I have been getting great feedback and love it! Jrallfan, I still think you've been peeking at my notes. Your ideas are close but not exact! Since I don't have any tests this week and the feedback has been so good, I'm posting another chapter. Part of this one has been done for a while, it just needed bridge scenes. It's a long one also.

There is a lot of stuff happening in this one so i hope you enjoy it. Other people are becoming aware of what is happening. Remember, it's now only been not quite two weeks since the accident.

**************************************************************

Johnny had bolted from the DeSoto's living room as fast as he had run any 440 in track and didn't stop until he flung himself into his Rover. Once there, he cranked the engine, threw it in gear and left the area barely under the speed limit. He maintained that until he skidded to a halt in his own driveway. There, he turned the engine off and threw the keys to the floorboard. He wrapped his arms around the steering wheel and dropped his head onto them. Muffled sobs came from his buried face as his mind cruelly recalled all the slights he'd endured over the last two hours.

He hurt all over with a mind numbing agony. He had forgotten how cruel even well-meaning people's comments could be; he hadn't had to face them in so long he'd forgotten this pain. Today had reopened all those old insecurities.

The whinny of a horse drew him and he left the Rover, not even closing the door behind him. With the gracefulness and speed of the track star he'd once been, Johnny leapt the broken fence and crossed the field into the horse pasture, whistling a call as he went. Tate's ears went up at the call and the gelding willingly trotted toward his friend.

As Tate came close, Johnny planted his hands into the horse's mane and flung himself up on his back, neither one ever breaking stride. He pushed his left heel into Tate's side and the animal willingly turned that direction. Johnny held his body lower over Tate's back as he felt Tate pick up speed and the muscles beneath him bunched up. Then they released and both horse and rider where airborne for several heartbeats as they flew over the fence and raced out beyond. Tezi, barking wildly, ran after them.

Johnny could feel the warmth of the body beneath him, the chill of the rushing wind on his wet face but neither stopped the deep ache in his heart. Again just using his heels, he directed where he wanted the gelding to go.

There, ahead, the drop-off.

Was it deep enough? He'd estimated it at about 20-30 ft. There would be a moment's feeling of flying then perhaps another moment of pain and then it would all be over. He'd take his beloved Tate with him and they would ride forever like the stories his grandfather had told him. The area was so secluded it would be days before they were found by anyone. He wouldn't really be missed by anybody; at least not for long. He wasn't important enough to anyone for that. He closed his eyes as he pulled himself closer to Tate's neck, horse and rider becoming one as they ran, Johnny's breath strangling in his throat from the sobs he wouldn't let free.

*******************************************

Marco pulled his car into Johnny's driveway and glanced over at Mike sitting in the seat next to him. "We're here." He said. Mike nodded, "I see." The two men climbed out of the car, shutting the doors as they approached the Rover. Both stood there silently looking at the opened door and the keys lying on the floorboard. Mike picked up the keys, nervousness making him talkative. "Johnny must really be upset. He'd never leave the door open and the keys like this. He loves this old beat-up truck too much."

Marco nodded as he looked around. "I wonder where he is? I don't see him." The sound of another car brought their heads around and the two watched as Chet's van pulled up. Chet grinned at them as he exited but his eyes stayed serious. "Hey guys. I guess we all had the same thought?"

Marco nodded, "Yeah. Cap would've come too but he stayed to help Roy clean up." Chet nodded.

The party at the DeSoto's had broken up soon after the display by Amy Kent, each family making various excuses before gathering their belongings and leaving. Marco had followed Mike home and the two had sat in Mike's living room, discussing what had happened today.

"Mike, didn't you say Dwyer said that Johnny slammed into a pole when he tried to break up that fight at the parade?" Becky had asked as she brought sodas in for both men and joined her husband on the couch. Mike nodded but Marco perked up, "What? When was this?" Mike explained how Dwyer and his cop friend had told him about the drunken brawl after the parade's end and how Gage had to take one of the men in to Rampart as well as to get himself checked.

Marco shook his head and gave a faint chuckle. "Only Gage, man, only Gage." Mike agreed as he sipped his drink. Becky eyed the two for a moment then said, "Johnny was pretty upset over what happened today, top that off with a head injury . . ." She sighed as she took a long drink. Over her soda can, she watched her words impact the two. "Head injury . . ." Mike repeated as he frowned.

Marco, too, was frowning, "He was awful quiet today . . ."

