Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Emergency or any of its characters. I promise to return them unharmed when my imagination is finished with em.

The Long Road Home

Written by: Kianda

Chapter Four

Johnny had a very bad feeling. Anytime kids were involved it raised their alert level significantly. A.C Middle, he remembered, the largest and newest of the middle school's consisted of two and a half stories. The building was all brick with large windows.

Stopping the rig and squad on the service road as they'd been advised, they could see the aerial ladder from 85's rig partially deployed and still. They were met by the Capt. of 85's who brought them up to speed.

"We attempted to raise the aerial ladder Hank, but the young man became agitated warning us to stay back. He's allowed only Mrs. Sanchez, the vice principle to stay up top with him. He has clear sight to everything around him and there's only one access door. Our options are limited here. How do you want to run with it?"

Hank wore a grim expression; conditions and time weren't on friendly terms this day it seemed. "Have your men set up the life net. Marco, Chet, help 85's men. Mike stay with the engine I may need you up top. Gage, DeSoto lets go meet the Principle."

Hank and his paramedics met Principal Matthew Rodriguez and Officer Sam Sheppard, LAPD.

Rodriguez informed them, "As a school administrator I've seen kids pull some crazy stunts but I've a gut feeling this one's for real." Guiding them to a back stairwell he held the door open for everyone to pass through. "Eileen, my vice principal is with him now. The child attends school here, sixth grade. Our guidance councilor tried talking with him on Friday; his teachers noticed his despondency and informed her. She did have a discussion with him but it yielded little insight as to what troubled the young man. We tried calling his parents on Friday, never reached them. We'd planned on contacting the parents later this morning to schedule a conference. I'm not sure how he managed to gain access, the roof door is normally kept locked."

They were climbing the stairs.

"A parent dropping off his daughter, informed me he spotted a child up on the roof. I came up to investigate and sure enough, there he was just sitting. As soon as he saw me I was told to back off; I didn't want to take any chances, I called you guys in. I'm hoping he'll respond to you. Classes having started, I didn't want the student body alarmed by having them evacuate the building. Instead, we've moved those children on this side of the building to the gymnasium for a student assembly. I got to warn you, it's going to become crazy with the school being inside a residential area. Anytime fire trucks pull up with sirens, parents demand to know what's going on." They followed him up the second flight of stairs.

"Where exactly is the boy?" Hank asked.

"On the main part of the roof, he chose the tallest point. The roof is over our cafeteria. I'd say he's been up here no more than twenty minutes."

"Do you know who the boy is?"

"Ryan Clayton. We've made contact with the mother. A police cruiser was sent to pick her up and bring her here. The father couldn't be reached by telephone, works in construction and is away."

Johnny heart barreled to his throat upon hearing the name. Roy looked over at his partner who'd turned white. "Roy."

"I know, let's just get up there."

"Do you know this child?" The Principal asked Roy.

"We've met him briefly."

"Then do you know what made him come up here?"

"We're about to find out." Hank stated.

They were at the roof door and quietly pushed it open. Johnny could see Eileen Sanchez standing about twelve feet away from the upset boy.

"Ryan you don't want to do this son."

"I have too," He tearfully replied.

"Do you want to tell me why?"

"You won't understand, no one understands!"

"Help me to understand Ryan."

Hank estimated the space from roof to ground to be at least thirty five feet, with nothing to impede the boys fall. He also noted as predicted the rigs started to draw a crowd.

Anxious to make contact Johnny said, "Cap let me try to talk to him."

"Take it slowly," Hank advised in a low voice.

Upon seeing the group Ryan stood up, sending everyone's heart racing. The determined paramedic took a step out into the open.

"Take it easy Ryan, relax no ones gonna do anything." Johnny cautioned. "I just wanna talk."

"S-stop, don't come any closer," Ryan stammered. "Why is everybody up here? I want 'em to go!"

Johnny soothed, "Aright, Ryan, I'll ask 'em to leave us alone, but I need my partner and captain to stay." He motioned for Eileen to back up, quietly asking her to go inside with Sheppard and Rodriguez.

