A/N: Yeah I know it's been a long time since I've written a chapter, but I've started NanoWrimo, so my focus has really been that for the past week or so. I apologize for the long wait. I was really hoping that this would be the last chapter, but that didn't happen. I think I will have one more and then the epilogue.

Starlight_Guardian: Thank you so much! I really see that sense of brotherhood in the series as its suppose to be. The child really bonds them together, huh? I hope it's not been too predictable. Thanks for reading!

Jada951: yeah, a lot of sad memories for Johnny. I think this chapter will answer your question though.

Thanks again to those who read, fave, and alert this story, you are very much appreciated!

Chapter 5

Roy Desoto sat in the office, tugging on his tie and rubbing the back of his neck. Joanne sat next to him, and placed a calm hand on his to reassure him.

"Honey, don't be nervous." she said gently.

A moment later, a tall blond lady in a ugly brown business suit entered the office holding a manilla colored folder.

"Mr. and Mrs. DeSoto?" They stood up to greet her, the high pitched voice almost made him wince, "I'm Alicia Hoget with California Children and Family services." She shook hands with each of them and gestured for them to sit again. "I understand that you wish to foster a little girl in the State's care."

"Uh..yes m'am." Roy answered calmly, "Her name is Amy Ramero. She was made a ward of the state after being released from Rampart General."

The social worker's eyebrows rose with surprise, "I'm surprised you know so much about this case."

"Well m'am, I'm a firefighter paramedic of Los Angles county. The baby was dropped off at our station. Actually, she was discovered by my paramedic partner John Gage. But he's 24, so the state won't consider him for fostering. "

"I see..." The lady said quietly, "You realize that she is of.." The social worker looked at the file, "mixed heritage?"

"Yes..." Roy responded, "So is my best friend John, he's half Native American."

"We want to foster and eventually adopt the baby because she is without a family now, her parents were killed in a fire that Roy and Johnny responded to. And we want to adopt her because we don't feel its because she half this or half that, but just a little girl who's in need of a home. From what Roy's told me, because of certain prejudices, that baby may not ever be fostered or even adopted. We both feel, as do the men of the station, that it isn't right." Joanne explained.

Ms, Hoget's eyebrows rose in surprise, a smile increasing on her features, "That is a very good response indeed."She replied nodding to each of them. "Well, I will ask some further questions for the paperwork and then we will proceed further." She pulled out a sheet, took up a pen, and then glanced from it to the couple. "Your ages?"

"Uh-I'm 31 and Joanne is 30." Roy responded

"Any experience with children?"

" Yes, we have two kids." Joanne answered, "Christopher who's five, and Jennifer, who is three."

"How many years have you two been married?"

"10 years." Roy replied.

"11, dear." His wife corrected gently which made his cheeks crimson.

"I guess I don't really need to ask this one for you Mr. DeSoto, since I already know the answer given his job, but I would like to pose it on Mrs. DeSoto. Any experience with CPR and water safety?"

"Yes," Joanne answered honestly, "Knowing what kinds of rescues my husband responds to, and having children of my own, I have taken CPR courses and taken my kids to the Y for swimming and water safety lessons."

Half an hour later, the questioning completed, the social worker stood, as did the couple. "Thank you very much Mr. and Mrs. DeSoto. I will submit these papers and we'll continue to the next step. "

Both walked out of the office feeling if not less nervous, than a little just a little excited. As Roy took Joanne's hand she glanced at him and he returned it with a wink.

More than a week went by, and Roy, as well as the members of Station 51, were feeling a sort of tension building. Roy had not heard back from California services. The couple had done the home study and completed even more paperwork, background checks, and reference interviews from the men of Station 51.

"By the way, I wanted to thank all of you for helping with the reference checking."

"It's no problem, Roy, we're happy to do it." Mike pipped up.

"Why do you choose to foster and not adopt right away, Roy?" Marco had asked him as they enjoyed their first meal of the day after an early morning rescue.

"Well, the state re-reimburses fostering parents who take on the responsibility. With that money, along with my check, we'll be able to save for the adoption."

"You haven't heard from them at all, Roy?" Cap asked as they all sat sipping their morning coffee.

"No I haven't, Cap," Roy replied, sipping and his still warm coffee. "I've been trying to go through things in my mind and figure out if there's any reason why they wouldn't consider us. I mean, I know being a firefighter is hazardous and has irregular schedules, but..."

"Aw, don't worry about it Roy," Johhny reassured him as he reached for the plate of toast that was on the table, "They just have to get through all that red tape. "

At that moment the telephone rang, which Hank stood up and got, "Station 51, Captain Stanley speaking." He put his hand on the speaker and turned to Roy, "Roy, it's Joanne."

5 sets of eyes watched him go to the phone, and perhaps were listening to their crewmates conversation.

"Hello Joanne?" Roy listened to the conversation on the other end of the line and then broke into a smile, "Really? They have? That's great! I can't wait. Thanks for lettin' me know. I love you too. Bye."

Instantly the smiles extended to his fellow firefighters. "I take it that was good news, Roy." Mike Stoker piped up.

"Yep. Family services just called and told us that we've been approved to foster Amy. I want to thank all of you for your character references, Joanne and I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem, Roy. We were happy to help you. Amy is part of all our family here." Marco added happily.

"Wow, Roy, congrats!" Hank added. There was a round of congratulations by the men, who patted him on the shoulder.

"Thanks," the sandy haired paramedic said genuinely before sitting down to his mug. "The only thing we need to worry about now is whether or not the grandparents want to take her."

At the end of their shift, the sun ducked under the sky and only tangerine line could be seen in the horizon, as stars began to dot the evening sky, Roy and Johnny went to their respective cars to traverse the journey home.

"Hey Roy," Johhny called out as he was getting into his vehicle.

"Yeah?"

"Can you promise me something?" Johnny began. Roy smiled, but it faded when he perceived the saddened features of his friend.

"Sure, Johnny. What?"

"Promise-" The dark haired paramedic began, but then his glance went elsewhere.

"What?" Roy caught his friend's doleful eye as the other spoke.

"Promise me," John continued in a lower voice now, "that-you won't give her up if your neighbors talk about you taking a half-" Johnny gulped, "taking a child like I was."

The realization had dawned on the sandy-haired paramedic's expression as he gaped at his partner. They had discussed some of Johnny's past, sure. But this was something that even his best friend would not go into detail about, and with good reason, as it brought back many painful memories of his childhood.

"We never would, Joanne's not the type that gives up easily, you know that. And we want to take in Amy, there's no one that could tell us otherwise."

Johnny's eyebrows rose, "Even your mother-in-law?"

"She's just gonna have to deal with it, even if her new grand-daughter isn't exactly to her standards." Roy sniffed, which made Johnny chuckle.

"Hope you're the one to tell her that, Pally." Johnny returned with his signature grin.

And with that, they said their good nights to each other, and headed home.

TBC...