Title: This is Your Life, Roy DeSoto – Pt. 10
By: FanofRandy
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I make no profit from my imagination—only a personal joy and peace.
Summary: While trapped in a building collapse, Roy harkens back to a Radio/TV series as his life "flashes before his eyes." (Circa Season 5) Not your typical "cross-over".
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When the ambulance arrived at Rampart, Dr.'s Brackett and Morton were there to meet it. Dixie and JoAnne DeSoto were also there in the waiting area. Roy was brought into the Emergency Room first and Dixie directed his gurney to Treatment Room 4. JoAnne, though grateful her husband was alive, cringed when she saw him on the gurney covered in soot, dirt and blood.
Johnny was wheeled in behind Roy and Dixie assigned him to Treatment Room 2. Dr. Morton had gone in with Roy and Dr. Brackett followed behind Johnny. Dixie had told JoAnne all they knew from the paramedic's updates and assured her that both Roy and Johnny were going to be alright. "They are in the best of care." Dixie reminded JoAnne. JoAnne hugged Dixie and said to her, "Go…take care of my guys, huh?" Dixie nodded and went in to Roy's treatment room first.
Dr. Morton had ordered routine blood tests and x-rays and CAT scan of Roy's legs. Both legs were definitely fractured, but Morton wanted to check on nerve and muscle damage as well. Morton also called for an orthopedist to join Roy's medical team.
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In the other Treatment Room, Brackett was once again assessing Johnny's injuries. "I knew I couldn't trust you, hose-jockey." Brackett admonished his patient. "I should NOT have allowed you to go back out there." He was as angry with himself as he was with Johnny.
"But, Doc. We found 'im. That's all that matters." Johnny answered through his drug-induced haze.
"NO, that is not all that matters. You can't put your own health at risk like this Johnny." And he thought better of it once he said it. That was what firefighters did…put their lives at risk to save others!
"…had..to…Doc. It was Roy…couldn't tell another wife…her husband's not comin' home." He harkened back to the time he had to tell Pam, Drew Burke's wife, that her husband had died. Brackett then understood the young man's actions all the more. He frowned at the insight, but was proud all the same, to know John Gage and to call him Friend.
"Okay, John, I understand. Just rest. We're gonna get more x-rays and run those tests I wanted to do earlier, okay?" Brackett did not expect an answer. He noticed that Johnny was fast asleep; probably from the meds, but from sheer exhaustion, too.
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JoAnne was allowed in to see Roy after the x-ray technician left. She walked up beside his bed and reached out for his hand. His bloodied pants and clothing had been removed and he was in a gown with a sheet draped over him. His face looked pale and his eyes were only half-open. She leaned over to kiss his forehead. When she pulled away, his eyes locked on hers.
"Hey, gorgeous." He said with as much a smile as he could muster.
"Hey, handsome." She replied. "Fancy meeting you here." She joked.
Roy looked up at his wife and tears began to form in his eyes. "Jo, you know, when I was trapped…all I could think about was you, the kids, Johnny…my family. It was like that stupid show Jen and I watched the other night…This is Your Life. I don't think I could have made it without knowing you were gonna be here when I got out." He admitted.
JoAnne brushed his hair back with her hand and left her hand on his cheek. "I love you Roy DeSoto. I always have."
"I love you, too, JoAnne DeSoto." He said as he reached up to take her hand and he pulled it over to kiss the back of it. They stayed like that, staring into each other's eyes until Morton and the orthopedist entered the room.
"What's the verdict, Doc?" Roy asked as JoAnn pulled her hand down to his shoulder. She, too, turned to face the doctors.
"Well, Roy…you got lucky. There is little muscle and nerve damage and the breaks are pretty clean. Dr. Imas, here, is going to set your legs and apply a soft cast until the swelling goes down. In a couple days, we will apply the hard cast. You will be out of commission for 4 – 6 weeks, my friend." Morton relayed.
"When can he come home?" JoAnne asked anxiously.
"Well, I would say that he can be released to go home a day or two after the hard cast is put on." He looked to Dr. Imas who nodded his agreement.
"Doc, how's Johnny?" Roy asked. "It seemed like he was hurt worse than he would tell me." JoAnne looked at Roy and saw his concern for his younger Partner.
"I'm not certain, Roy. I know he was scheduled for the CAT scan right after you went. I will see what I can find out from Brackett and let you know as soon as I can. Right now, we need to get you ready. We will give you a sedative and a local for when your legs are reset. You shouldn't be out too long. JoAnne, you can wait in the doctor's lounge and I will come get you once we get him assigned to a room." Morton turned on his heel to get the medications he needed and Dr. Imas left to prepare for the procedure.
"Doc, do ya think Johnny and I could be put in the same room?" Roy pleaded.
"I don't know. I will check on that with Brackett once we get you squared away. JoAnne, I'm afraid you're gonna hafta leave now. I will come get you as soon as he is settled. I promise." He could see that she really did not want to leave her husband's side.
"I will see you in a while." She smiled down to her husband.
"Sure, Jo. I will be okay." He smiled back and they kissed before she turned to leave the room.
Instead of walking to the doctor's lounge she turned the opposite direction and made her way to Treatment Room 2.
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"Well, John, there is good news and bad news." Brackett leaned over Johnny's bed to give him the results of the tests that were just completed.
Johnny nodded his understanding and heard the door creek and a quiet knock. They both looked over to see JoAnne DeSoto peeking in.
"Can I come in?" She asked quietly.
"Sure. Doc, it's okay, isn't it?" Johnny said, smiling.
"Yes, JoAnne, c'mon in." Brackett acquiesced. He walked away from the bed to allow JoAnne to visit with Johnny for a moment. He knew that if Roy was able, HE would have been the one by John's bedside...but, since Roy was injured, too, JoAnne would serve as John's support, his family.
"Hey, Jo, how's Roy?" Johnny begged.
"He's gonna be okay, John. They are setting his legs. Putting on a soft cast now and a more permanent one in a few days when the swelling is down. He will be here for a few days, anyway." She looked at him with soft, caring eyes. "Thank you, Johnny." She said.
"For what?" Johnny asked, his face blushing with awkwardness.
"For not giving up on him. For finding him. And, for bringing him back to me and the kids." JoAnne finally allowed her tears to flow. "You know, I don't know what I would do if you weren't there to watch out for my guy." She declared. "I know that you will risk everything to make sure that he is okay. That gives me more comfort and peace than you will ever know. I'm just so sorry you were hurt, too. Are you going to be okay?"
Johnny blushed again. He was not used to having compliments and he was not comfortable. "I was just returning the favor, Jo." Johnny rebuffed her sentiment.
"What do you mean?" JoAnne asked and Brackett leaned in to hear as well.
"When we were running out of the building, he was right behind me. I felt his hand on my back. At the last minute, he pushed me toward the door. Then, POW…I was propelled toward the door. That's the only reason they found me first is because Roy pushed me." His guilt and remorse now apparent, told Brackett all he needed to know.
TBC