Hank turned to Roy, weighing the options, "The kid's scared and edgy. There's no way were gonna get the air ladder up." Raising the HT Hank spoke into it, "Stoker we need rope on the double."

"Engine 51 10-4"

Johnny kept his voice neutral. "I wouldn't be so nervous if ya stayed still Ryan."

As Eileen passed Roy she inquired, "Have you had any experience with sort of thing?"

"Yes Ma'am we're trained to deal with situations like these." Sounding more confident then actually feeling it Roy internalized what he'd really wanted to say. This wasn't the youngest one they'd ever had a call out on, but he still had difficulty wrapping his head around the fact, at eleven years old, this child sought to end it. If he fell or jumped he would likely get his wish.

Eileen and Matthew followed the officer into the building where they stood anxiously by the door.

"Okay Ryan, my partner and captain will stay back. It's just gonna be you and me." Johnny confirmed.

"You're one of the fireman who came to my house." Ryan's reply more of a statement rather than a question.

"My names Johnny remember?"

"Yep." Johnny's heart beating hard watching as the boy looked over the edge. "My dad smacked my mom after you left. He told her it was cuz she called you."

Johnny's jaw clenched hearing the pain and confusion in the young voice. A sudden recollection of his father in a rage came to mind. He physically flinched momentarily distracted. Johnny pushed away the unpleasant memory.

"Why are ya up here Ryan?"

"I dunno exactly," the confused boy stated, "I thought maybe… Thinkin' on makin' it stop."

What is it ya wanna stop?"

"The whole thing", the young boy exclaimed. "My dads yelling, my moms crying, she doesn't think I hear, but I do." Ryan sniffed wiping his nose with his hand. "It must be my fault cuz I'm always makin' my dad trip about something. I just want it ta stop."

Mike came unto the roof with the rope in hand. Standing more to the side, Johnny could see him out of the corner of his eye. Cap motioned for Mike to return inside but stay close to the door.

Options were swiftly running through the paramedic's head. The roof being wide open to view didn't offer the chance for Roy to come up from behind and grab Ryan. Besides, precariously perched on the edge they way he was proved too dangerous an option. The ladder was already attempted. No one would be able to climb up from below since the distressed boy could see everyone and everything from his vantage point. One option remained viable, talk the schoolboy down.

At the sound of movement Ryan sharply brought up his head.

"Easy," Johnny cautioned.

Roy watched in apprehensive silence. A surprise grab was out of the question unless Ryan could be totally distracted which seemed unlikely. The boy sat on the edge. Keep him talking junior. His partner needed to convince Ryan there was hope, that things weren't as bad as they seemed right now. He couldn't help think of his own son Christopher. He felt an infinite sadness for Ryan who thought he had no other alternative.

In earnest Johnny asked, "Ryan what is it you want your dad to stop doing?"

Agitated and still standing Ryan took a baby step back, again looking over the edge.

Swallowing hard, sweat began beading on the stressed paramedic's face a tension headache blossomed. He had an idea but he needed to distract Ryan long enough to be able to play it out. He motioned Cap discreetly, he wanted the rope.

Wiping tears from his eyes with the back of his hand, Ryan sullenly answered, "Nuthin'. Just forget it."

"Okay," Johnny appeased, "we'll talk about something else."

Still standing Ryan hadn't moved.

"While we talk would ya do something for me?" Johnny asked, playing a part. "I ain't as brave as you. Move a little away from the edge? It will help me feel less nervous. Heights aren't my thing ya know? I can't look down without my stomach wanting to come right back up. I'd really like to put some rope around me." This statement distracted the boy for the moment; he actually moved a little away from the edge in surprise.

"You rescue people and you're afraid of heights? No way." Plainly, Ryan wore the look of a person unsure whether to believe his story or not.

That' a boy, junior. Roy approved. Telling Ryan he was scared and looking the part had the boy engaged and interested. For the moment, intent on Johnny's plight he moved away from the ledge. The truth though, when handling ropes, rigging and climbing, none did it with more ease or expertise then Johnny. Heights didn't faze him, so on most dangerous rescues the man always was first in line, to climb or repel.

