AC2

Johnny wasn't exactly looking forward to going to work. He had seen that look on his partner's face before and knew he was in trouble. Thinking of calling in sick, he knew he wouldn't be doing anyone a favor. His lack of character ate at him.

His problem he had seen Roy bounce back after his ambulance accident. Roy was unflappable; nothing seemed to get to him. Not losing patients, Chet, nothing bothered his partner, except maybe for him.

Changing into his uniform, there was no sign of his partner and he reluctantly went into the bay, waiting roll call. Chet, Marco, Mike showed up and now Gage was getting worried. If Roy was sick, he would be lead man and it sent chills down his back.

Stanley came in with a frown.

"Roy won't be in. His wife is sick and had to go to the hospital," Hank started.

Gage could all ready feel the sweat on his back and noticed he had a hard time focusing.

"John, Brice will be coming in so your squad is down until he reports," Cap looked at the stricken paramedic.

"John?" Stanley noticed his paramedic was ashen faced.

"Sure Cap," Johnny forced out, feeling nausea he waited until chores were assigned and he quickly made it to the head. Wiping his mouth, he felt much better and then washed his face with cold water. HE could do this.

Brice showed up leaving the dark haired paramedic no choice. Showing him the squad, the perfect paramedic was all ready getting on his frayed nerves. The tones sounded and John slid into Roy's seat, the blond haired paramedic frowned as Gage headed towards their first call of the day.

Luckily for Gage the victim didn't need transport to Rampart and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"You okay Gage?" Craig looked at his temporary partner. "You know I heard some things about you."

"I could say the same about your Craig," John said more forcefully then he wanted. What he wanted to do was see what happened to Joanne. She was a friend as much as Roy and he would try calling Roy once back at the station.

"Look Gage I understand why you're upset with your partner gone. But Roy was much better partner, you must not get involved with your victim, otherwise you will be doomed," Brice said with confident.

"So tell me Brice do you get involved with anyone other than yourself?" John slammed the squad door and headed towards the phone. Putting his dime in he dialed the DeSoto house and the phone rang and rang and rang. After replacing the headset, Gage was now becoming worried. He found Hank in the office.

"Hey Cap," John walked towards Hank. "Did Roy say what was wrong with Joanne? I mean how serious it is?"

Hank shrugged, "I just know Roy was really upset and said he would call when he had a chance, so far he hasn't called."

"Any idea what hospital?" Johnny was getting concerned. He needed Roy here, now not the perfect paramedic.

"I'm sorry John. You know just as much as I do," Hank went back to the paper not before the tones sounded again.