Tell Them That You Love Them

Part Three: Joanne

Disclaimer: I don't own Emergency! or any of the characters. Cheers!


"Hey, Jo!"

"Well, hey yourself, Roy! How was wor . . . Oh my God, honey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. It's just a little scratch."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure, baby. Mmm. What smells so good?"

"It's dessert. For tonight. Chocolate fudge brownies with Cool Whi . . . hey, get your finger out of there! Roy DeSoto, I swear, sometimes you're as bad as the kids!"

"I just took a little from the side of the bowl! You'll never miss it."

"Roy! What are you . . . mmm . . .hey!"

"I love you, Joanne!"

"I love you, too, Roy. Roy?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I just love you all so much. You and Jen and Chris. I don't know what I'd do without all of you."

"Roy . . ."

"No, Jo, please . . . "

"Shhh! Let me hold you."

"I'll never forget the look on that man's face, Jo. Never. His whole family was gone: his wife, his son, his daughter. "

"Shhh, Roy . . ."

"We tried, Jo. We really tried. But it was . . . the fire was . . . out of control. It was too much. We tried to go in for them, but the whole thing just collapsed on us. The whole thing just came down right on top of us. We couldn't get to them, Jo. We tried."

"Oh, God!"

"They were . . . they were . . . just gone, Jo. Just gone. His whole family."

"Oh, honey!"

"That's why I have to tell you I love you, Jo. That's why I had to tell the kids. That's why I had to embarrass Chris in front of his friends. Hell, I even played Barbies with Jen."

"You did?"

"Yeah, I did. I had to, you know? I had to do it while I had the chance. Chris won't let me get away with hugging him like that much longer. He and I will just be shaking hands soon . . . "

"Oh, Roy . . ."

"My little Princess won't be playing Barbies much longer. She'll be wearing make up and hanging out with her girl friends, having crushes on rock stars, and she won't want her old man around anymore."

"Stop it, Roy!"

"No! It's true, Jo, and you know it. The kids are growing up. Fast! They'll be gone soon. Off having their own lives. They won't have time for us."

"Well, that will just give us more time alone with each other!"

"Mrs. DeSoto, you have a one-track mind, you know that?"

"Mmm. Yes, Mr. DeSoto, I do! Now, get out of here while I finish these brownies!"