Becky nearly rolled her eyes in exasperation as she pushed harder. "Maybe someone should check on him, you know, just to make sure he's ok."

Mike straighten up, "Yeah. Yeah, maybe someone should."

Marco frowned deeper, "I don't know. Gage doesn't like feeling like he's being mothered."

Becky made a scoffing noise, "That's nonsense. Right now Johnny needs to know that more than anything else he does have real friends; people who do care about him and his feelings and will support him through all this." She took another drink, seeing that both men were close to doing what she wanted. They only needed a little more . . .

"Besides, didn't he say something last week about needing to repair some fence or something or other?"

Mike nodded as Marco's face brightened, "Hey! We can just tell him we came by to . . .to help him mend that fence!"

Mike grinned, "And he said he'd need a hand to move those water troughs too." Both men stood and Mike leaned down to give his wife a kiss. "Bye dear, don't wait up; I don't know how late we'll be. Marco and I are going over to help Johnny out with some stuff around his ranch." She smiled up at him then watched the two leave. As soon as the door closed, she heaved a big sigh and closed her eyes, "Men!" She groused, "Sometimes they need to be hit head on with a clue bus!!"

Chet tapping the keys still in Mike's hand brought his attention back to the here and now. Chet looked into the still open door to the Rover. "So, where is he?"

Mike shrugged as Marco quickly caught Chet up. "His horse is gone." Mike's voice startle both men and they followed his gaze out to the pasture.

"You're right. He must be out riding." Marco acknowledged.

"Yeah, he said riding helps clear his head." The other two nodded, having heard the younger paramedic make that same comment themselves. "Well, let's get busy." Mike told them as he shut the Rover's door and started for the barn for the supplies they would need. Before long, they had the fence mended, the troughs moved and had made several other minor repairs they could find but still no Johnny. Marco joined Mike where he stood looking off over the fields. "I wonder where he is?"

Mike shook his head, "I hope he's ok." He murmured. The sound of yet another car approaching pulled their attention back toward the barn. Marco recognized his family's car and headed toward it, "Momma? What are you doing out here? I thought you had that . . .church thing?"

Adelina Lopez made a dismissive motion with one hand, "That's long over. I came here to take care of my boy." Mike looked at Marco with a frown but his friend shook his head, "Not me."

Adelina 'tic'ed, "No of course not him. I mean my Juanito." She reached back into her car and started pulling out packages which she began loading the two men up with. "The poor Niño . . . the things that horrid woman told him. I never thought he'd have to deal with that again, not here, not now. I can't believe some people!" Then she lost her English and continued her tirade in Spanish. Mike gave Marco a puzzled look but he just shook his head and muttered, "You don't want to know." Then he gasped, his eyes wide as he exclaimed, "MOMMA!" She pulled her head out of the car and faced her son, her cheeks a bright red. "I'm sorry mi hijo. May the Blessed Virgin forgive my evil tongue but it just breaks my heart that he has to go through all this again."

"How did she find out?" Mike asked bemused. Marco rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

Adelina headed toward the house and the two firemen followed her. Chet met them at the door, his smile of greeting widening at the delightful smells accompanying his shiftmates. "Oh good! I'm starving."

She shook a finger in front of the Irishman's face as she scolded, "Not a thing until Juanito has something." She looked around, "Where is he?"

Mike placed the packages on the table with Chet's help as Marco quickly explained. "And we've been here four hours now and there's been no sign of him."

Worry filled her eyes as she looked around the room. Her attention was drawn to the mantel and she walked toward it. Seeing the frames all face down she turned one over, then sighed heavily at the happy scene of a DeSoto birthday, "Oh, Juanito." Tears filled her eyes as she closed them and gave a heart-felt prayer for her hurting heart child.

Darkness was closing in and Adelina had finally but reluctantly gave in to Chet's pathetic begging. Mike and Marco glared at him so Chet took his full plate and headed out onto the porch. While he munched through a tasty tamale, he heard a horse's whinny. He stared for several long moments then called out, "Hey guys? You might want to come out here."

Instantly Marco, Mike and Adelina joined him on the porch. "What is it? What do you see?" They asked. Chet pointed to the hill off to the left which the setting sun had lit.

"Isn't that Gage's horse?"

Marco squinted his eyes as Mike nodded, "It looks like it."

