Roy knew that every moment counted during a rescue. Minutes are precious to the victim who is trapped or buried. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death. He was only now starting to realize how the hours and weeks of pain he and Johnny had been through had counted toward their rescue from the trap they were in. Maybe today we can try something different.

As he entered Johnny's room, Roy noticed that something was different already. Johnny looked at him and smiled. His eyes were actually clearer and more focused, as if the dullness that Roy was growing accustomed to was fading away.

"Hey, partner, how are you feeling?" Roy asked with renewed vigor.

"I can't feel my arms and legs," Johnny replied with a crooked grin.

Roy was startled. He hadn't heard a smile in Johnny's voice for so long that he didn't know what to do.

Johnny continued. "It's just like Helen says, you either have to laugh about it or cry about it. Thought I'd try something different, today."

"Well…" His thought was interrupted by a knock on the door. Vince stepped into the room.

"Hey, guys, I wondered if I might bother you for a minute?" he asked, holding his helmet under his right arm.

"Sure, Vince," replied Roy.

"Hey, Vince," Johnny called. "Did you look into what I was telling you about?"

Vince nodded. "That's why I'm here," he told Johnny, stepping close to the bed so he was in Johnny's line of vision. "You were right about that Jack guy, Johnny. Apparently the idiot is even bragging about shooting you."

Johnny glanced over at Roy, who hadn't yet realized the implications of Vince's statement. "So he confessed?"

"Not officially," Vince admitted. "My brother-in-law is a guard over at the county jail, and he heard the guy bragging to his cell mate about how grabbed you guys and shot up Johnny."

"He shot Johnny?" Roy's question was very quiet.

"Yep. He thinks he's some big shot now and will get some sort of peer recognition from his cell mates," Vince muttered with a shake of his head. "Dumb guy doesn't know his cell mate is willing to talk. Between his statement and yours, Johnny, that guy won't be seeing the outside of a prison anytime soon."

"Man, Roy…" Johnny began.

"Ah, Vince, you're sure?" Roy double checked.

"Very sure," Vince said with a smile.

Roy sat down wearily in the chair, taking a deep breath. I didn't do it! I didn't do it! The weight of his self-imposed guilt from the incident started to lift. He looked at his best friend, who returned his gaze with comfort and relief.

Sensing that they needed time to sort out their emotions, Vince began to retreat to the hallway. "Take it easy, Johnny. I'll check back with both you," he said.

"Vince, we really appreciate your visit. Thank you," Johnny replied. Vince nodded and walked out.

"Roy?"

"I'd just gotten used to accepting my version of the shooting," Roy remarked.

"I never did," Johnny confessed softly.

"You didn't?" Roy looked up wide-eyed at his partner as Johnny shook his head. "Thank you."

"You haven't given up on me. How could I give up on you?" Johnny asked.

Roy sighed deeply as he looked at his partner. "So, what do we do now?"

*******

Everyone held their breath. Johnny's body was held carefully by Roy and Hank as they eased Johnny into the high-back wheelchair. The medical staff stayed close but let the two men complete their very important task as Johnny had insisted. As they settled Johnny into his new position, everyone sighed, including Johnny.

"Wow, this is different," he remarked. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine the feeling of sitting upright outside his bed. He did not entirely succeed, but he was close enough to count, for today. He opened his eyes and looked up at Roy and Hank.

Both men smiled, and Hank laid his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Well, I'm going to go on and meet the rest of the guys at the rehab center. We'll see you there." Hank turned to leave.

"I'm really proud of you, Johnny," Dr. Brackett told him. "We all are. Now remember, we're going to be there every day. You're not going to do this alone, we promise you that."

"Thanks, Doc."

Brackett nodded. Dixie came over and kissed Johnny on the cheek. "You behave yourself over there, you hear me? Don't be hitting on those nurses 24/7."

"I won't make any promises I can't keep," he told her with a crooked smile.

Dixie gave him a warm smile back. "Good luck," she murmured, giving his shoulder a squeeze before she and Brackett left.

"Ready?" Roy asked as he glanced once more around the room to see if they'd forgotten anything.

"No," Johnny admitted. "But I can't stay holed up here forever, can I?"

Roy shook his head as he started to push Johnny's chair into the hallway. He stopped as he remembered the card in his coat pocket.

"By the way, I forgot to give this to you. It was at the nurses' station addressed to you. They said it came today." Roy moved to face Johnny, showing him the card.

"Will you do me the honor?" Johnny asked with a grin.

"Sure." Roy ripped open the envelope. Inside was a card with a textured design on the front. Roy flipped the card around. "It says, 'Johnny -- I don't know where I heard this, but I wanted to share it with you on this special day: "The first step of a thousand mile journey determines your destination." Love, Helen

Johnny was silent, his eyes glimmering with tears. Roy patted his best friend's shoulder and squeezed his hand while silently thanking Helen's insight and timing.

"You ready now, Junior?"

"Yeah, Roy…Let's go."

*******

Notes: Thanks go to Caelie Ryan for agreeing to collaborate and make this idea flourish and thrive with her additions and writing skills!