Johnny Gage has always been a personable man; it's what helped him be a good paramedic. Even in a coma, shift mates, fellow paramedics and medical staff would pay him visits. They would check to make sure he was alive and wish him well.
Dr. Kel Brackett was in his office going over Gage's chart for the nth time wondering where he had missed Gage's blot clot. Rubbing his tired eyes, a quiet knock, a smile and dinner was placed in front of him.
"You know you're not doing you or Johnny obsessing over this," Dix looked at her worried lover.
"I don't know it's just….. why Johnny? Johnny is one of our best paramedics and he's lying up there due to my error. If I had caught it earlier," Kel savagely bit into a French fry.
"Kel, Johnny wasn't exactly a model patient. You heard Palmer; he had been eating aspirin for the last few months. Every time he was in here with a victim he could have said something to anyone of us," McCall tried to comfort the doubtful doctor. "And you know Johnny was never one to complain especially if it means he wouldn't be out in the field."
"Yes and that worries me Dix, he's more concerned about the people out there instead of himself. We all saw the changes Johnny made ever since..." Brackett took a drink of his coffee.
"Like I said maybe he grew up?" McCall smiled. "Besides Johnny's strong you said so yourself. He'll pull through."
"I hope so Dixie because I have a feeling if John Gage can't be a paramedic his life would be over." Brackett peered over his coffee cup trying not to think of it.
****
Roy was hunched over a dozen applications for paramedic training. It was late and he was tired. Anxious to go home he put the papers back in their respective folders and left his office.
Walking out to his car, he had heard the hushed tones in his office whenever John Gage was mentioned. So far there had been no change in the paramedic's condition and the usual give it time was said.
Not thinking DeSoto found himself at the hospital, almost parking in a squad spot he found himself a visitor stall. Climbing out of his car, he quietly made his way up to the I.C.U unit and found Johnny's room.
In the muted light, Roy heard the whoosh and beep of the machines keeping the dark haired man alive. DeSoto was shocked to see his former partner and friend, ashen faced, bandaged with multiple IV's.
"I heard they had to shave your head, Junior," Roy gripped tightly to the metal rail of the bed. "But I'm sure it won't stop you from going after the ladies."
DeSoto remembered what Stanley had said about the new John Gage. He yawned and then looked at Johnny again.
"Well it's late Junior, guess I'll drop by again and maybe next time you'll be awake. I never did like a quiet Johnny," DeSoto left the I.C.U. assured no one had seen him come in.
Dixie was on her way to check her favorite paramedic when she heard a familiar voice and quickly turned. She waited at the end of the all and watched as the hunched, worried and exhausted Roy DeSoto made his way out of the I.C.U.
"Well I'll be," she muttered under her breath. "You still care."