"Sure," he told the astonished boy, "I always have a rope around me for safety during rescue's involving height."

Intrigued the boy asked, "If you're scared of heights then how come you're talkin ta me?"

Johnny didn't miss a beat. "It's my job and 'sides how else am I gonna get over my fear?"

As quick as that the boy dismissed Johnny's explanation, "Ah man that's lame! Don't try and con me. Ya think I'm stupid or something? Ryan's voice rising with each syllable, "You don't get it do ya? I come down I'll be sent home. My dad will really be mad after he finds out what happened! He'll blame it on my mom and then she'll be in trouble. If I don't come home she won't hafta worry, she can leave."

"Ryan, this isn't like some cartoon where you get up again. You do this, it's permanent," Johnny's head pounded. "What if you could live with another family for awhile?"

Ryan relaxed enough for Johnny to take a breath. He hadn't realized he'd been holding it.

"I wish I could live with my cousins, cuz my aunt, she's cool."

"Maybe something can be worked out. Whuddaya think?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nobody's gonna listen I'm just a kid."

"I'm listening Ryan," Johnny said softly watching the young boys legs inch back toward the ledge.

Hank quietly told Roy. "We have to get a rope around John, while we have this window of opportunity."

Hank cautiously called, "Son?" making a slow approach inching forward his hands moving in a calming motion he spoke kindly to the boy. "I'm Captain Hank Stanley, this man's…" he hesitated a moment before he said, "boss. He's not trying to con you; He'd really feel less nervous and I'd worry less, if you let my man use the safety rope. You want him to be safe right?"

Ryan gave Hank a long searching glance. "The old guy gonna hassle ya later if you don't use it?" troubled eyes switching to Johnny.

"Cap's a real stickler for safety and only doing his job. If ya don't want me to..." he shrugged. Johnny had to hand it to Cap for his quick thinking.

With a disgusted glance directed at Hank, Ryan agreed. "Kay, you can use it if it will make him feel better." Ryan announced. "You're cool for a grownup. I don't want the geezer to yell cuz it doesn't feel good, yah know?"

Hank eyebrows rose at being called a geezer.

If the situation weren't so dire, Johnny would have laughed at the look on Caps face. Ryan may sometimes talk and act well beyond his years, but Johnny had to remember he was dealing with a young, hurting, conflicted boy. He wanted desperately to be able to tell Ryan it would be okay, his father would no longer be allowed anywhere near them, but the reality for Ryan told a different story.

Handing Johnny the rope Caps words reached him quietly. "You're doing everything right. Keep it up."

Talking with Ryan the entire time the expert climber tied himself in. He didn't need to see what his partner was doing, he already knew, the trust they shared long established and proved.

Roy picked up the end and securely wrapped the rope around his own harness making sure Johnny had just enough lead rope in case he needed it. The senior man was uneasy with this set up. Under normal conditions Johnny would control his own rate of descent, with the help of the anchor. If Johnny was forced to make a sudden grab for the boy he'd have no control. Dependent on the one line, and it being a windy morning, had Roy fretting. Hopefully Johnny's power of persuasion would have Ryan peacefully coming away from the edge. Roy sighed, as tenuous as this state of affair seemed, it proved to be better than nothing at all. Ryan sat in the driver's seat with his foot on the gas pedal.

"Do ya mind if I sit down? I'm kinda tired." Johnny asked.

Roy watched as Johnny moved his neck from side to side to release tension. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. Taking a good look, Roy could see the fatigue lines pronounced on his face and wondered just how much playacting went into his performance.

"You can sit if you wanna." Ryan informed him, "but not too close to me."

"Thanks." He smiled to show his appreciation and squatted down in place every muscle in his body alive and ready to spring into action at a moments notice.

Keep it up John, he's beginning to trust you. Hank watched and admired the way his man could relate to the youngster.