"But I don't see any rider!" Marco added, "Where's Johnny?" The men exchanged worried glances then as one rushed off the porch and headed toward the animal. As they approached, they slowed, not wanting to panic it. Closer now, they could see no sign of tack on the horse, no saddle, no bridle, not even a blanket on it's back. More panicked glances were exchanged. Where was Johnny? Had he fallen off somewhere? They turned their eyes toward the hills. It was getting dark; there would be no chance to find him out there tonight. A rescue would have to wait until morning. Would morning be too late?

A soft voice startled them from these thoughts, "What're you guys doing here?" Johnny moved from the horse's side to his head where Tate nuzzled him as the paramedic looked from one of his shiftmates to the other, his gaze bewildered. Relief flooded the men and as one, they reached for him, pulling him into a hug, slapping him on the back, grabbing his shoulders and holding them tight.

"We were worried sick!"

"Where've ya been Gage! We've been waiting on ya for hours!"

"Are you alright?"

"Mi hijo, you look tired! Come inside." Adelina put her sturdy arms around the slender waist and pulled him. Johnny bulked, looking back at Tate. "Tate . . ." He started.

"Will be taken care off, right Marco?" She finished. Marco, still grinning broadly nodded, "Of course!" Johnny still bulked. "He'll need to be rubbed down really well. I . . .I kinda ran him hard. And he'll need . .." Now Mike interrupted, "We know what to do. You've taught us well, remember?"

Johnny gave him a tired grin and allowed Adelina to pull him closer and move toward the house. Chet made to follow but Marco grabbed his arm. "No Chet. You come help us. Momma has things well in hand."

************************************************

Johnny rolled over and looked at the alarm clock. It was still an hour before it was due to go off. He canceled the alarm and laid back into his pillows as thoughts of the previous night filled him. I can't believe they were worried about me. He smiled faintly as he thought of the enthusiastic greeting he'd received. And the work they did, and I didn't even ask them. And to think just a few hours before I . . . He shuddered as he recalled what he'd almost done.

He'd confessed that to Adelina—she had pushed him, seeing something in his eyes and wouldn't give up until he gave in. First, she'd scolded him for thinking such foolish thoughts, then she'd held him tightly, her tears joining his as he let himself really cry out his pain. For a few moments, he was once more a little confused and lost boy finding comfort in her motherly arms. After the three came back into the house, and Johnny had showered, removing all traces of both his hard ride and his emotional outburst, they had settled down to feast on the meal Adelina had provided. Johnny had eaten more than he had earlier, lulled by the familiar friendly bantering going around the table.

He lifted the sheet and looked down at himself, seeing he was still in the t-shirt he'd put on after his shower but his jeans, socks and shoes were removed. He remembered sitting in the living room, sharing a beer with his friends as Adelina embarrassed both him and Marco with stories from their youth. Chet had left earlier since he was working overtime the next day so Johnny knew the tales wouldn't come back to haunt him.

I guess I fell asleep. I wonder who put me to bed? A faint recollection of Mike's soft voice along with Adelina's came back to him.

"He's exhausted." Came Adelina's voice in his memory.

"He hasn't been sleeping well. And after today, well, who wouldn't be?" He remembered Mike's voice had vibrated near him. He was being lifted, held in sturdy arms and carried.

"I'll just turn down the sheets. Thanks Michael. I can get it from here."

"You sure?"

A deep chuckle, "I'm sure. I've done this many times. Even for this one." A coolness on his lower signaled the removal of his clothes. Then covers were being smoothed over his body, a gentle hand caressed his face and hair. A kiss on his forehead. "Sleep, mi hijo, dream easy and never forget child, of my heart, you are loved." It was the same ritual he'd heard many times and as it had then, it made him feel safe and loved.

When he realized Momma Lopez had been the one to undress him he blushed, then he smiled softly at the warm feeling that filled him.

Then he sighed, realizing that he had to get up and face another day at the station. With grim determination, he rose, dressed and saw to his morning chores. Another shower, change of clothes, a quick cup of coffee and he was on the road.

He arrived at the station just behind Mike. As he pulled the Rover into 'his' spot, he saw Mike waiting for him by the kitchen door.

Mike watched as Johnny walked toward him, noting a slight limp. Dwyer said he hit his hip pretty hard when they tossed him over that bleacher. He could see more bruises now visible on the paramedic's arms and one down his jaw. Hope today is easy on him. I can't get over how light he was! He can't weigh more than 150 at the most! At least we got some food into him last night. He smiled as the paramedic got closer and saw the look of wariness disappear from those brown eyes. "How you feeling this morning, Johnny?" he asked as the two crossed the threshold.

