineer's promotion?" Roy crossed his arms and frowned.

"Yeah, of course I do and I meant it too," John searched his partner's eyes, his heart leaping into this throat.

"Will I taking it Johnny, we really need the money and I just can't pass it up this time," Roy stuck his hands in his pockets and smiled.

Johnny ran his hand through his hair. "Then congratulations on in order," he pasted a smile on his face, "Then let me buy you breakfast then."

"No, Johnny I really can't, see ya next shift," Roy climbed into his car, leaving Johnny standing in front of his; the rest of A shift had left.

John stood there stunned, not believing what his soon to be ex partner had said. He knew with a wife and kids came extra responsibilities and now Roy was leaving. Sighing in climbed into his Rover and knew he needed a break, two day of not thinking of anything.

****

Back on shift, Johnny kept his talking to a minimum, only commenting on patients and victims, Gage watched as Roy told the staff of Rampart of his decision. He could tell Brackett and Early were disappointed since it had been Roy who had recruited him and was gung ho on the program in the first place. At the station his partner was spending more time with Mike since Roy already seemed to stop being a paramedic and becoming an engineer.

Seeing other promotions, Roy would be going to the first available station and shift, he knew it wouldn't be long since retirements always went in waves, the same would be for Johnny and his new junior partner, probably fresh out of the paramedic program.

Gage kept to himself taking refuge working on the old engine they had acquired awhile back. It had been his idea until he convinced Roy to buy the old fire truck for $80.00. Now it was a foolish gesture, Johnny thinking the old truck would help bond his friendship even more with his partner.

****

It had been a week since Roy had left to Station 36 and the C-shift. Feeling lost, Johnny found comfort working on the old engine. But now it seemed to be a solo effort, DeSoto had gone MIA from 51 completely.

John Gage slowly removed the tarp from the old engine he and Roy had been working on. However, lately it had been him working alone, since his partner was now an engineer at station 36 on the C shift. He knew his partner would eventually leave, didn't they always. His partner at 10 retired to be replaced by someone younger than him now Roy had moved on and he was stuck with the old 1932 engine. Sighing he put the tarp back over the fire truck and decided to head for home. He would have to make a decision soon about the truck and his career.