Dr. Brackett and Dr. Morton intently studied the x-ray templates of Roy's chest and skull. Both physicians had enough experience in the field of medicine to easily identify the severity of the injuries and recognize the symptoms of a collapsed lung and concussion. The x-ray's merely confirmed their diagnosis.

"Mike, we need to get him into surgery soon."

"I know. I'll check with Dr. Caine, see if the O.R. is ready."

"Thanks Mike. I'll go talk to JoAnne."

Next door in treatment room two Dr. Early was examining the x-ray of Johnny's skull and arm. He had reached his diagnosis.

"Johnny, you have a mild concussion, and both your radius and ulna are broken. You're also suffering from compartment syndrome in your arm."

"Explains the pain." Johnny dryly commented. "What's the next step?"

"We need to drain the fluid building up in your arm. Otherwise you'll continue to experience extreme pain and possible irreversible damage to your hand and fingers."

"Surgery?"

"Normally we would just drain the fluid, but since it' been building for so long without immediate treatment, it looks like minor surgery is the best option."

Johnny sighed heavily. "Great. When do we start?"

"Soon. It's a slow day, as soon as an O.R. opens up we'll get you in."

"Thanks. I guess."

"You're still worried about Roy."

"Of course I am. How in the world do you just stop caring about your friend?"

"You don't. But you need to stop thinking in such a cynical manner, it won't help anyone."

"I know."

"Just relax here." He put his hand on Johnny's shoulder before he made his way toward the door. "I'll go inform your captain."

"Hey, Doc?"

"Yeah?" He stopped in the doorway.

"JoAnne?"

He forced a grin to his face. "Dixie is explaining everything to her, and Marco is keeping her company."

"Good ol' Marco."

Dr. Early walked into the doctor's lounge. Dixie and Marco were trying to be of some comfort to JoAnne. The three of them were sitting around the small circular table in the middle of the room, which smelt of stale coffee.

"Dix?"

"Yes Joe?" She turned her gaze to her colleague.

"Has Kel updated you yet?"

"Not yet." Dixie put her hand on JoAnne's trembling arm. "What about Johnny?"

"Mild concussion and broken arm. He'll need minor surgery on the arm, but he's awake, coherent and more focused on Roy than himself."

JoAnne couldn't hide the small grin. She had gotten to know Johnny pretty well and was familiar with his stubbornness.

Dr. Brackett walked into the doctor's lounge ready to inform JoAnne on her husband's condition. "JoAnne?"

"Dr. Brackett." She turned in her chair and looked at Dr. Brackett with concern in her eyes. "How's Roy?"

He sat down at the table across from her. "He's alive and holding his own. But we need to perform surgery to repair the damage to his lung."

"Oh God..." She clasped her hands together and pressed them against her chin.

"It'll be okay. This kind of procedure is not at all uncommon."

"But it's still surgery." She closed her eyes and tried to get the image of Roy laying on the operating table out of her mind.

"When it's all over I'll find you and answer all your questions. It shouldn't take more than two hours."

She nodded silently, small tears began rolling down her face.

Dixie instinctively resumed trying to ease JoAnne's nervousness as Dr. Brackett slowly left the lounge. Dr. Early followed his colleague into the hallway. "Kel? Think there will be any complications?"

"I don't know. Roy went into v-fib during transport, but he successfully converted without any medicinal support." He grimaced at the thought of having to possibly restart his friend's heart. "How's Johnny?"

"Like Roy he's going to need surgery to reduce the effects of the compartment syndrome before it does any irreparable damage."

"It's a shame. Two talented paramedics are going to be out of action for weeks all because of one driver."

Captain Stanley had seen the two doctor's talking and approached the conversation. "One drunk driver." He corrected.

Both Dr. Brackett and Dr. Early gave the edgy captain sympathetic looks.

"Did I hear you say they'll both need surgery?"

"Unfortunately." Dr. Early answered. "It's their only option."

"Damn it." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I take it you just told JoAnne?"

"Yeah. She's scared."

"I don't blame her. As much as I want to stay here, Chief McConike wants us back at the station as soon as the back-up squad and temporary paramedics can be found."

"If you're not here when everything is over I'll call you at the station."

"Thanks. Look, I'm going to check in with JoAnne, think you could update Chet and Mike?"

"Sure." Dr. Early answered in his usual laidback manner.

Johnny was staring at the ceiling of the treatment room, completely oblivious to the very attractive nurse keeping an eye on him. His thoughts were focused on Roy and he kept replaying the accident over and over again in his mind. The guilt, the unfounded and agonizing guilt still ate away at him.

In walked Dixie. She motioned for Sharon to leave so she could have a private moment with Johnny. "So, how's my favorite patient?"

"Broken and miserable."

"Aw, come on. Don't talk like that."

"It's true. My arm's broken and I have a miserable headache."

"Johnny?" She crossed her arms and gave him stern look. "Stop thinking about the accident."

"I can't help it."

"Yes you can. I know you've already heard this today but you have to stop blaming yourself."

"I can't, Dix. Roy's my partner, I should've been able to help him!"

"John Gage, you listen to me. You were both injured in the accident. You were both hit by the other driver. You were both knocked unconscious. Now, you tell me exactly how a paramedic does his job while he's injured AND unconscious?"

He didn't have an answer. He just swallowed his guilt and resumed staring at the blank white ceiling overhead.

"I heard the story from Marco. The other driver was drunk. You didn't make him take a drink and you didn't make him get behind the wheel. He chose to drink and he chose to drive."

"Yeah."

"Yeah. Now, the O.R. is all set up. You'll be taken into surgery soon. When you wake up your arm is going to feel a whole lot better and your partner is going to be breathing a whole lot easier. The last thing he needs to see when he wakes up is his partner beating himself up for a crime he didn't commit."

"Thanks Dixie."

"No problem. I enjoy our little talks."

For the first time since the accident Johnny found something to smile about.

...to be continued...