Chapter 3

"I take it they know each other." Chet said, breaking the silence. "Not really, Chet." Roy said in a serious tone as took a step back from Hayden. It was Hank's laugh that broke the moment, leaving Chet to feel a little uncomfortable.

"I wouldn't be letting them talk to me like that if I were you." Hayden said, walking to take Chet's arm and leading him to the table. Hayden let her Scottish accent ring more clearly as she spoke the words. "Now, how about dinner. I hope you all like the meal." She added, placing the last salad bowl in front of Johnny.

"Don't worry, these guys will eat just about anything." Hank said, taking the first bite.

It wasn't until the dessert was finished that she received full thanks for her meal. Sure there had been many 'this is great' during the meal, but it was nice to hear more. It had been a long time since she had cooked for more than just herself.

Running hot water in the sink to wash the dishes, Hayden also filled the kettle and sat it on the stove to boil. "You don't have to do the dishes too. The one who cooks never cleans." Hank said, but Hayden just smiled. "Nonsense, I'll do the dishes, you guys can watch TV or what ever else you'd like to do. I insist." She said, knowing full well that Hank would argue with her.

Finally, he conceded and left her to do them.

"You wash, I'll dry." Roy said, as he brought the last of the dishes from the table. "You don't have to." She said, smiling at him. "I know." Was all he said as he picked up the towel on the sink, and helped her with the dishes.

"How are Joanne and the kids?" she asked after a long moment. Roy smiled, even though things between them were touchy, she still asked after his family. Chris and Jennifer loved Hayden, she was like and aunt to them. Hayden had been there when Jennifer had been born, and when things were touch and go when Chris was born, she had called him and assured him things would be fine.

"They're fine. The kids will be happy to see you. Chris still talks about spending the summer with you two years ago in Scotland. Joanne will insist on you coming to dinner, you know that right." Roy said, as he dried another dish. "I know." She answered.

The other members of the crew had all left leaving Roy and Hayden alone. No one knew what to think; they had never seen Roy like this before, except when he was with Joanne. Roy's behavior puzzled Johnny. Roy had never said a word about Hayden to him, and Johnny wanted more details on what had to be a long relationship between two people.

"So, Johnny, have you ever heard Roy say any thing about this girl before?" Chet asked, bringing Johnny from his thoughts. "No, never." Johnny answered.

"I think they've know each other a long time." Mike said, joining Johnny and Chet. "I do too." Came the reply from Marco as he walked over to the rest of the crew.

"Yeah, it seems that way. You know, I never knew Cap had a God-daughter either." Johnny said, sitting up on his bunk. "She's really pretty, don't you think so, Johnny?" Chet asked, turning the heads of the others. They all knew how Johnny was a lady's man, and wondered if he had plans to try to win this one over. They all knew what Chet was trying to do, and as always, Johnny fell for it. "Very." Was all he said, and this brought a laugh from the others in the room.

"It sounds like your friends are all having a good time, you can join them if you'd like, I can finish this." Hayden said as she put the last dish in the sink. "If I know those guys, I would say that Chet just got one on Johnny." Roy said, knowing it would be over Hayden. "Over me, you think." Hayden said, smiling at knowing his thoughts just like always. "Of course. Johnny likes to pride himself in being a…" "A lady's man." Hayden supplied, and Roy gave a small laugh and nodded his head.

It was then, with the laughter still coming from the other room that Johnny entered the kitchen. "Bunch of pranksters." He muttered as he came through the door.

"Chet after you again, Junior?" Roy said as he put the last of the dishes away. "I don't want to talk about it." Johnny said as he sat on the couch.

As Roy turned to his partner, the call tones for the station rang out, bring Johnny to his feet. "Station 35, Engine 51, storage building fire. 3452 Baker's Drive, crossroads Elm and Stratton, Time out 2000." "Engine 51, 10-4, KMG 365." Came the captain's reply as the crew of the engine rush to go.

"Well, that leaves us out." Johnny said, as he settled himself back on the couch. Just then, the kettle Hayden had put on the stove began to whistle softly. "How about some tea?" she asked, as she went to gather three cups from the cupboard. "Sounds good, but I have to call Joanne first, but go ahead and make it, I'll be right back." Roy said as he left Johnny alone with Hayden.

"I never like hot tea very much." Johnny said as he rose from the couch to join her at the bar. Hayden smiled, "I promise you will like this." She said, pulling out three small bags from her purse.

Turning to get the sugar, Hayden gathered three spoons and the kettle from the stove before facing Johnny again. "How long have you and Roy been partners now, Johnny?" she asked as she went to the refrigerator to get a lemon, and the honey she had bought.

"Almost five years now." He answered, watching her as she moved. "So, you know each other pretty well then." "Yeah, you could say that. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him, and I think he feels the same way."
Hayden smiled, sitting a cup in front of him, adding first a teaspoon of sugar, then one of the bags from her purse.

Stirring it gently, she said, "Now, you try this, and see what you think." Johnny was hesitant for a moment, as he watched her fix another cup, like she had his, then the third cup she did different.

First squeezing a slice of lemon, then adding a half a teaspoon of honey before she added the last of the three bags to the cup.

"How come that one is different?" he asked before he thought. Hayden smiled, "Roy doesn't like sugar in his, and the spices are just a bit different." She said as she sipped the first of her tea. "Well, are you going to wait until that gets cold?" Johnny looked down at his cup, steam still rising from it, and smiled that crocked smile of his. "Sorry." He said, putting the cup to his lips, and sipping the hot liquid. "Umm, this is really good."

Hayden smiled, "I told you you'd like it." Johnny gave a half laugh, and sipped again.