"Not too bad. I slept pretty good last night." Johnny hesitated then turned toward the engineer, his cheeks stained pink. "Uhhh, Mike, about last night, uhhh."

Mike shook his head, "You were exhausted. We all knew it. As far as any one else is concerned, I'm mute."

Johnny looked up, relief evident on his face and Mike just couldn't help but tease, "Of course though, I might have to be bribed not to remember some of those stories." He glanced slyly at the blushing man from the corner of his eye. "Really Gage, a honey bear?"

"Wait! Now Mike . . . Mike, Stoker!" Johnny's voice followed the engineer as he hurried into the locker room.

Before long, everyone was dressed and regrouped in the kitchen guzzling coffee and inhaling the treats sent in by Maggie Stanley. Johnny stood in his usual place by the sink, one hand catching the crumbs from the piece of pumpkin bread he'd just bitten into. He chewed happily and eagerly took another, bigger bite. Mmmmmmm, good! Moist and heavy, just like my aunt used to make! He thought as he closed his eyes in pleasure.

The youngest shiftmember was totally unaware his captain watched him closely from under the cover of reading the paper. Well, he's eating it and looking like he's enjoying it. He shook his head and gave a quiet chuckle. Maggie was right, again. I remember the first time she heard about 'us Americans eating pig food' and was horrified until she'd tried some pumpkin bread that Thanksgiving. Then when she found out it was one of Johnny's favorite snacks, well,. . . A dark frown covered his face and he snapped his paper angrily. After that fiasco at Roy's she wanted to do something for him.

"Great spread, Cap. Maggie must have been baking all weekend." Marco spoke around the coffee cake in his mouth. Cap grinned, "Not quite all weekend. But you know, when she gets into a baking mood . . ."

"I love her baking moods!" Chet exclaimed. Around the table the others agreed. Cap watched as Johnny polished off the remainder of his piece then carefully ate even the last crumb. He smiled as he thought about the whole loaf, carefully wrapped in wax paper and foil wrap, he'd placed in the young paramedic's locker. It will be all yours pal, eat it in good health.

Johnny was just finishing off his coffee when Roy stepped up to get a refill on his own cup. Johnny moved out of the way, his dark eyes watching his partner. Suddenly Roy stopped, a frown covered his face as he put the cup on the counter and grabbed Johnny's chin. Johnny couldn't stop the wince as Roy forced his head up, then sideways. Then his left arm was grabbed and inspected in a like manner.

"What happened to you?" Roy demanded, his blue eyes snapping in anger. Johnny pulled away, dropping his gaze to the floor. "I fell." He muttered then shrugged. "It's nothing."

"You fell. What were you doing? Out racing your horse? Or hiking up some mountain?" Roy crossed his arms, "Gage, you have to be more responsible. Getting hurt off duty will detract from your ability to work on duty."

"Gee Gage. Still a disaster magnet." Chet's eyes twinkled as he started in on his favorite hobby—bugging his pigeon. "Usually you 'fall' for some girl, then get 'dumped'. So tell us, what did you 'fall' for this time." He chuckled and was joined by Kent and Roy.

"That's right! Gage can barely walk and talk at the same time without falling." Roy chuckled, "I've seen him nearly break his neck because he was watching some girl and not watching where he was going." He walked past Kent who stood and placed his cup into the sink. He slapped Johnny hard on the back, nearly toppling the younger man over. "Careful there, Gage. Don't 'fall!' " Still chuckling the two left the room, and began pulling the instruments for morning calibrations.

Johnny remained where he was, head down.

Marco watched him a second longer then his eyes caught on Cap's. Cap gave a quick nod toward the back and Marco stood, understanding the message. "Come on Chet, those hoses won't clean themselves." He drug his protesting friend out of the kitchen.

After several minutes, Cap rose and moved toward his youngest crewmember. "John. Are you alright?"

Johnny didn't raise his head but he did nod. Cap sighed, "John, I read the report. I know you got tossed around at the parade. Brackett said mild concussion, bruised hip, bruised ribs, lacerations and abrasions down your thigh and your arm."

Johnny's head came up at that and Cap was pleased to see a flash of anger. Good! Emotion! He thought.

