A/N: Thank you to Xav for this awesome RP that turned into the epilogue for this story and thank you to all my readers!
EPILOGUE:
One Year Later
As Roy settled himself on the bench to change before shift started, he wondered how Mike would manage the day. It was to be his first day back after they'd almost lost him, and Roy wanted to do his part to make sure it went smoothly. When Chet arrived-surprisingly early enough that he wouldn't end up with latrines-Roy decided he'd better say something. "Make sure you go easy on Mike today, Chet. I know how the Phantom likes to welcome folks back after an absence."
Chet tossed his head and rolled his eyes. "You're no fun, ya know that Roy? A real stick-in-the-mud, that's what you are. But fine… I'll have a talk with the Phantom."
Cap came out from his office… Apparently, he had been doing some thinking as well. He looked at the two. "You guys pass the word to be easy with Mike today. No shenanigans. Do what you can to make things go as smoothly as you can for him. It's been a rough recovery and we don't need him getting hurt again. And Chet, that means, don't annoy him, Pal."
Chet just sat there shaking his head. "Awww, Cap. You guys'll never let a man shake a reputation, will ya? I'm not annoying!"
John walked in just in time to hear the last. "You tellin' tales again, Chet?" His eyes were dancing with fun. He stuffed his bag in the locker, then sat down to change. "Mike's back today, right?"
"Yeah," Roy said. "And we're makin' sure he has a good day. Help him out, make it smooth, let him ease back into things."
John's forehead wrinkled. He wasn't so sure that was what Mike would want. "He did pass all his tests, ya know. He's physically ready for this." He nudged Chet with his elbow. "Phantom have any plans for ol' Mike today?"
Chet eyeballed Roy and Cap, then shook his shaggy head. "No way. I'm not the annoying one in this station, and I won't let the Phantom be annoying either. At least… not to Mike. His usual pigeon had better be prepared." He waggled his bushy eyebrows.
Johnny just rolled his eyes. "Prepared, yeah… to get revenge!" And he was pretty sure he knew who would be happy to help him. He'd get Mike aside and talk over some ideas with him.
Cap shook his head. "No. Not this shift. No Phantom. No Pigeon. I want a peaceful day, and I mean it. You guys better cool it."
John's brow furrowed. "But Cap… Mike's gonna think aliens abducted the real us or somethin'!" He hummed the Twilight Zone theme.
"Knock it off, Gage, unless you want latrines… which you get anyway since you were last in except Stoker, and he isn't due in until 10. He has paperwork to sign."
John looked around. "I don't see Marco anywhere."
"He's already in the dayroom. He picked up a shift last night, so watch out, he may be a bit grumpy. He's on his third cup of coffee."
"Fine." John sighed heavily. "And I woke up early and everything. Woulda been here sooner, but I caught a kid tryin' to siphon from my gas tank. Had to scare him off."
Chet smirked, "That old rust bucket should have scared him off in the first place."
"Go play on the freeway, Chet! " John's hand flew to his chest as he grumbled. "My Ranger isn't a rustbucket! You probably put him up to it, just to make me late."
Roy raised his hands and looked skyward for a second, sending up a silent plea. "Come on, guys. Play nice."
"Mike's not even here yet!" Chet protested.
"Yeah," John agreed. "We need time to get it out of our systems."
"Buncha twits!" Cap growled and headed back to his office.
Ira Tilson, their replacement Engineer came in to say goodbye and turn in his gear. The ruddy-faced, ruggedly built man was well-liked by all the men on the shift, and they were glad he would be staying within their district. He just felt better clearing out before Mike got there. It was less awkward that way. He signed his final shift paperwork and was gone by 9:30. The station had been placed on stand down until after Mike's arrival at Cap's request.
At 9:45 Mike pulled up in his beat-up old truck. If you discounted the few visible scars, and the fact that he had lost some weight, Mike looked much the same as he had before the accident. But the shorter hair and the scar on his head, where his hair refused to grow, was the one stark reminder of the day that had changed him in some ways forever. He could still do his job, but he had to work harder at it than the others would ever know. He had fought so hard to get to this point, and now he was back. But he had a harder time with certain things, and so he was even quieter than before… more observant… more-Mike.
He smiled as he came into the dayroom. "Hey fellas."
"Mike! Welcome back!" Roy leapt to his feet and moved to pull out a chair. He patted on the back of it. "Come on… have a seat. I'll get you a cup of coffee." He moved to the cabinet, pulled out a cup, and filled it up.
"Hey, Mike," Johnny said, and he waved. Chet did the same.
Marco grinned from his place at the table, "Good to have you back, amigo!"
Mike took a good look at Marco. "Pulled a double, huh?"
"Si, and it was rough last night. I hope today is quiet." He immediately clapped a hand over his mouth as he realized what he had said.
Mike grimaced. "Now you've done it!"
Johnny was rolling his eyes. Chet was glaring at Marco. And Roy just sat there, shaking his head. "Ya had to say it, didn't ya? Just watch-as soon as Cap puts us in service, that klaxon won't stop sounding."
Cap stuck his head in… "We're going back on in ten, fellas. Roll call in five."
Marco finished his coffee and asked Mike if he needed any more, or anything else, for that matter. Mike looked at him a little strangely, but said no, he was fine.
Johnny suddenly clapped a hand to his chest. "I forgot my badge. Be right back." He hurried to the locker room and pulled open the door to his locker. Sproing! The Phantom had struck after all, in spite of Cap's orders. "Chet!" Johnny hollered, wiping water from his face.
Irritated, he pulled out his badge and pinned it in place, then headed to the bay for roll call. At least he wouldn't be late for that.
Back in the day room, Chet was insisting to a glowering Roy, "The Phantom didn't do anything! I swear, fellas!"
In the bay, Cap was waiting, and he wasn't too happy. He glared at Chet and then welcomed Mike back. "Now, Mike, if you need anything, or need a break, just say so. It's fine. The first few days back are bound to be tough."
Mike protested. "Cap, I'm fine. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't suited for work." He turned to the others. "Look, I'd rather just drop the whole thing, okay?"
Though there were mumbles of general agreement, Mike had a feeling this argument was nowhere near over.
Roy gently clapped Mike on the back. "We're here for you, Mike. We've got your back. Really, whatever you need."
"Yeah," Chet added. "We just wanna make your return smooth and easy."
Johnny was standing on Mike's other side. He leaned in and whispered in Mike's ear. "I tried to tell 'em you wouldn't want this. No one listened to me."
Mike nodded morosely. "What I need is to do my job, not all this intense coddling." And as if Dispatch had heard him, the tones dropped. Mike grinned and hopped into his beloved engine. Hopefully the others would get the hint and stop with the nursemaiding. And hopefully the Phantom would get nailed with the other trap he had set before Chet found it. It wasn't too often Mike got to prank anyone, and he wanted to ease back into the routine in his own way. Of course, Jell-O in a guy's shoes was kinda mean, but still…
~The End~