Andy Palmer cringed inwardly as his partner; John Gage made another crack about Roy DeSoto. He could see their trainee was uncomfortable but the man said nothing. Since he had been Gage's partner, he had never seen him so vicious with his remarks, especially regarding Roy DeSoto. DeSoto was known in the department as the champion of the paramedic program and pushed hard to get funding and legislature backing, now here was his partner cracking jokes at DeSoto's expense. The young paramedic shook his head, wondering where the professional John Gage had gone to.

Pulling back into the garage, they were just in time for lunch. Bradley, in his defense made a quick exit, leaving the two paramedics together and Gage laughing at his own joke.

"Hey Johnny got a minute," the blonde eyed blue man called to his partner.

"You know Andy, I'm really hungry. Guess it's been hours since I had anything to eat," Gage turned to the day room but Palmer placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Gage we have to talk!" Andy whispered.

"All right. All right," Johnny reluctantly followed him into the back of the bay. "What?" The dark haired man shrugged, clueless to his partner's pain.

"Don't you think you're laying on it a bit thick about DeSoto?" Andy's eyes flared at the lack of decorum of his partner.

"Thick? Well now Andy if you remember I worked with the guy," Gage emphasized pointing a finger at Palmer's chest. "Are you afraid of him? Because I sure as hell am not."

"No, but you know Bradley was tau…" Palmer could swear he was seeing steam rise from Gage's head.

"Yeah well, DeSoto isn't God Palmer. IT's hard to believe but DeSoto's human like the rest of us. Just like I told Bradley all the screw ups DeSoto made and…"

"Well you just cool it at least, Gage? Christ, you're making us look bad. You want us to get another trainee don't you? You know what…" Palmer pleaded hoping to calm down his agitated partner.

"I could care less what anyone says about us Andy, hell look at all the citations and commendations we've gotten if that isn't proof then.."

"Gentlemen," Stanley interrupted their heated discussion. "Lunch is waiting and I like my shift to eat together."

"Sure thing Cap," the blond gave his best smile as the Hank escorted the men to lunch.

John ate quietly as the rest of the crew shared conversation. Chet, of course, held court, asking Bradley all sorts of personal questions. Matt answered them, albeit briefly, not sure how the other members of the crew felt about DeSoto. Everyone in the department knew this had been DeSoto's home station and knew about most of the shift crew too.

Bradley carefully sidestepped any questions about DeSoto then excused himself with having to study. Once dishes were done, Gage and Palmer resumed their conversation outside from prying eyes.

"All I'm saying Johnny is will just give the guy a chance," Palmer bounced a basketball hoping to cover their conversation about a sacred cow.

"Well let me tell you," John took the ball from Palmer and made a basket. "What you learn in the classroom is different than in the field. It isn't all sterile, controlled and nice in the real world." He tossed the ball to Andy.

Bouncing it a few times, Palmer looked at his conflicted partner. There had been many rumors floating around the department after DeSoto went back to the Paramedic program and he had to admit he was a bit nervous when he drawn Gage as his partner. No one really knew the truth since both parties had refused to talk.

"Don't you think we all know it Gage? We're not children," Andy hissed as he threw the ball and missed, Gage caught it easily.

"Well Juni..." John stopped, held the ball in his hands and closed his eyes. God he hurt, but he had learned to hide it well. Now he had let his precious guard down and he had shaken up his partner. Damn. Stupid. Taking deep breaths Gage found his center and pushed back all the pain, hurt and fear into his hiding place. Smiling he looked at the worried Palmer.

"You're right Andy. I have been riding the guy too hard. I'll lighten up," John gave the ball back to Andy. "I…I got some shoes to shine. See ya at dinner unless we get a call."

****

Bradley was worried about his evals after his six weeks with Squad 51, the first shift had unnerved him, but things returned to normal afterward finding the paramedic team all he had read about them.

Knocking on DeSoto's office door, he walked in finding Roy hunched over paperwork.

"Take a seat," the sandy haired man pointed to a chair in front of his desk, trying hard to hide his anticipation of hearing Bradley's reaction to Gage and Palmer.

"Thanks," Matt inhaled wondering if he was going to be placed.

"Well I have your evals right here," Roy picked up a folder with Bradley's name on it. "You did very well."

"Really?" Matt exhaled surprised at what he had heard.

"Was there a problem Matt?" Roy could see the slight fear etched on the new

paramedic's face. "Anything you want to talk about?" The older man could tell Bradley had been tense.

"No, it's just," the man clenched his hands together. "Well my first shift was really strange. I mean I had heard Gage was a nice guy but my first impression wasn't so hot." Bradley hoped DeSoto wouldn't inquire further since he really didn't want to embarrass Gage.

"Strange how?" Roy hunched further over his desk.

"OH, it's just Gage was making these weird remarks," Bradley smiled.

"Well Gage was always high strung," DeSoto explained having a slight idea what Johnny may have said seeing how uncomfortable his former student had become.

"Well after Palmer and the Cap talked to him he seemed to settle down. That's all. I guess it had been awhile since they had a trainee. Yeah, that was probably it," Matt sighed hoping Roy accepted his reasons.

"Yeah sometimes Johnny could get on a roll and you couldn't make him stop," Roy coughed and then pulled out the rest of Bradley's file. "Um you've been assigned to Station 56; you'll be partner with Banner. He's a good man."

"That's great Roy. So I made it, really?" Bradley stood up. "Well this call for a celebration. Could I buy you a drink?" The relieved man looked at his former instructor.

"No, you go ahead. I'm going home to my wife and kids," Roy smiled, shook Matt's hand and then Bradley left the office. The sandy haired man looked at all the uncompleted paperwork sitting on his desk. He would have new class of trainees and it would start all over again. Sighing heavily he wondered if the sacrifice was worth it.