"If you read the report then you also know Brackett cleared me for duty. I'm fine, just a little sore." Johnny stated with more conviction than his boss had heard in a week. Cap maintained a straight face as he gave a nod, "Alright, Gage. I'll trust in your judgment." Then, his tone stern, he warned, "But if you have any problems later, I also trust you'll let me know."

Solemnly Johnny nodded and sighed. Cap turned on his heel and left the room. Mike rinsed his cup out in the sink, then left it there. Turning to his dark haired friend, he began, "Johnny . . ." , but stopped when Johnny just gave a soft, "Don't" and a raised hand.

Silently, Johnny finished his coffee and went to join the other two paramedics. Mike gave a sigh of his own as he set about tidying up the kitchen. And everything was going so well. He mused. Maybe I can help. I'll fix my spaghetti today; I know how much Johnny loves that. That decided, Mike began checking the cabinets and fridge to see what was on hand and what was needed. Just as he finished his list, tones dropped.

"Station 51 MVA 1299 East Alondra Boulevard 1—2—9—9—East Alondra Blvd. Cross street Gardena Blvd. Time out 9:32"

The accident involved three vehicles—a red truck, a small orange compact car and a blue sedan. The front of the truck was embedded into the passenger side of the sedan while the compact had been pushed by the sedan into a dangerously titled light pole. Two black and white police cars were already on scene. One officer directed traffic while the other two were stationed at the crumple cars. The fourth trotted toward the engine and Cap recognized Jasper Singleton. "We've got multiple victims here Cap." Jasper said, "One DOA and another that doesn't look good. The truck ran the light and hit the other two. Driver of the compact is the DOA. There were three people in the truck but nothing serious. The sedan has a woman and two kids."

Roy nodded, "I'll take the passenger since they're the worse. Gage,take the sedan. Chet, Marco you'd better go with him." With those curt words, Roy trotted off, Kent at his side. Cap clenched his jaw briefly at Roy's assumption of authority then nodded to his men as he raised the HT and requested another squad and three additional ambulances. "Mike prime a reel for a wash down." He himself popped the hoods on each vehicle and pull the battery cables. Chet and Marco exchanged glances before following Johnny, grabbing equipment from his over burdened hands as they did. Johnny looked at both of them then at the other cars. He could see three teenagers standing near the totaled truck, all three showing signs of cuts and bruises; one girl clutched her arm protectively. "Chet, why don't you stay with me, and Marco you go see how those kids are. Looks like the one might have a broken arm." Marco grinned, "You got it, Johnny." Then he left.

Johnny immediately turned his full attention to the car, seeing a middle-aged woman unconscious over the steering wheel and two frightened screaming girls in the back. He reached through the open window, taking the woman's carotid as he gave the girls a smile. Next he pulled open the driver's door and did a fast assessment on the woman while watching the children. "Hello there! My name is Johnny. I'm gonna help you out here! Are you hurt anywhere?"

The older girl who had heavily lashed big brown eyes blinked a few times as she stopped screaming and began focusing on what the man in front of her was doing. Finally in a small voice she asked, "Is my mommy dead?"

Johnny smiled gently at the little girls, "No honey. She is hurt but I'm here to help take her to the hospital where they can make her better." He faced Chet as he pulled backward out of the way. "Her seat's shifted forward, jamming her in there pretty good but she's stable. We'll need to get the girls out, then move her seat back." Chet nodded, taking Johnny's place with the mother while Johnny popped open the back door and sat on the frame as he reached for the girls. "Do you hurt anywhere, sweetheart?"

"My name is Stacy." The diminutive brunette informed him, holding up the appropriate number of fingers. "I'm gonna be 7 and that's my sister Mary. She's 5. Are you a policeman?"

Johnny smiled again, "Nope, I'm a fireman. But I also fix owies."

Stacy nodded seriously, "Good 'cause my belly hurts." Johnny kept the tightening he felt in his guts from his face as he leaned closer. "Can you show me exactly where, Stacy?"

She nodded and pointed to where the seatbelt had cinched tightly around her body. Johnny quickly released the belt then gently felt along the area. He turned back toward Chet who stood with the HT ready to relate vitals to Roy who had the biophone. "Bruised at least but could be some internal bleeding. Hand me the pediatric BP cuff." Chet did as requested and relayed everything back to Cap who handled the biophone call. Johnny looked over at the now silent Mary and asked, "How 'bout you precious? Are you hurt?"

