Dr. Brackett sighed as he was finally able to take a break. His shift had been quite busy. He had heard a commotion of a new patient coming in and had heard Roy's voice, but he'd been busy along with Dr. Morton as they performed a surgery that had taken an hour longer to complete. Normally, he couldn't hear things like that while performing surgery, but there had been quite a bit of yelling. He'd just ask Dixie about it later.
He soon entered the break room and got a cup of coffee. He sat down in one of the chairs and sighed in relief. The surgery had gone well. He was slightly startled when only a few minutes later Dixie came barging into the break room while sniffling. He watched as she got a cup of coffee and downed it.
He then stood after sitting his cup down and said "Dix, what's wrong. You're never like this with a patient."
Dixie rounded on him and said "I just had to assist on a surgery concerning Johnny, Kel."
Dr. Bracket froze as he said with shock "What?"
Dixie wiped her eyes again as she frustratedly answered "Johnny was transferred here about an hour and a half ago. He was in the local hospital closest to where he was found, and they stabilized him, but he still needed surgery that they couldn't do there, so they air lifted him here. The guy cut him open and messed with his organs! He had internal bleeding! He's not in great shape, Kel. I would have told you sooner, but you were in surgery. They found him in Kern County! He wasn't even in LA, Kel! I've seen so much in this hospital, Kel, but this is the worst thing I have ever had to help with."
Dr. Brackett nodded and said "That's because this is Johnny we're talking about, Dix. We've seen him injured many times, but this is different. Was it Joe who operated on him?"
Dixie nodded and said "Yeah, follow me. I'm assuming that you'll want to help care for Johnny too."
Dr. Brackett nodded. He was relieved that Johnny had finally been found, but he was worried that they still may have been too late.
Roy practically rolled out of Vince's car as they got to Rampart. He rushed into the hospital, and the staff knew him well enough to direct him exactly where to go. Dixie wasn't at the station. Vince followed behind him and heard Roy huff in frustration.
Roy sat in one of the waiting room chairs and Vince said "I'm going to call Station 51, Roy. I'll give them an update that he's at Rampart."
Roy nodded and watched Vince go to the phones.
Captain Stanley answered the Station 51 phone rapidly.
"Station 51, Captain Hank Stanley speaking." Hank said.
Vince spoke "Hi, Hank. John's been found and he was recently transported to Rampart. That's about all we know right now."
Hank sighed in relief and said "Thanks, Vince. I'll let everyone know."
Hank looked back at the rest of his men and said "Johnny's been found. He's at Rampart right now. I'm standing us down. We're going over there."
The cheers within station 51 rang loud. They were all relieved that Johnny had been found, and now they could only hope that his condition wouldn't be deadly when they got there.
Dixie watched as Joe and Kel conversed while getting him situated in one of the Intensive Care rooms. Kel was relieved that Joe had been able to find where the internal bleeding was coming from. Joe had had to do a whole load of things to fix the internal problems that the guy had created.
Johnny was still in the danger zone and would need close observation, but his wounds were being well cared for. Dixie cringed at the memory of having seen the horrid words carved into Johnny's skin when the bandages were briefly removed to be changed. She was outraged that someone had dared to not only do that, but harm Johnny in so many other ways.
She updated Johnny's chart on the newest reading of vitals she took. None of the three within the room wanted to leave Johnny.
Dixie said "You two go back to your rounds. I know that we're all worried about him, but we need to get back to work. I'll make sure that a nurse comes in here often to check on him, though he should be out of it for a while."
Joe and Kel reluctantly agreed.
Dixie left the room after Kel and Kel questioned "Dix, have Roy or any of the others been contacted?"
Dixie frowned and said "I don't know, Kel. I'll call them when I get back to the desk."
Kel nodded and went to check on another patient. Dixie went towards her desk, but she spotted Roy in the waiting room. She was slightly relieved that she wouldn't have to break the news about finding Johnny to him.
She walked over to him and called out to him. He looked up quickly and sighed in relief.
Roy spoke "Dixie! How's Johnny doing? What all happened to him?"
Dixie smiled and told him "Come with me to the lounge, Roy. I'll get you some coffee and tell you what I know. Joe'll fill you in on most of the details once he gets a break. Do the others know that Johnny's here?"
Roy nodded as they walked and said "Yeah, Vince called them and they're on their way. We only got here about fifteen minutes ago. He had to leave for the sheriff's department to finish a report."
