So this is a short chapter I wrote up quickly, hope everyone enjoys!

I want to thank those that reviewed. I love the constructive criticism so always keep it coming. I will try and work on my tenses, I know I'm bad at that so I apologize for any annoyance that could cause. As for the comment about it being AU, I made a change in the story subject to reflect that and I am sorry for not having it in the beginning. I do believe it is a little AU and I should give everyone a heads up.

As for the cops they will get involved, most likely in chapter 3. I didn't see them calling right away.

Also the biophone comment was a good catch. Completely slipped my mind that they wouldn't have it with the other shift out.

So thanks again to all the readers and reviewers!

Chapter 2-

The ride to Rampart was mostly silent for which the injured engineer was most grateful for. There was a lot running through Mike's mind and though he knew he could talk it out with Roy and Johnny, part of him didn't want to address his pressing thoughts out loud.

The last thing he had said to Captain Stanley, about not being able to lose his son, was a weak moment for the man deemed "Stoic Stoker". He adored his son, and despite everything with his wife and all the problems they've had, he would have done everything over again just to keep that little boy in his life. Tricia could've cheated on him all she wanted as long as Mike got to see his son everyday. It was the reason he hadn't left her yet.

Mike knew divorce was more than a reasonable option. As disappointing as it was to come to terms with the fact that his marriage had been destroyed, it was foolish to think that he and Tricia could ever work this out. He also knew he didn't want to work it out. There was no love there, hadn't been for years, and he was ready to move past this all. He just wanted his son at his side.

Custody cases were messy, there was no doubt in Mike's mind. And as nasty and horrible as Tricia was to him, she was a decent enough mother. Yes she brought strange men to the house and probably set a horrible example for little Mikey, but she did love him, even Mike had to admit that and there was no telling if a court would've deemed her a bad parent. Mike, on the other hand, worked numerous 24 to sometimes 48 hour shifts. He worked in dangerous conditions, and even though he was less in the line of fire now that he was an engineer, he was always running a risk as a firefighter. Would a court ever give someone like him full custody? Most likely not and that was too big a risk for Mike to take. He would've gladly taken a beating from Tricia's boyfriend of the week to ensure his son stayed in his life.

So with all this screaming in his head, Mike stayed silent.

Meanwhile Roy drove the car with one eye on the road and one eye on his passenger. He fought the urge every few seconds to offer some form of comfort or wisdom to help the poor man next to him but he knew it was useless. He had heard Mike's voice crack talking about his son and he knew that that was the only reason Mike was still with Tricia. His words wouldn't make the situation any better, in all honesty it would have probably made it worse by forcing Mike to talk. So he sat in silence, his eyes the only thing to give his unease away.

Johnny, never one to take silence well, tried multiple times to engage his friends in some friendly conversations. He talked baseball, the weather, even discussed Chet's newest prank on him, but everything seemed to fall flat and soon the young paramedic gave up trying.

As they drove through the parking lot of Rampart, Stoker sighed as Roy parked the car as close to the emergency entrance as he could. "Roy you didn't have to park so close. I can walk." he tried to argue.

"Sure Mike, whatever you say" smiled the senior paramedic as he turned off the car and opened the door. He got out quickly helping Mike up, with Johnny rushing over to assist as well.

They were only a few steps into the building when they met a familiar face.

"Well now, you boys can't be on shift, I was just talking to Dwyer and Jones" spoke head nurse Dixie McCall. She took a look at the wounded firefighter between her two favorite paramedics and gasped. "Stoker? Is that you? Well we never see you around these parts unless you're visiting. Are you hurt? What happened?"

"A baseball bat Dix," explained Roy as he helped steer his friend towards the aid station. "We think he might have fractured a few ribs and his right knee."

"I'll call Kel and have him see you in treatment 2." She pointed to the room across the hall. "Go take him in boys" and she went to grab the phone.

"Come on Mikey" urged Johnny, "I'll introduce you to one of my favorite rooms in the hospital."

Mike gave him a curious look, "Oh yeah Gage why is it your favorite?"

John smiled brightly, "Well whenever I'm injured they usually take me to Room 1 or 3. Never been sent to two yet as a patient" he spoke happily causing Mike to smile and shake his head incredulously.

Roy suppressed a laugh, "Oh jeez Junior, at the rate you're going it won't stay that way for long."

Gage pretended to be angry but he couldn't take the smile off his face, "Well Roy I hate to say it but you may be right. I do tend to get myself in a lot of bad situations."

"Well I'd say!" his partner agreed.

"Least you didn't fight 12 guys who had baseball bats" countered their stoic engineer.

Johnny nodded, "Well yeah, haven't done that" he mused, "but you know, the days not over yet." The three men shared a smile as Mike was laid on the examination table. "You just relax Mikey, Brackett will have you fixed up in no time."