Trying to get Ryan to relax further he inquired, "You like baseball?"

"Who doesn't? Baseball is cool."

"Yeah."

"I like to go to the games, play catch, only..."

"Only?" Johnny prompted after hearing the sad tone return.

Ryan voice became flat as he answered, "Dad doesn't play with me. If I ask, he gets angry. He says playing catch is a waste of time."

Moving the conversation back to the main reason they'd been called to this roof, Johnny asked, "What is it you want?"

"For somebody to understand."

Unexpectedly, Johnny's ugly past emerged, holding the unprepared paramedic in thrall. He felt his insides quivering. In flashes he heard the sound of the belt making contact with his body, an enraged face and voice telling him he'd learn respect, his pleas for it to stop, going unanswered. The memories threatened to render him useless. What's more, the terrible sense he could do nothing to prevent it, caused his headache to ruthlessly pulse making him wince and feel queasy. He tried to block the horrid pictures to no avail.

Unsure what was happening but seeing an aggrieved expression growing more pronounced on his friends face had Roy calling sharply, "Johnny what's wrong?"

The spell broken, breathing hard, Johnny pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm fine. I'm okay." He waved off his captain, who started toward him. Taking a deep breath, he resharpened his focus.

"The geezer was tellin' the truth. You are scared!"

For a second the beset paramedic forgot the question he'd asked so he said, "You can't stay up here forever."

Sniffling, "I know it'll be over soon." Johnny's stomach tightened. Ryan said those frightening words with little emotion.

51's paramedic needed some way to get through. "What will it take to get you off this ledge safely?"

"Nuthin', cause it don't matter no more."

"Ryan, it matters to more people than ya think. To me, your friends, your mother… how do ya think she's gonna feel if you jump?" The words were said gently, Johnny not wanting to appear confrontational.

Shrugging and looking lost, "I don't know."

"I know Ryan, she'll blame herself."

The upset youngster exclaimed, "She worries all the time about me! Dad's grouchy, and always drinking. He's at us, for nuthin' he's a drag. My mom tries to stay out of his way but nuthin' she does is good enough for him. She stay's cuz of me. If I'm not around maybe she could leave. Why does he gotta yell all the time? I just want a normal dad." Ryan stopped talking and played with his cast a visual reminder his family needed help.

Not once had Ryan stated his father hit him. Johnny needed to confirm his suspicions. "Does you're dad hit you Ryan?"

The traumatized boy hung his head and said nothing.

Johnny understood the feeling of total out of control helplessness abuse creates; thinking you're the only one going through it, ever hopeful it will stop until the next time the drinking starts, and the belt or hand strikes.

"We can get help for you and your mom Ryan, even your dad. It doesn't have to be like this."

Ryan's eyes full of sorrow, widened in forlorn hope. Johnny thought he'd finally broken through. "Why don't you come away from the ledge?"

Johnny could see the boy wanted to believe him, his resolve for being on the roof weakening. "Ryan what do ya say?"

Before he answered a black and white pulled to a stop diverting their attention. Behind the cruiser a media truck parked. Johnny leaned closer to the boy; Ryan's mother got out of the patrol car and looked up.

"No!" She screamed. "Ryan what are you doing?" The situation went from bad to worse in a heartbeat.

"Look at me Ryan! Not at your mother." Johnny demanded.

Suddenly Ryan stiffened and jumped to his feet sending Johnny into adrenaline overload, "Whatcha gone and done?" he yelled. Seeing the net for the first time shouted angrily, "Go away! Then at Johnny, "I thought you were gonna be different you tricked me! No one understands!"

In a last ditch effort Johnny impulsively reached out, oblivious to everyone but the boy. "No! I understand ..." Johnny's heart pounding so hard it felt like it was beating outside of his chest as he struggled with the words, "I -I've been were you are. God, I know Ryan, I know cuz, it happened to me... I can help you!"

Ryan no longer listened.

Hank and Roy looked at one another stunned, unsure of what they'd just heard. Did they just hear Johnny say he'd been abused?