Dixie nodded as they entered the lounge and she got Roy a cup of coffee. They sat on the couch and she explained what she knew. Roy looked sullen by the time she was done.
She was quick to reassure "My nurses are watching him. Joe and Kel were both reluctant to leave him, and I know that they'll be doing frequent checks. Johnny's doing much better than when he first got here, but he's still in Intensive Care. I hate this so much, Roy. Those cuts on his chest and forearms are going to scar. Heck, lots of those wounds are going to scar!"
Roy grimaced and held his head in his hands. He just wanted Johnny to live. He didn't care if it would leave scars, and he was hopeful that Johnny would still be able to work at the station, but he mostly just wanted Johnny to live.
Roy then spoke "The only consolation right now is that the guy who did this is dead."
Dixie was slightly surprised at that statement, but she nodded in agreement. They sipped their coffees in silence for a little while.
Vince returned to the station as Crockett and the others were closing the case and putting files away. There would be no trial since word had finally reached them from KCSO that the killer was dead. Their main job now was to release the news to the public.
Crockett and the Sheriff greeted him.
Crockett spoke "How's John doing?"
Vince replied "I'm not really sure. I waited at Rampart with Roy for fifteen minutes and came back here to finish reports. We didn't really figure anything out about his condition in Kern County either, aside from the fact that he'd need surgery when he got here."
Crockett and the Sheriff nodded.
Crockett then said "We're releasing the killer's name and records. Hopefully this will give the families of the other victims closure of some sort since they can't see him go to jail. Vince, the guy flunked medical school and had a record of bad behavior, but he was still allowed to be a nurse at the very hospital that John was first taken to! It's ridiculous! He didn't have a criminal record, but he shouldn't have been allowed to be a nurse or around people!"
Vince sighed and said "Crockett, we can't prevent things like this just based upon someone's records. This specific guy was bad, but not everyone is. I'm just glad that the guy can't hurt anyone anymore."
Crockett sighed and said "Yeah, me too. I'll talk to you again later, Vince. Things are going to get really busy soon with the news making a special report about this. This case had gone country wide as of yesterday. I'm glad that we can now say that the killer's gone."
Vince nodded and went to his desk for reports. He'd watch the special report later.
Hank Stanley and the others soon arrived at the hospital and were directed to wait in the waiting room, but they were informed that Johnny was out of surgery and in the ICU. Hank stood as he saw Roy and Dixie come out of the lounge.
Roy smiled slightly as he said "I heard you guys come in, and I see that Dr. Early came to give updates. Well, Dr. Early, I'd also like to know the extent of Johnny's injuries."
Joe nodded and said "Well, when he first came in we had to take him into surgery to correct a problem concerning internal bleeding. We fixed that and he's recovering in the ICU now. He's intubated and we're keeping a close eye on things.
According to the charts that were sent with him after Roy authorized the transport, we found out that Johnny had a bump on the back of his head and that his pupils were unequally dilated. He has a concussion. His legs are also covered in chemical burns that should clear up with time. They'll scar, but he will regain full use of both legs.
His chest and abdomen were among the worst impacted, and going back in to correct the internal bleeding was risky, but actually helped more than harmed. We found that his internal structures had small parts missing, and some of those are what caused the internal bleeding. We believe that his captor took biopsies. His chest was also improperly sutured and I suspect that not everything was sanitary.
An infection appeared to be present and lab testing is still in progress, but we have him on antibiotics. He has a multitude of cuts on various areas of his body and slight damage in more sensitive areas due to the presence of a Foley catheter that wasn't properly removed.
The wounds on his hands have been bandaged as well. He also had some deep cuts on his head that required stitches. John's being watched closely. There are more minor injuries being treated, but if we can get John through the next twenty-four hours, we expect him to make a full recovery."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief at finally knowing Johnny's condition. They were fearful, but all of them had hope that Johnny would survive. They knew that Johnny was a fighter. Hank stood by Roy and clapped him on the shoulder. Roy smiled.
Roy questioned "Dixie, can we at least see him now?"
Dixie smiled and said "I suppose that I can bend the rules a little bit, but only one person at a time. The things I do for you guys!"
Roy smiled and laughed as he followed her to Johnny's room. He wanted to lay eyes on his partner. He had to make sure with his own eyes that Johnny was recovering.
