Isaac kept a watchful eye on his patient as he eased himself into the hydrotherapy tub. He couldn't help but be somewhat amused as John's facial expression changed from one of wide-eyed surprise at the heat to something more relaxed as that same heat soaked in. If Isaac assumed correctly, that heat was probably easing a whole lot of that stiffness that remained after the cast had been removed.

He'd seen the effects hundreds of times, but the transformative effects of hydrotherapy never ceased to amaze Isaac. It seemed to calm even the most recalcitrant patients and make it a lot easier to convince them to do the necessary work to get them back to as normal a life as possible.

Not that John was like that most of the time. No, most days, John showed up ready to work, bringing the same spirit to his recovery as he apparently did to his regular job, the one John seemed eager to return to.

Isaac had seen it too many times, guys whose whole identity seemed wrapped up in their jobs. It was devastating to a lot of them to realize that they wouldn't be able to return to those jobs, even after a successful course of therapy. But John didn't strike Isaac as one of those guys, necessarily. John just really loved what he did, loved it as much as he loved anything else in his life.

One thing about John, the man loved to talk. Isaac had heard damn near every thought that passed through John's head over the course of working with him, and while he wasn't supposed to get too involved in the lives of his patients, a little background information was always useful in developing treatment plans. And John had given Isaac a whole lot to work with. John had talked about everything, his outdoor adventures, the guys at his station, both his former and his current paramedic partners, and of course, Diane.

John had talked Isaac's ear off about Diane. Things were serious between them, at least on John's end. Sometimes he referred to her as his girlfriend, other times his fiancée. Isaac wasn't sure which it was now, because today John was remarkably silent.

John going quiet was always a bad sign.

But for the time being he seemed relaxed, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, his arms stretched out on either side of him. It seemed as good a time as any to check in on him.

"Hey, John." Isaac ventured.

John opened one eye, but otherwise didn't respond. Isaac sighed internally. Today was going to be a tough one.

Isaac decided to try again. "You gonna talk to me today, John?"

John opened both eyes and let out a little huff. "Kind of wish I had room for one of these things at home."

"I wouldn't mind having one myself." Isaac answered, sensing an opening. "You want to try flexing that foot and ankle?"

John looked thoughtful as he did so, following it up with a nod. "Not too bad."

"Okay, good." Isaac was encouraged. "Now, let's see about that knee."

The thoughtful expression turned to a slight frown, the tension obvious. It reminded Isaac of that first time they had worked together. John had come a long way since then, but didn't seem to realize it.

Finally, John shook his head. "It's not moving too good today, Isaac."

"That's alright." Isaac assured him. "We'll work on it a little more. Are you hurting anywhere?"

John smiled ever so slightly. "Not now."

Isaac sighed heavily. "You're killing me today, you know that?"

John huffed and rolled his eyes. "My knee, mostly. My hip, too."

Isaac had his suspicions as to why, but wanted to hear it from John. "What have you been doing?"

"Nothing." John answered defensively.

"Come on, now." Isaac scolded him.

John's eyes flicked downward, staring into the swirling water. "Been trying to get around a little bit without the crutches. You know, just around the apartment."

Isaac wasn't surprised. "You know you're not ready for that, right?"

"Figured it couldn't hurt to try." John answered quietly.

"We'll get there." Isaac told him. "Gotta have a little patience. Now, come out of there and we'll get started."

John looked irritated as he pushed himself up on the side of the tub. "Yeah, well, I'm running a little low on patience these days."

"I know you are." Isaac replied. "And I know you're willing to do what it takes. You've been doing it all this time. You just need to slow down a little."

"Hell, if I slow down any more, I'll be going backwards." John answered with uncharacteristic sharpness.

Isaac took a deep breath. Clearly there was more going on here. Maybe if he waited long enough, John would start talking about it like he talked about everything else.

They started working through the series of flexibility exercises, but John revealed nothing more that would explain his mood shift. He did seem to be feeling better physically, and so Isaac was content to let things be for the time being.