Adrenaline can alter how you perceive time. Sometimes it can appear as if it moves at the speed of light, at others times appearing as if it were trapped inside in a bubble slowly floating about, or not moving at all. To the black-haired paramedic, time stood still, the air around him charged with electricity, every nerve ending in his body tingling. His mind closed off every distraction fine tuning it to the boy and what he'd do.

Ryan gazed at the distressed paramedic, his eyes displaying an eerie vacancy. Without another word and as nimble as the young can be, Ryan took a small step down from the ledge and lunged in the opposite direction intending to jump just outside the net's safety zone. His mother's hysterical screams could be heard from down below joined with alarmed shouts from the men handling the net and the crowd of onlookers.

"Ryan!" Johnny shouted.

His shift-mates, the crew of 85's, the crowd of bystanders, the media who had camera's rolling, and Ryan's mother on the ground watched in fascinated horror, as the fireman made a leap for the boy and both came flying off the ledge.

As Ryan jumped, the adrenaline pumped paramedic barely managed to seize the wildly struggling child around the waist, his long legs immediately encircling the boy's lower body locking him in an iron grip while his arms hugged and protected the thin body. His helmet flew from his head and his hands slipped on the rope. Much to close to the edge the momentum carried them over. As the rope swung in a wide arc from the energy of the lunge, Johnny steeled himself for what would come. They were going to strike the building, and strike it hard.

Determined to break contact Ryan refused to stay still. "Lemme go!" he screamed.

Johnny struggle to maintain control. The rope twisted, turning his body. Ryan began to slip. The line pulled tight and they were forcefully brought up against the side of the building. He couldn't do a thing to shield his body, not with Ryan in his arms. He had no control over were they landed. He barely had time to register his legs crashing through glass, feeling stinging pain, followed instantly by his back, while his head met the solid surface of the building. Sun bursts danced before his eyes. He made a desperate effort to retain his grip as the jarring impact, tore both breath and strength from him. The boy slid from his arms. Horrified he watched Ryan fall as consciousness ebbed away.

Mike and Samuel had run from just inside the doorway when they saw Ryan stand and start yelling. Hank and Roy held unto what was virtually Johnny's life line. When Johnny lunged for the boy they planted their feet as Mike and Samuel grabbed the slack in the rope which stopped the free fall. The sound of shattering glass, and a loud thwack, as Johnny's body contacted the surface of the building had many on the ground wincing. The rescuer went limp. Ryan fell. It was over in seconds.

Ryan's mother collapsed screaming hysterically.

Chet was down next to her trying to offer comfort. "He's okay ma'am you're boy's gonna be okay."

Ryan, by a very narrow margin, landed into the net. The shaken men holding the net administered to the still struggling boy. Everyone's attention fixed on Johnny. Marco ran for the equipment off the squad. They were going to need it.

All four men still held onto the rope. "Go Roy." Hank ordered. They were to far back to see what happened. Roy disconnected from the rope quickly, How had it gone south so fast? Running to the edge he peered over.

Ryan lay in the net and was being looked after. Roy's mouth went dry as he observed his partner's motionless body. "Johnny!" He yelled. His partner's words from earlier in the morning suddenly replayed in his mind. One of these days Chet, something is gonna happen to this easy mark... Roy unsteadily called, "He's out Cap. We'll need to lower him down!"

"Engine 51 we are going to lower Gage to you."

An ambulance was dispatched.

Carefully Johnny was lowered. An examination revealed multiple tiny lacerations on both legs and back from where he'd impacted the window. They were bits and pieces of glass embedded in the wounds but nothing terribly deep. His pupil response was unequal, he had a concussion. After taking vitals and relaying the information to Rampart an IV was established, a c-collar secured, and the out cold paramedic was gently laid on a stretcher. His worried shift-mates watched as Johnny moaned, opened his eyes, stated his head hurt and went out again. He was loaded into the ambulance.

A shaking hand on Roy's arm delayed him from following. He stared into the anguished eyes of Ryan's mother. "I'm so sorry this happened."