Joanne put the kids in bed and turned on the news just as a special report came on. She figured that it would be the newest update on the case concerning Johnny's kidnapping. She turned the volume low and watched as Detective Crockett and others came on screen.
She gave all of her attention to the television as Crockett began to speak.
"Citizens of Los Angeles and the whole of California, the case concerning John Gage has come to a conclusion today." Crockett detailed as Joanne felt her breath catch in fear.
Crockett continued "Today, reports came in from Kern County that John Gage was located in the home of Jason Smith. This report came only after an initial call was made by John Gage himself to a close friend. Mr. Gage was able to relay the address where he was being kept and his kidnapper was apprehended and killed at the scene. Mr. Gage is now recovering in the Intensive Care Unit of an undisclosed hospital. The killer that has haunted California for the past few months has been killed and no longer poses a threat to anyone. More updates will follow eventually. Thank you for keeping track of this case and I thank everyone who helped in the rescue of Mr. Gage. Goodnight."
Joanne let her breath out and teared up in relief. Johnny had been found. She wondered if Roy even knew! She quickly got to the phone and dialed the station, but received no answer. She then dialed Rampart and was lucky that Dixie answered.
Joanne spoke with joy "Dixie! I just saw the news report! Is Roy there? Does he know that Johnny's been found?!"
Dixie smiled and replied "Joanne, Roy's here along with the rest of his shift's crew at station 51.
Joanne sighed in relief and then said exasperatedly "Well then, please put him on the phone if you can! I want to know why he hasn't called me."
Dixie snickered and called Roy over and said that it was Joanne calling. Roy paled. He had forgotten to call her with the good news.
Roy answered "Hi, honey."
Joanne huffed and said "Don't hi, honey me! Why didn't you call me?"
Roy answered "I honestly didn't think of it. I was just in a rush to get to him at first after he called the station and gave me all of the details and then made a trip to Kern county and back when he was brought to Rampart. It's been a wild afternoon and now night, honey. I'm sorry that I didn't call you earlier."
Joanne softened as she responded "It's okay, honey. I was just worried. I'm glad that he was found and that you're there with him. How is he, Roy?"
Roy answered "He's pretty beat up and had to have surgery when he got here, but he's recovering in the ICU. His hair was partially bleached. It'll need to be cut, but an inch from the roots is still his normal color. Dixie told me that she'll cut it off if that's what Johnny wants. It seems like the guy didn't know how to actually bleach hair. I don't know either though, so don't quote me. Dr. Early said that if Johnny makes it through the night, he should make a full recovery, but he'll have to stay in the hospital for a while."
Joanne sighed with relief as she said "That's great news, Roy. I'll pray for him. He'll probably want his hair cut. He won't like it short, but at least his hair grows fairly fast and it'll be the right shade. Keep me updated. I'll see you later. I love you."
Roy smiled as he ended the call with "I will, Jo. Love you too. Bye."
Dixie watched as Roy hung up the phone.
Meanwhile, over in the DeSoto residence Joanne hung the phone up with a smile and a squeal of happiness. She prayed that Johnny would have a speedy recovery.
Johnny groaned as he regained consciousness. He still felt horrible, but not as bad as when Jason had first laid him out on the metal table after finding him out of the restraints. He grimaced and heard someone gently asking him to open his eyes. It didn't sound like he was stuck in that basement anymore.
He slowly opened his eyes and let them adjust to the light of what he now realized was a hospital room. His vision was still slightly blurry, but he could hear perfectly, and see the blurry outline of Roy's face. He smiled and tried to say something, but kind of coughed and groaned.
Roy soon helped him take a drink and he thanked him. He was more conscious now and his body ached all over, but he could tell that he was on some pretty strong medicine. He could see a little bit better now, and groaned as Dr. Brackett checked his pupillary response.
Dr. Brackett spoke "Well, John, you've definitely got a concussion. Your pupillary response indicates that it's pretty bad as well. Have you had any seizures?"
Johnny responded "I think that I had one while I was stuck in that basement. What happened? How did I get out of there?"
Roy answered "I called everyone that I could and KCFD along with KCSO responded and got you out of there. You were transported to the local hospital and then airlifted to Rampart for surgery."
Dr. Brackett interjected with "You should also make a full recovery. You'll have scars, but from what Joe and I have seen, you should be fit for duty again by the end of next month. Your internal injuries will take the longest to heal. We've also got you on antibiotics to prevent further infection and treat one that had emerged at the incision site on your chest which has since been cleaned."
