Title: I Will Remember You – Pt. 10
By: FanofRandy
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions
Summary: After a daring bus rescue, Johnny tries to help Roy through a personal loss. Can their friendship survive this tragedy?
Roy heard that Johnny was released from Rampart the day after Jenny's funeral. He wanted to see him to be sure he was okay, but his anger and hurt still burned hot. JoAnne was cooking in the kitchen and Roy walked in. She had been running on auto pilot since the funeral. "Jo, honey, why don't you try to take a nap?" Roy pleaded. They were both still not sleeping well…Roy in their bed, JoAnne in Jenny's. "I am okay, Roy. Why don't you go see Johnny?" Boy was she good…even in her grief, she could read him like a book. "I was thinking about going over there this evening." He said. She nodded her approval and he left her to her cooking.
Johnny had just left the hospital that morning at 8:30am, but he was already back. He made his way to Josie Wyatt's room once again. He knocked and when there was no answer, he walked in. He saw her head was still in bandages and he walked quietly to her bedside. His back still hurt and he had a slight headache—he assumed from lack of food. He had not yet eaten that day. He sat down by her bed and gently took her hand in his. He was comfortable here…it was the only place he felt he belonged since Jenny died. Roy had refused to come see him at the hospital and he had missed Jenny's funeral. He hated that he never got a chance to say, "Good-bye" to his Jenny Bean. Holding this girl's hand somehow made it almost okay…he wanted to just stay here forever.
Doctor Early walked in as he was gently telling her a story about how he had been sprayed by a skunk when he was seven. When Johnny laughed, you could not help but laugh, too. But, his laughter was forced and Joe could tell. "Johnny, what are you doing here?" "I can't leave, doc. I can't explain it." Johnny said. Joe shared with Johnny how Josie's neurological functions were improving and that she would most-likely have a full recovery. Joe also shared that he just told her parents that he was going to allow her to come out of the medically-induced coma tomorrow, if she continued to improve. Johnny squeezed the child's hand and said, "Isn't that great news, Josie. You are going to be fine." Joe noticed the heart rate increase on the monitor just like it had a few nights ago, and considered it another great sign.
Roy walked up to Johnny's door to knock. He stood, stoically for a few moments. He was not certain if he would hug Johnny when he saw him or if he would hit him. "I guess it is time to find out," Roy thought. He reached his fist out and knocked. He unclenched his fist as he moved his hand away from the door. He knocked again, when no one answered. He took out his key and wondered if he even had a right to have it in his possession. He did not know if he was Johnny's friend any longer and only friend's hold the keys to one another's homes, right? Okay, all rationalization was eluding Roy and he was aware of it. He raised his hand to knock once more when he heard the car pull up in the drive. Johnny was in the passenger seat of Mike Stoker's car. "He hasn't been released to drive yet," Roy deduced. The Rover was here, but Johnny was not…until now.
Johnny froze when he saw Roy's car. Mike thought he physically felt the temperature in the car get colder. He noticed the hairs on Johnny's arms were standing on end and he reached over to pat Johnny's shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort. Mike put the car in park as Roy started to walk toward them. Mike turned the car off and stepped out and yelled "Hi, Roy." Roy nodded his greeting. "Johnny, I am gonna go check the horses," Mike offered, "I will be back in a bit" He left, giving the two men time to talk alone. Johnny was too stunned to go for the door handle when Roy reached for it himself. The door opened and Johnny turned to get out of the vehicle. The men stood only a foot apart and said nothing. Johnny stepped out of the way and Roy shut the car door.
Johnny did not know what to say and neither did Roy. They stood there for what seemed like hours. Both of them looking at each other and then looking away. Roy let a tear slip from his eyes and Johnny let his begin to fall as well. When each man knew what needed to be done, they fell into each other's arms and sobbed like little babies. This was not the end…only the beginning, but each man knew that this was exactly what he needed right now. Roy was the first to back away. Johnny wiped the tears on the back of his hand and Roy pulled up his shirt sleeve to dry his wet face. "So, Junior, what's next?" Roy asked. Johnny was so glad Roy used his pet name for him, he knew this meant that things would be okay…eventually. "I don't know, Pally. But, I do know that I am so sorry…I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am." Roy shook his head and offered his hand to Johnny. Johnny reached out to take the hand like it was a lifeline to a drowning man.
"Johnny, I don't know what all happened…one day I will ask you to tell me. But, what I DO know, is that if anyone had to be with Jenny when she died besides me, JoAnne or Chris—it would have been you I'd pick. You loved her almost as much as we did, Junior. And, no matter what my head says, my heart knows that is true." Johnny nodded his head in agreement. Besides the time he had spent with Josie the last couple days, this was the first time he felt truly at peace since the bus accident. Johnny wanted to tell Roy about how well Josie was doing, but he knew that it was not the right time. Roy had just come to an understanding about his own daughter's death, he did not need to hear the good news that someone else's daughter was going to live. Roy and Johnny walked into the house together. Johnny put the coffee on and they waited for Mike to join them.
The next day, Johnny was the first one at the hospital. He was there even before Josie's parents. Johnny could not imagine how her parents could even leave the hospital with their daughter in Intensive Care; but, who was he to judge, he did not have any children of his own. But, he knew, that if it was Jenny in that bed, either Roy or Jo would be there 24-7 until she came home! Johnny was in the ICU waiting area when the Wyatt's came back. This morning, Dr. Early was going to discontinue the sedative so Josie could begin to wake up. Johnny introduced himself to the Wyatt's. He had actually met them before. The Wyatt's brought Josie and DJ (yeah, that was the kid's name from the bus that was so familiar) to a party Jenny had for her 11th birthday. Josie had been out to Johnny's ranch a couple times to ride horses with Jenny, too.
The Wyatt's both shook Johnny's hand and thanked him for what he did for their daughter. "How is she this morning?" Johnny asked. "We haven't seen her yet. We just got back." Mr. Wyatt said. Mr. Wyatt pulled Johnny aside and told his wife they would be right back. "Mr. Gage"—Johnny interrupted, "Please, call me Johnny." "Johnny," he continued, "I don't know how to explain this to you…or anyone for that matter. Since the accident, Josie doesn't seem like the same girl. She doesn't respond to her mother's voice or touch; she doesn't seem like she even cares that we are there." Johnny said, "Mr. Wyatt, she is in a coma. That is to be expected." "No," Mr. Wyatt almost yelled, "She responds to YOUR voice and Dr. Early's voice…but not ours. It's like she has forgotten us." Johnny could not explain all the intricacies of brain damage, but was sure that Dr. Early had offered some comforting words to the Wyatt's. Just as he was about to offer some sympathetic words, Dr. Early walked up and patted Johnny on the shoulder. Johnny flinched as he patted him on the gash that was still healing. Dr. Early realized his mistake and apologized profusely. "It's okay, doc. Don't worry. I'm fine" Johnny said.
"Doc, can we go see Josie now?" Mr. Wyatt asked. "Yes we can. Let's go, shall we?" And they walked toward Mrs. Wyatt and then to Josie's room.
TBC (almost done—maybe one or two more chapters and a prologue)