The blue-eyed redhead nodded, her body still shuttering in after sobs. "Where?" he asked softly. She pointed at her mouth and he looked closer, seeing a small amount of blood on her mouth. Again his stomach clinched but he remained calm. Gently he felt around her mouth and nearly blew out a sign of relief to find the bitten lip. He pulled a 4x4 out of the box and placed it carefully against her mouth. "Can you hold that right here for a minute? I know it hurts sweetheart, we'll get it taken care of soon."

"Hey! I'm sweetheart, she's precious, Johnny!" Stacy protested. Chet guffed and Johnny smiled. "Ok, Sweetheart." He turned back to the tiny child, "Hold that, precious, while I get some information on you just like I did your sister, OK?"

She nodded and he relayed her vitals to Chet, grateful she appeared unhurt except for the bitten lip. Chet gave him Rampart's instruction and soon both girls were removed from the car and taken to the waiting ambulance. The newly arrived paramedics from 45 took over their care as Johnny concentrated once more on extricating the mother.

Both men struggled with the seat for several minutes then finally it moved slowly backward. As Johnny crouched next to the mother, Roy trotted up beside him. The younger paramedic glanced up into his partner's frowning face while he placed the BP cuff around her arm.

"I would have thought you would have done vitals already. I've got my patients packaged and ready to transport. You need to move faster, Gage, lives depend on it." Johnny merely nodded as he took the BP. As the cuff deflated Roy asked, "What was it?"

"110/78." Johnny replied as he laid his hand on her abdomen.

"Looks like she's getting shocky. You'd better get permission for an IV quick."

Johnny bit his inner cheek but dutifully nodded his head as he counted respirations. Roy looked from the waiting ambulance to his partner and back again. "I've got to transport. Here's the biophone." He hesitated again as Chet took the instrument from him and flipped it open. "You sure you can handle this?"

Johnny paused in his care and pinned Roy with an exacting gaze. "Yes Roy. I am sure." He then turned from his partner and told Chet. "BP 110/78, pulse 90, respiration 10 and shallow." Chet nodded. Suddenly the woman came too, her eyes wide as she screamed, "That car! That car is going to hit us! My babies!"

"Calm down, calm down," Johnny soothed the woman. "Your girls are awright. They're already on their way to the hospital. My name is Johnny; I'm a paramedic. Now, let me see to you, awright? Then we'll get you in an ambulance too."

Her frantic gaze fastened on the dark haired paramedic, "I didn't even see it. I only looked away for a second! Just one second! The girls, they were fighting and when I looked back up we were spinning."

Johnny heard Roy give a soft "hmmmph." as he walked away but Johnny ignored it as he continued talking in a soothing tone while cleaning the cuts on her face.

"Watch that pole, it could fall any time." Roy's voice cut through Johnny's concentration. Johnny glanced upward.

"You hear?"

He sighed but kept his voice even, "I heard. I'm watching it." He took the light from his belt pouch and flicked it into the woman's left eye. Behind him, he could hear the ambulance pulling away, sirens wailing.

"I just looked into the mirror for a second! Just a second," she cried. "The kids were fighting and I just looked back at them."

"I know, I know. It's awright. Now just relax." Johnny soothed as he examined the right eye then palpitated the bruised cheek gently. "Did you hit the steering wheel here?"

"umm, I guess. I don't know. It all happened so fast." The woman twisted her face away again, trying to look behind her. "Mary? Stacy? Are you alright? Why can't I hear them!"

Johnny gently placed hands on either side of the woman's face, preventing her from turning as he calmly replied. "They're fine. They're fine. We've already removed them from the car. They're being treated. Now I need you to calm down." He turned to Chet who stood waiting with the biophone. He relayed the additional information he'd taken to the firefighter, adding "Left pupil is reactive but sluggish, right pupil is dilated." Chet nodded and relayed the information back to the doctors. Mike knelt next to him, saying, "Ambulance just got here." as he handed over a c collar which Johnny immediately placed around the woman's neck. She tried to pull away from him, her voice filled with fear as she exclaimed, "What are you doing? What is that?"

"Calm down. This is just protection for your neck. It will make sure your neck doesn't get moved until the doctor can examine you. It's just a precaution. Then we will use this board to make sure your back is supported when we get you out of here, OK?" Johnny showed her the backboard and smiled reassuringly at her. She in turn gave him a weak smile and murmured, "O. . . ok. If you say so."