Johnny sighed in relief that he'd recover. He had been worried that he wouldn't be able to return for duty. He'd actually been worried that he wouldn't even make it out of that place for a while there. He was extremely glad to be out of that place.
He yawned as he said "Man, I'm still tired. Is that the good drugs, or is that the concussion?"
Dr. Brackett snickered and said "It's a mixture of everything that you've been through, Johnny. You've survived torture that went on for nearly a week. You can fall asleep now, but neuro checks will still occur periodically. You should also keep watch as there's still the possibility of another seizure."
Johnny nodded as he yawned again.
Johnny quickly said "Thanks, doc. Roy, thanks for getting me out of there. You're the best, partner."
Johnny then fell asleep again as Roy smiled.
The passage of time was slow for Johnny as he recovered. He was finally able to leave the hospital after a week and a half so long as he kept good care of his wounds. He had luckily had no more seizures other than the one he had suffered in that basement.
Johnny was also always itching somewhere where something was still healing, and he always grimaced when seeing the reminders of the torture. He was reluctantly seeing a therapist that Dr. Brackett had recommended and he was doing better than at first when it came to his emotions.
He hated that the words that had been cut into his skin would stay there as reminders. He had so many scars from that experience all around his body. He had gotten more scars from that than he had ever gotten as a fireman or paramedic.
He had been disturbed when he had first seen his bleached hair. He had had it cut really short while in the hospital. He was greatly relieved that his hair tended to grow fast. It was definitely shorter than he liked it, but he was extremely happy that it was the right color again. No blonde-white remained in his hair when he was able to leave the hospital! Dixie had done a wonderful job cutting his hair!
Roy and the guys from his shift had been the constant visitors at the hospital until he was finally released to go home, and Roy practically begged him to stay in his guest bedroom for a little while. Johnny had agreed. He was still recovering, and Roy had gone out of his way to help Johnny with whatever was thrown his way throughout his recovery.
The best part of everything was that Roy's kids were ecstatic to see him everyday and keep him company while Roy worked or Joanne did housework. Roy was also there for every bad dream that came, and held him as he trembled in fear that he was back in that basement. If it wasn't a sure thing before, they were more than just partners. They were friends, and they were brothers bonded by their experiences and partnership through the paramedic program.
Eventually, after a couple of weeks, Johnny did return to his place. Roy made sure to check on him daily and Joanne often brought food over. Johnny was feeling much better by the end of the third week, and the therapist was helping monumentally.
Hank Stanley and the guys all visited and checked on him periodically as well. Johnny was happy to know that he had so many people that cared about him. He had even gotten a call from his aunt who was in a nursing home and hadn't been able to visit.
The fourth week after his return home was the best though, as he was finally cleared by Dr. Early and Dr. Brackett to return to duty. He drove his Rover up to the station and grinned as he entered. He was pretty early, and he walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and Hank smiled widely when he saw him.
Hank grinned and said "Welcome back, Gage. It's good to see you here again."
Hank and Johnny both looked towards the entrance as they heard a joyful laugh. Johnny smiled as he watched his partner walk in.
Roy said "Agreed, Cap. I'm glad to have my partner back."
Mike was the next to get in, and Marco soon followed. Chet was the last one of the usual shift to arrive and got assigned to the latrines. Johnny noticed Mike staring at his forearms and nervously looked at Hank.
"Cap, these cars on my arms, you don't think they'll scare patients, do ya?"
Hank smiled softly and responded "Nope, and if they've got a problem with it, send them to me!"
Johnny smiled widely and thanked him. Roll call was soon completed and Johnny entered the kitchen for his duty. It was his first day back, and he was more than happy to cook. He cleaned up the counter and made a fresh pot of coffee while looking in the fridge and pantry to see what all they had in stock and if he'd have to run to the store with Roy later.
He decided that he'd have to get a few things at the market later, but he'd had enough eggs to whip up a snack. He soon made some scrambled eggs and the rest of the crew was drawn into the dining room by the smell.
Johnny got many thanks as they all sat down together to eat. It was one of the greatest moments of his life. He was overjoyed to be back at the station. The klaxons soon rang out for Squad 51.
Johnny and Roy shared a glance at each other and both smiled.
Roy said "Ready to go, partner?"
Johnny happily replied "Definitely, Roy! Let's go!"