Roy worried and upset replied impersonally, "Me too Ma'am. You've got a second chance to help your boy, find the courage." She took a visible step back.

Hank standing close by monitoring the situation overheard Roy's cold reply. "DeSoto!" he called sharply. Roy giving his captain a fleeting glance stepped into the ambulance.

Ryan refused to speak to anyone, especially his badly frightened mother now seated in the front of the ambulance.

After checking the drip on Johnny's IV, Roy began another set of vitals. He kept hearing Johnny's words repeatedly, "I've been were you are. I understand because it happened to me."

"C'mon junior, wake up."

As he lay quietly on the other stretcher Ryan tried to be invisible. He didn't like the siren, it was loud. Disheartened the eleven year old was confused. He should have jumped right away it would be all over now, he'd been such a chicken. Then the firemen started talking to him and he and he didn't know what to do. He watched as the one called Roy took care of his friend. He looked really worried.

Ryan broke his silence, "I didn't mean for him to get hurt mister. Is he gonna be okay?"

As Roy switched his gaze to the sad eyed young boy, he inhaled sharply. The look mirrored one he'd seen in Johnny's on rare occasion.

Because of Ryan, Johnny lay injured, but he couldn't blame the boy. Ryan was a victim too. Pulling his thoughts together he said, "He'll be okay. The doctors at Rampart will take good care of him. Don't worry."

"When he's better will ya tell him I'm sorry?"

"Sure, I'll tell him."

Once at Rampart, Dixie instructed Roy to put Johnny in treatment room two. Ryan went into four. A doctor from pediatrics called in by Dr Bracket, along with a child psychologist was waiting to examine the boy. Child protection services had been contacted. Ryan's mother accompanied her son as far as the treatment room door. Dixie halted her from entering and directed her to the waiting room. Officer Sheppard having followed the ambulance escorted the upset woman to ask some questions. After speaking with Ryan's doctors, who'd told him they would be keeping Ryan for psychological evaluation, Roy entered exam room two.

Quietly he hovered out of the way watching as Dr. Kelly Brackett examined his partner.

"Johnny, its Doctor Brackett." Brackett leaned over the unconscious man checking his pupils. "He has a sizable lump and contusion on the back of his head." Briefly looking up he questioned, "Roy did he vomit at all?"

"No," the subdued paramedic answered, "Other than briefly coming around telling me his head hurt, he's been unresponsive."

"Johnny I need you to open you're eyes." Brackett spoke firmly again. The dark haired paramedic didn't flinch. Brackett frowned down at his inert patient. "He's really out of it," He said more to himself then to the worried medic, when he rubbed hard on Johnny's sternum inducing a feeble moan.

Joe Early entered the room asking "What do we have Kel?" faltering a step he realized who lay upon the gurney. Masking his emotions he continued to the unconscious paramedic's bedside. "What happened?"

The door opened wide to allow the portable x-ray unit to pass through.

"I want a complete skull and spine series Dan. He has glass embedded in his legs and upper back, get pictures of those areas." Brackett informed the x-ray tech. "I need them developed right away."

He filled Joe in on Johnny's condition. Dr. Early did his own cursory check of the unconscious man.

"Why hasn't he come around yet?" Roy asked apprehensively moving toward the door to give the x-ray tech room to work.

The kindly older doctor looked at the anxious medic. "I'll admit it's a bit of a mystery Roy. All indicators suggest he should have come around. His pressure is holding steady, there's been no difficulty breathing, and he hasn't seized or vomited which are all good signs as you know. We'll have more information once I've seen his x-rays. There's nothing you can do for him now. Go grab some coffee, fill your crew mates in if they've arrived. I'll let you know as soon as I have something definite."

Roy knew when he was being kicked out.

Dixie came into the room. Her troubled eyes softened as she looked toward Johnny. "Kel, a representative from the Department of Health and Welfare is on the phone."

"Dix let 'em know I'll call them back presently." Brackett's attention once again focused on his paitent.

"Okay my friend, lets find out what's going on in that head of yours and remove this glass."