Disclaimer: I DO NOT own anything! Well, I own the car ok I'll admit to that much. But right, I don't own any of the characters, the show, nada, none-ya. Just wanted to make that clear!

Author's Note: This is my first fic, so go easy on me. I love Lt. Johnson to death so I figured writing about him would be a good way to start. Sorry if anyone already wrote something similar (I didn't know!)

*When Doc wheeled Lieu into the ER, he said: "48-year-old male with probably thickness burns over face, hands and chest....." Ok, they weren't REALLY thickness burns, they were the farthest thing from thickness burns possible. Ask any medic, or nurse, they will tell you. BUT I went with it anyway. Sorry NBC, some of us do our homework.*

Thank You To:

Codes(CCA), Mimsy(TWJunkie), Matty(NMatt101), Jess-Sox(3WJunkie), Rebel Jess (Boscogirl) and Crazy (Pyrojo) For helping me do this, even until 4am, listening to me scream about it, and for the daddy-daughter help. Crazy ~ Thanks for the medical help! And of course, thanks you to JMB (aka Lt. Johnson) for playing such a kick ass character, that I had to write about him!!!

~*~

Absolute Fire-FIGHTER ~ Chapter 1

Absolute Firefighters: This heroic title is reserved for those courageous people who have dedicated their lives to saving others. Without hesitation, they are always ready to respond to any life-threatening situation! With their life on the line, they bravely battle any blaze! - Erazor Bits

Ruth Johnson sat in the back of the District Fire Chief's SUV, while the tears continued streaming down her face. She sat nervously, twisting a strand of her brown hair in her hand. The outside world shut down, the mere second that District Chief Anderson, and Battalion Chief Miller showed up at her door step. She then found herself fighting off the hysterics, that would naturally follow the news that her husband of 23 years was injured. The absolute love of her life, the man she shared a beautiful 19-year-old daughter with, was now fighting for his life. The news that Alex Taylor, was now dead and her mother, Beth, a close friend, must grieve once again. All these thoughts plagued Ruth Johnson's mind, as they pulled up to Mercy hospital.

Being escorted inside by both chiefs, she was immediately met by the sympathetic, and concerned eyes of her husband's colleagues and co-workers. DK was the first to walk over and wrap her in a hug, "the doctor will be out soon to talk to us."



Her blue eyes continued to produce tears, as she pulled from DK and asked, "Is he....?"

"He's hanging on. He won't give up, he's a fighter." DK replied cutting her off.

Ruth let out a quivering sigh, knowing the last thing her husband would ever do was give up.

"Where's Bridge?" DK asked.

Wiping away her tears, Ruth answered, "I didn't want to call her until I knew."

"Ok. I'll call her for you," DK replied, "What's the number?"

Still in a state of semi-shock and distress, she managed to ramble off the number of her daughter's cell phone to DK. Inside she felt a slight bit of relief, knowing that DK would call for her. She had a constant fear of the day she would have to call her daughter, and tell her news of this caliber.

Taking a deep breath, DK dialed the numbers in the phone at the nurse's station.

~*~

Bridgette Johnson paced up and down the hair dye aisle of CVS, "Chocolate covered cherry." she read outloud, reaching for a box of dye, but then quickly putting it back, "Ew, way to dark."

Flipping her long and curly light brown hair, which now had blonde highlights, she continued to scan the other boxes on the shelf. Looking up to the top shelf, she spotted another color she liked. Only standing 5'5", she was unable to reach the top shelf alone, so she jumped up and snagged the box. Flipping it over, she began to read the back, when she was interrupted by the sound of her cell phone ringing. Not recognizing the number that flashed on the screen, she answered it slightly confussed, "Hello?"

A familiar voice replied, "Bridgette, it's DK."

Bridgette's body froze, and the box of hair dye fell from her grasp to the floor, "What happened?" she asked.

DK replied calmly, "Bridge, listen to me sweetie. Just relax, stay calm, and come down to Mercy ok?"

Bridgette swallowed hard, "Ok."

"I'll wait for you out front, alright?" DK asked.

"Uh huh." Bridgette whispered.

