O is for Outdoors

Part I

"Are you out of your mind, Roy?"

The paramedic team was on their way back to the station from Rampart. They were near the end of a very grueling rotation and looking very forward to a little time off. Roy didn't seem at all perturbed by his partner questioning his sanity.

"I don't see why you think it would be such a disaster, Junior. You both like fishing, right?"

"Well . . . yeah. But? Me? And Chet? Alone together?"

"How many people do you need? Are you planning to wrestle the fish?"

"I was referring to that fact that there wouldn't be anyone else around to keep us from getting totally on each other's nerves."

"One fishing trip. You don't enjoy his company, you don't invite him again. He doesn't enjoy yours, he won't accept again. Assuming he'd accept the first invitation."

Roy knew exactly what he was doing phrasing it that way. And, as he expected, Johnny rose to it and took the bait.

"What do you mean, assuming he'd accept? Why wouldn't he accept? He likes fishing."

"Well, sure he does. But he'd probably be suspicious."

"Of me?"

"Sure. You talk about getting even for the Phantom nailing you. He might figure that you've cooked up some scheme."

"You really think so?"

"It's not what I think - it's what Chet might think. You've said it before - his brain doesn't quite operate on the same frequency."

"His brain doesn't quite operate, period."

"Now see? That's the thing I can never figure out with you two. I've seen Chet when you get hurt - and I've seen you when Chet gets hurt. For two guys that pretend not to get along, you sure do worry about each other a lot."

"Spit it out, Roy. You're obviously going somewhere but I don't know where."

"I just think that maybe if you and Chet have a little time to talk, just the two of you, maybe you could figure each other out. Like us - we talk about different things when its just me and you than we do when all the other guys are around."

"Maybe . . . but what would we talk about? Not like Chester B. and I have all that much in common."

"Oh, come on, Johnny. The two of you aren't even two years apart in age. You're both single. You're bound to find some common ground somewhere. Hey, not like you have to take my advice. But you're the one that said you wanted to do some fishing and wanted a little company. And trust me, if Joanne didn't have me locked into a dentist appointment, I'd be the first to volunteer. I hate going to the dentist - which is why I know Joanne won't let me postpone it. She's used to me trying to stall my way out."

Johnny went quiet at that - which Roy knew meant that he was turning things over in his brain. So he added just one more light nudge.

"At least, you wouldn't have to worry about the Phantom popping up. What would Chet do? Blame a water balloon on a passing bear?"

The laughter sort of erupted out of Johnny on that mental image and Roy just grinned. The station was in sight now. He'd planted the seed and that was really all he could do.

As they headed into the kitchen area to grab some coffee, Johnny looked around. Mike had his head in a magazine, Cap had his door open as he whittled down the seemingly endless pile of paperwork, Marco was at the fridge pouring himself a glass of milk and Chet was on the couch with Henry completely filling his lap and apparently very content to let Chet rub his ears.

Passing the first cup of coffee to his partner, Roy turned just enough to hide a smile as Johnny started over toward Chet.

"Looks like Henry's decided that you're more comfortable than the couch."

"Being warmer than it is probably my advantage. How was the run, Gage?"

"Eh - trickiest part was getting the dad and mom to calm down. Kid was as cool as a cucumber. Would you believe he was the one reassuring his parents through the whole thing?"

"Crazy. Never know what you'll run across, do you?"

"Nope."

Silence took over again for a minute until Henry suddenly lifted his head and gave Chet a big swipe with his tongue across the Irishman's chin, causing laughter to erupt at the face Chet made on contact. Johnny reached over and gave Henry a scratch.

"Say, Chet - got any plans?"

"Naw, not really. You?"

"I was thinking about heading over to a spot I know. Do a little fishing. Want to come?"

"Sure. Who all is coming?"

"Counting you? Two of us."

To his surprise, Johnny did see the immediate shift in Chet from at ease to suspicious.

"Why?"

"Why not? You like fishing. Not like I'm going to ask someone that hates fishing."

He could practically see Chet searching for a semi-graceful way out and knew right then if he hadn't already said he didn't have plans, plans would have been invented spur of the moment. As it was, Chet finally just sat back - only to have Henry take another swipe at his chin.

"Hey, cut that out!"

That seemed to break the stalemate and Chet finally looked back up at Johnny.

"Alright. Sure. Fishing."

Even though he wasn't even looking that direction, Johnny could still feel the amusement in the blue eyes watching from across the room.