Johnny smiled again as he quickly established the ordered IV. Then he nodded to Mike who helped him secure the woman and lift her out. As they carried her away and placed her onto the stretcher the tilted light pole creaked loudly then fell with a resounding crash. Johnny looked around, relieved that his victim was the last to be extricated. He jumped into the ambulance with her and soon they were speeding toward Rampart.

Dixie looked up as another stretcher came down the hall, Johnny pacing it as one hand held a IV bag high and the other rested on the victim's shoulder while he talked to her. He looked up at Dixie who called out, "Treatment 3." Johnny nodded and disappeared through the door with his charge. Dixie continued the calls she needed to make and then moved around her desk on her way to the treatment rooms.

A deep voice called out to her, halting her direction. She smiled up at the short muscular figure swaggering toward her. "Singleton, what are you doing in my hospital?" She demanded, her hands on her hips in mock anger but her eyes twinkled.

Jasper Singleton grinned at her then ducked his head, "Why shucks Miss Dixie," he drawled in a heavily faked southern accent. "Mah weeks just plum borin' ifen Ah caint see yur purty face 'lest once."

She swatted his arm as he stopped next to her and his grin widened. "Flatterer." She groused. He nodded, "Yeap. Always."

Then, his face a little more serious, he continued, "No, really, why I'm here is because I'm following up on the accident with the mother and two kids."

Dixie nodded, "yes, Johnny just brought her in. The Doctor is with her now, I'll let him know you're here when he comes out."

Jasper nodded and leaned on her desk as he shook his head. "Man, I hate accidents with kids. I'm sure glad Johnny took care of them. He's so good in those situations."

Dixie nodded, agreeing with the officer. "What happened?" Jasper grimaced, "well according to the teens in the truck, they didn't see the light change and hit the couple in the sedan which pushed it into the compact with the kids. It spun out of control and hit a light pole. Damn thing came crashing down right after Johnny got the mother free."

Dixie winced in sympathy then gave a knowing nod. "Speeding huh." Jasper nodded, "Speedometer stuck at 90 from the crash. Wasn't a thing the poor woman or the fella in the sedan could've done to avoid the impact." He shook his head as he thought back to the dead driver of the sedan, "Poor bugger never had a chance. Hope his wife pulls through."

Dixie nodded, "They took her up to surgery but I'd say her chances are good." Jasper smiled. "That's good to hear. And the kids?
Dixie smiled as she remembered the delightful talkative brunette who had told her all about her new friend Fireman Johnny who fixed her owie. "You mean Sweetheart and Precious? Nothing major, some cuts and bruises. We'll keep them for observation until we can get a hold of relatives but I'd say they too will be fine."

Jasper laughed, he'd been close enough to hear the medic dealing with the two precocious girls and shared in the amusement. Then his tone became serious again as he asked, "Hey. What's up with DeSoto? He getting ready for the Captain's exam or something?"

Dixie looked puzzled, "No. Not that I know of. Why?"

Jasper shook his head, "I wondered. It's just that usually the on scene captain is the one who controls the scene but I swear I heard DeSoto giving all the orders to the whole crew. He even told Gage what to do and where to go. A couple of my buddies noticed it at other accidents they'd responded to with 51's and asked me." Jasper gave a sigh, then smacked the desk top as he stood. "Well I need some coffee. I'll be around the corner when the doc comes out." He grinned at the nurse and winked before turning and sauntering off toward the lounge.

Dixie watched him go, her mind on what she just heard and what she'd been noticing. Another voice startled her and she turned to face Roy.

"You all right there Dixie? You looked a little lost for a minute." He asked. Dix gave him a smile. "Just talking to Jasper Singleton."

Roy gave a burst of laughter, "That motor mouth? If they ever develop a governor for mouths he should be the first outfitted for one."

Dix chuckled. "He was just telling me about the accident you just came from."

Roy frowned, "yeah that. Bad scene."

Dix nodded, knowing Roy had brought in the passenger of the sedan.

"And to think all of that mess could have been avoided if the people had just been paying attention." He grumbled. Dixie looked up, confused over Roy's words versus what Jasper had just told her. But all she got out was, "Oh?" before Roy leaned forward, eager to expound on his theory.

"Yes. See, the kids weren't paying attention to the light because they were singing along with the radio. But if the sedan had been watching for cross traffic, he could have stopped before the truck hit him. And the woman in the compact, well, she said herself that she wasn't looking, that she was distracted by her kids fighting in the backseat."

Dixie nodded, "I see your point but . . ."

Roy smiled at Dix. "That's what I mean. If you are aware of your surroundings you can prevent things like that."