Sure enough not thirty seconds later, Dr. Kel Brackett was striding calmly in the room, his face a mixture of concern and professionalism. "Mike Stoker," he began, "not usually the Station 51 crewmember we find on the table." He shot a look at Johnny who held his hands up in a look of innocence. "I know Doc," he shared, "I'm as shocked as you."

Doctor Brackett shared a quick grin then got down to business examining the engineer quickly yet efficiently. "Broken nose for sure" he deduced upon his first minute of examination, "eyes are pretty swollen but it looks to be from the nose not any shots to them. Am I right Mike?" The man on the table nodded. "Hm" the doctor continued as his hands went to Mike's stomach. "I want a chest x-ray, see if any of these ribs splintered. Definitely have at least three broken and probably a few more bruised. Does it hurt to breathe?"

"No, its fine" Mike argued but he could tell no one really believed him.

"I'm sure it feels just fine" Brackett replied sarcastically while handing Mike some oxygen. "Keep this on so you don't strain yourself worse. Now", he moved on to his knee. "Well that's a fractured kneecap if I ever saw one. Damn Stoker, what hit you? A bus?"

Mike tried to take the oxygen mask off but Brackett stopped him, "No these two can tell me, you keep that on." He looked to the two paramedics. "Well" he pushed. Roy looked back at the injured engineer guiltily while Johnny cleared his voice. "Baseball bat, Doc. Stoker fought 12 guys."

Kel looked down at the stoic man in surprise then turned to Roy as if it to get confirmation. "A fight?" he asked, the shock still in his voice as he watched the senior paramedic nod in affirmation. "Well that's not what I would have guessed for you Mike, that's for sure. But don't worry," he patted the man gently on the shoulder, "once those x-rays are done I'll wrap up those ribs and your knee and set that nose. You'll be good as new soon."

"We should head back for shift ourselves right Junior." Roy motioned to his partner, "but we will be in throughout the day okay Mike, and when you get released just give us a call."

"Thanks guys" Mike mumbled through the oxygen mask on his face. The pair gave a smile and a wave then moved to the door to let the x-ray technician take over. Dr. Brackett followed on their heels and headed back to the aid station. When Dixie saw the group she offered a small smile, "How is he boys?"

"He certainly did a number to himself," Brackett announced reaching for a chart. "A fight with baseball bats, doesn't sound like something Mike Stoker would be a part of."

Johnny looked over and nodded, "Couldn't believe it myself Doc. But it's always the quiet ones. Better make sure you tie him down when you reset that nose, or he might deck you". The young man laughed at his own joke, "Stoic Stoker the knock out champ-" He cut off when Roy nudged him in the stomach. "That's enough Junior," the senior paramedic warned Johnny solemnly.

"Roy" asked Dix as she looked over the chart Kel had finished writing in, "Did you want me to call Mike's wife or have you taken care of it?"

"Oh that won't be necessary Dix, she's uh, she won't be coming." Roy turned to see that both Dr. Brackett and Dix gave him a curious look. "They uh- well- it was her new boyfriend's friends that did this to him." The doctor and nurse both kept their professionalism enough to nod in understanding but Roy and Johnny could see some anger in the Rampart workers' faces. It was obvious to everyone that they were especially fond of station 51 and to hear one member was hurt in such a devastating way by a loved one; it was enough to make their blood boil.

Dixie gave a hard grimace, "Thank you for letting me know Roy, I'll make a note that she shouldn't be allowed in his room if she does end up coming."

As she began writing in the chart, Roy reached for her arm gently, "Thank you Dix but can you maybe keep the reason between us, I don't know if Mike wants everyone to know what happened."

The head nurse smile, "Oh course Roy, don't worry."

Johnny meanwhile took a look at the clock and frowned, "Oh man Pally we better get going, we're late for shift."

"Doesn't your captain know where you are?" asked Doctor Brackett as he watched the x-ray technician leave Mike's room.

"Well yeah Doc but that doesn't mean I still won't get latrine duty!"

Roy gave his partner a friendly nudge, "You are already on latrine duty from being late last week."

"Oh man," the young paramedic sighed, "I forgot I am."

Doctor Brackett smiled, "Lateness and forgetfulness seems to be two reoccurring trends for you there Johnny."

"Well if I remembered to set my alarm, then I wouldn't be late."

"Exactly Junior" chided Roy. "Now come on before you make me late." He offered Brackett and Dix a wave and then headed to the outside doors.

"See you guys later" called Johnny as he sprinted to keep up.

"I don't doubt it" agreed Nurse McCall as she saw her two favorite paramedics off.

Once again enjoy! And thank you for all the readers and reviewers