"All right, John, time's up." Isaac finally told him. "Keep working on the flexibility. We should be able to move into some strength work next session."

The slightest smile flashed across John's face. "Got that to look forward to, I guess."

"You're getting there." Isaac told him. "It might not seem like it, but you are."

John extended a hand. "Thanks, Isaac."

Isaac accepted the extended hand, somewhat encouraged by the ever so slight shift in John's mood. Maybe the next session would go a little better.

He glanced up when the door opened, immediately recognizing John's paramedic partner, Adam.

Well, that wasn't how Isaac knew him, but John didn't need to know that.

Adam placed a hand on John's shoulder. "Ready to go?"

"Yep." John immediately pushed himself to his feet with his crutches and turned to leave.

Adam seemed startled, watching as John quickly made his way to the door. "Is he okay?"

"You tell me." Isaac answered. "You know him better than I do."

"Beats the hell out of me." Adam sighed heavily. "I was kind of hoping he'd be in a better mood now."

"Come on, Adam." John called from the door. "I don't have all day."

Adam shook his head. "I suppose I'd better catch up with him."

"Suppose so."

Adam seemed to pause just before leaving, then turned back around. "Listen, I know we haven't really talked in a while, but…"

Isaac wanted to point out that they hadn't done a whole lot of talking then, but held back. "But what?"

"Was wondering if you wanted to get together." Adam continued. "That's all."

In another time or place, Isaac would have jumped at the chance. But after so much time, he was less inclined. "I'll think about it."

Adam smiled ever so slightly. "I don't hear a 'no'."

"Don't push it." Isaac answered.

"Adam." John called out again, a little more impatiently this time.

"You'd better go." Isaac told him.

"Right." Adam nodded. "Until next time."

Isaac watched him catch up with John and heard the two of them give each other grief all the way out the door and into the hallway. He had to wonder if John really knew what Adam was like. John seemed a little more comfortable with Adam than any straight man would normally be.

Isaac shook his head. John Gage was surely one of the most interesting patients he'd ever worked with. All the more reason to figure out what the hell was going on with him.

# # #

Adam caught up to Johnny near the door, feeling a little more hopeful about rekindling things with Isaac. A maybe was better than a no, he figured.

"About damn time." Johnny grumbled. "What took you so long, anyway?"

"I was just talking to Isaac, that's all."

Johnny eyed him skeptically. "Any reason?"

Adam groaned inwardly, regretting ever admitting to knowing Isaac. Johnny hadn't shut up about it since. "Just making conversation."

"Yeah, I'll bet." Johnny replied.

"I told you to leave it alone." Adam answered sharply. "Mind your own business."

"I'm caught between you two. Therefore, it is my business." Johnny told him as they made their way outside. "Better than any soap opera."

Adam sighed. "Wait here."

He left Johnny to sit on one of the benches while he retrieved his car. The convertible had been his high school graduation present, and he had babied it all these years. It was the one constant in his life, seeing him through his time at the fire academy, his first assignment in San Francisco, graduation from paramedic training, and now here.

It was probably the longest relationship he'd ever had, his friendship with Johnny notwithstanding.

Surely he and Johnny had one of the oddest partnerships in the whole paramedic corps, even odder than Craig and Bob. How those two managed to work together without killing each other was beyond him.

He had mentioned it to Bob the last time they'd worked together a couple of weeks before. Bob had merely laughed it off. "You can't let that shit get to you." He'd told Adam. "It's just the way he is."

Adam realized that was usually his explanation for when others commented on how difficult it must be to work with someone as unserious as Johnny. But what most people didn't realize was how serious Johnny was once he was on scene, how he had an ability to calm even the most hysterical patients. Once the danger was past, Johnny could be goofy as hell, saying some of the most off the wall shit. But that was just how Johnny dealt with what could be some pretty horrifying circumstances.

It's just the way he is.