Dix looked confused, "I suppose, but accidents still happen, Roy."

Roy shook his head, "Then they aren't really unexpected accidents. If you are watching and aware, when something happens, you might be able to stop it. Really bad accidents only happen when people aren't thinking or are oblivious of what's going on around them."

Dixie shuffled the papers in front of her. "Well, I can see your point and I suppose in some cases, you're right." She conceded.

Roy grinned triumphantly, "Of course I'm right. It's people's inattention that causes most accidents in the first place. And we, as trained professionals, must be more diligent then others on this,"

A faint noise from the hall before her caught Dixie's attention and she looked up, straight into the face of John Gage. Roy too, glanced over his shoulder before adding, "Perhaps we should teach more attentiveness to your surroundings to the trainees. And I believe some others could use a refresher course. Then there will be less accidents."

Dixie's eyes widened slightly as she watched that well aimed barb slam home. Johnny blinked a few times and took a quick breath but then his face fell into the nonchalant continence she'd seen him wear for the last week. He walked up to the desk, paused saying, "Brackett says the mother will be fine in a few weeks. I'll be in the squad." Then with a faint nod toward Dixie, he left.

Dixie watched him go while Roy gathered the waiting supplies. "I'd better get out there before he touches something and either breaks it or himself." Roy stated. Any other time the head nurse would have laughed, knowing the comment was nothing but gentle teasing. However Roy's attitude lately toward his partner had been anything but teasing.

She watched him leave, snagging Kent as he came out of the lounge. A poignant look of painful contemplation came over the head nurse's face.

"What's up Dixie?" Came a deep voice near her. Dixie recognized it as belonging to Dr. Brackett.

"Yeah Dix. You look like you've just been told there's no such thing as paid vacations!" joked Dr. Early as he joined his colleagues.

She just sadly shook her head, her gaze on the rapidly disappearing figures of Roy and Marc. The two doctors exchanged glances, sobering at the nurse's actions.

Dr. Early laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Dix?" The one word held a multitude of questions.

"Are you alright?" Dr. Brackett asked. Dixie dropped her gaze from the hall to the papers in front of her. "I'm alright, but I'm worried someone else isn't."

"Oh?"

She sighed then told the two doctors the strange conversation she'd just had with Jasper about Roy then Roy's conversation and his actions toward Johnny.. "His voice and face when he said it were . . .were." She paused shaking her head.

"Go on, they were . . .?" Dr. Early encouraged. She looked both of them in the eye so there could be no doubt on her sincerity. "They were down right cruel. And I have no doubt he meant them to be heard by Johnny."

The two doctors exchanged glances again. "And Johnny?"

Angry now, she turned and shuffled the files before her with more force then needed. "Oh, Johnny heard. And understood perfectly. He tried to mask it but I could tell." She whirled back around, her back to the desk and her gaze on the doctors. "This isn't the first time either. Before, I thought Roy was just a little peeved over some idea or rant of Johnny's and was giving him a hard time. But in light of today . . .Kel this has been going on for over a week now."

Kelly Brackett frowned.

"So since Jenny's accident?" Dr. Early guessed. Realization dawned on both nurse and doctor. "Oh no, you don't think . . ."

"That Roy somehow blames Johnny for Jenny's accident? It certainly looks that way. And he wouldn't be the first father in history to hold someone else accountable either." Brackett finished, his mouth twitching as when confronted with something he didn't like. "Damn."

"But Johnny did all he could! Jenny's situation could have been much more serious if Johnny hadn't been there." Dixie protested. "Johnny was devastated over her being hurt. He loves that little girl as if she were his own flesh. Roy knows that."

All three knew what Dixie said was true but all three had also sensed some change in their star team. Dixie sighed heavily. "Oh poor Johnny." She murmured. Both doctors patted her arm before walking slowly away toward the lounge for a much needed cup of coffee.

"Do you think they can work past this?"

Dr. Brackett didn't need Joe to explain his question. Deep inside he was thinking the same thing.

"I certainly hope so, Joe. I'd hate to see the break up the best paramedic team I have."

Joe nodded, then added, "More importantly, I'd hate to see the end of one of the strongest friendships I've ever seen. Johnny really has no one else, you know. He really sees the DeSotos as more than his partner's family. They and the others on his shift are all he has. I'd hate to see what losing their support could do to him." Brackett sighed heavily, knowing Joe was right.