"Be careful." DK said.

"Uh huh. Bye." Bridgette replied.



~*~

Hanging up the receiver, he walked back to the group of FDNY that was comforting Ruth, "She's on her way."

Ruth nodded, "Thank you."

"I'm going to wait for her outside." DK stated.

Ruth nodded again, because nodding was about all she could do at the point. DK then turned and slowly headed outside.

"Ruth." A familiar voice cracked. Ruth turned around, to see Beth Taylor standing before her with Kim Zambrano.

"Oh God Beth." Ruth cried walking over, and embracing her friend, "I am so sorry."

Beth nodded into Ruth's shoulder, "How's Francis?"

"Holding on." Ruth cried.

"He won't give up." Beth said, "Did you call Bridgette?"

Ruth nodded, "DK did, he's waiting for her outside."

Beth pulled away slowly. Her face wore the look of someone who's heart had been torn out. She spoke quietly, "I have to get going I have...."

"Absolutely." Ruth whispered, cutting her friend off.

Beth then gave her friend another hug, "Please call, and let me know how he's doing."

Ruth nodded, "I will."

~*~

Bridgette ran as fast as she could, out of the store and to her Cavalier. Unsure of how she was even functioning, she got out her car keys, and jumped in. She pressed in the clutch, started it up, and put on her seatbelt as fast as she could. Once she let go of the ignition, her car keys dangled down. Looking down she began to feel tears forming, as she stared at the keychain that read "Daddy's Girl". She sniffed hard, then shifted up into first gear, and took off to Mercy.

~*~

"Mrs. Johnson?" Dr. Fields asked, walking out of the trauma room.

"Yes?" Ruth answered shakily, still surrounded by the FDNY and holding tightly onto Bill Walsh's arm.

"Your husband is stable but he's not out of the woods by far. He has probable 2nd and 3rd degree burns over the right side of his face, the top of his chest, his entire right arm, and both hands. He has a tib-fib fracture of his right leg, and a concussion. We're treating him with antibotics, pain medication and IV fluids. We also had to intubate him, to help him breathe. We're going to move him up to the Burn ICU, and they'll take it from there." Dr. Fields explained.

Ruth nodded, trying to process the medical jumble that the doctor had just rambled off to her, "Will he be alright? How long will he have to stay?"

Dr. Fields sighed, "It's hard to say. But they'll be able to tell you more upstairs."

"Thank you doctor," Ruth quietly replied.

Dr. Fields nodded, "You can head up to the burn unit, it's on the 4th floor."

Ruth swallowed, "my daughter. I'm waiting for my daughter."

"I'll go tell DK, and he'll bring her up when she gets her." Logan, another firefighter, spoke up.

Ruth nodded. Her face had a look of pure panic, and although she was registering what the doctor was telling her, she was still in disbelief. Reality slightly began to set in, when Walsh led her over to the elevators, along with Chiefs Anderson and Miller.

"She's probably driving like a maniac," Ruth said quietly, as they stepped into the elevator.



Walsh gave her a reasurring look, "She'll be fine."

Ruth sniffled, "I think I'm more worried about her right now than anything."

"She still Daddy's Girl?" Walsh asked, as the elevator stopped and they stepped out.

Ruth let out a sigh wiping her tears, "Of course she is. One of her friends even bought her a shirt that says "Daddy's Little Princess" on it! She took evening classes this semester so she could be home when he's home. She still runs to him with every problem she has, he's the first person she tells something to. If something important happens while he's at work, she's up until whatever time he gets home to tell him."



Walsh shook his head and grinned, as they walked into the waiting room of the burn unit, "She still nag you about being a firefighter?"

"Twice a day. At least twice a day. He told her she could, then I put my foot down. Then she says 'Mom, what about a paramedic?'. So I'm supposed to be 'thinking about it'," Ruth replied, slowly sitting down in one of the chairs.

Chief Anderson looked to her, "Mrs. Johnson do you need anything? Do you want something to drink?"

"Oh, no sir, thank you," Ruth replied.

Chief Anderson nodded and then sat down with Chief Miller and Walsh.