And Adam knew there were plenty who weren't exactly comfortable working with him, either, as if homosexuality were some kind of contagious disease. Some flat out refused to work with him, and that was fine. Adam would rather people be open about their disgust than be quiet about it. He could deal with that.

But Johnny had never been that way. From day one it had never been a problem, and even after Adam had been outed at Fifty-One, Johnny had been good and ready to stand up for Adam if needed.

Fortunately, it hadn't been an issue. If any of those guys had an issue, Adam never knew about it.

He pulled up to the curb, and Johnny made his way over, easing himself down into the car without incident, and soon they were on the road.

Adam slowed down, and he could see Johnny seem to perk up a little as the hot dog stand came into sight. If there was one thing that might pull Johnny out of his funk, a couple of chili dogs and fries from one of their favorite stops might be the thing to do it.

"The usual?" Adam asked as he backed the car into a spot.

The briefest grin flashed across Johnny's face. "You already know."

Adam went to the counter and placed the order, making idle conversation with the young woman working the counter. She was nice enough if a bit relentless with the flirting. There were only so many ways he could let her know he wasn't interested in pursuing anything.

Chet would probably like her, though. Adam would be sure to mention it next shift.

He returned to the car with their order, handing the box to Johnny as he climbed back in and closed the door. Soon they had their food divided up and they were eating in near silence.

If Adam had hoped getting some food in Johnny would get him to start talking, he was very much mistaken. But something was bothering the other man, Adam knew that. One couldn't work so closely with another guy for so long and not know how to read him.

He waited until Johnny popped the last bite of chili dog into his mouth before he finally said something. "Something's bugging you."

Johnny paused, a scowl crossing his face, but he didn't say anything. Adam decided to take a different tack. "You just seem like you're having a hard time. I wouldn't mention it, except it's not like you."

Johnny started straight ahead, seeming to focus on something in the distance, still silent. And a silent Johnny worried Adam more than anything else.

"You know, the department has its own shrink." Adam continued.

"I don't need a shrink." Johnny answered quietly.

"There's nothing wrong with it." Adam argued. "Hell, I've talked to him myself. He's a pretty good guy."

That seemed to get Johnny's attention. "Why would you do that?"

"Well, my partner has now almost died in front of me twice." Adam told him. "This last time really shook me up, and I was having a hard time with it."

"And you say spilling your guts to a stranger helped."

"There was a little bit more to it than that, but yes."

Johnny fell silent, and Adam waited as Johnny seemed to consider the idea. Finally, he spoke again. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure."

Johnny took a deep breath. "You ever think that maybe I won't come back?"

"Do you?"

"I asked you first."

Adam knew that Johnny would accept nothing but brutal honesty. "I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. Mostly, I think you will, but I suppose there's always a possibility that you won't."

Johnny merely nodded at that. "Thanks."

Adam was baffled. "For what?"

"For being honest with me." Johnny told him. "Not that I don't appreciate all the encouragement. I do. Sometimes it's just too much though, you know?"

Adam smiled a little at that. "I suppose even you can't be sunshine and rainbows all the time."

"Is that how you think of me?"

"You do tend to be the optimist of the station." Adam pointed out.

Johnny huffed. "Not feeling too optimistic these days."

"Understandable." Adam answered. "This hasn't been easy for any of us, least of all you."

Johnny looked thoughtful before nodding. "Can't hurt to talk to the guy, I guess."

"Can't hurt and might help."

"Kind of feel better already." Johnny commented casually. "Now, what's going on with you and Isaac?"

"Oh my God, Johnny." Adam sighed, feeling his face heat up.

That goddamn crooked grin lit up Johnny's face. "You should see your face."

"Shut up."

"Just trying to help."

"Well, stop before I leave you on the side of the road somewhere." Adam told him firmly as he started the car.

They continued in that vein all the way back to Johnny's, and damned if Adam didn't feel just a bit of relief at the normality of it all. Maybe Johnny would come back to work, maybe he wouldn't, but they would always have this, and that was worth a hell of a lot to Adam.