DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Mark VII, et al. I own Julianna, though.
Johnny sat in the back of the patrol car feeling horrible. He'd meant to surprise his wife by showing up on the plane only to have it go horribly wrong. Now he was sitting in a police car being wrongfully accused of attacking Ellen. He kept blinking, hoping he was caught in a dream.
He put his head down, partially to hide his face and partially to ease the headache that had come from the lack of sleep he'd had the last two days.
He heard the door open and he found the policemen standing on the curb.
"Mr. Gage, we're taking you downtown now," the policeman said.
"Why," Johnny managed to ask.
"Attempted rape. Miss Taylor wants to file charges," the policeman said.
Johnny was hauled out of the back of the patrol car, read his rights and handcuffed. He sat in the back of the car, praying this was all just a dream.
He arrived at the police station and was taken to the booking area. He was fingerprinted and had his photo taken. "You can bond out, if you can find someone to pay the bond. You can use the phone over here," the clerk said, pointing to the phone.
Johnny rubbed his wrists before picking up the phone. He took a deep breath and called the one person he knew would help him that wasn't his wife. He called Roy.
"Hello," Roy said.
"Roy, it's Johnny. I need help," Johnny said.
"What's wrong? Shouldn't you be on a plane back here to LA," Roy asked.
"There's been a little problem. I've been arrested," Johnny said.
"What? Arrested? For what," Roy asked, suddenly on the edge of his seat.
"Man you're not going to believe it even if I told you. Ellen has accused me of attempted rape," Johnny said.
"Ellen? What's Ellen doing in Sacramento," Roy asked.
"I don't know. The point is she tried to get me into bed and when I refused and fled the scene, she went to Dr. Young and told him I'd attacked her. She called the police and here I am. Can you help me," Johnny asked.
"Of course. What do I need to do," Roy asked.
"I need you to bond me out," Johnny said.
"Well, sure, but I can't do that from LA," Roy said.
"I don't know what to do, Roy. I'm worried," Johnny said.
"Let me make a call and I'll see what I can do. You'll get out. I promise," Roy said.
Johnny hung up the phone and was directed to a bench and told to sit. He looked at his surroundings and wondered how in the world he'd been put in this situation.
Roy hung up with Johnny and immediately called Dixie.
"Dixie, it's Roy. Do you know the name of the hotel you were supposed to stay at in Sacramento," Roy asked.
"Rose Gardens. It's across from the airport," she said.
"Thanks, Dixie. I'll call you back," Roy said.
He called information. "I need the number for Rose Gardens in Sacramento," Roy said.
He was given the number and immediately dialed.
"Rose Gardens. How may I help you," the receptionist asked.
"I need Dr. Lucas Young's room please. It's an emergency," Roy said.
"One moment," the receptionist said.
"Hello," Young answered.
"Dr. Young, this is Roy DeSoto. Do you know anything about John Gage being accused of attacking Ellen Taylor," Roy asked.
"She came into my room with torn clothing and looking horrible. I spoke with Ellen and she claimed John did it. I spoke with John and he denied it," Young said.
"Do you think he did it," Roy asked.
"No, I don't. Ellen has problems. I never thought she would do something like this," Young said.
"They've arrested Johnny for attempted rape," Roy said.
"I thought Ellen was going to tell them it was a misunderstanding. What are you telling me for," Young asked.
"You need to go and bail him out and then put him on a plane back to LA. Then you need to get Ellen to admit she's lying," Roy said.
Young was quiet for a moment. "I'll bail him out, but I don't know if they'll let him leave Sacramento."
"Just get him out and talk to Ellen. Neither Johnny nor Julianna should have to suffer because of what Ellen said. You know that, right," Roy said.
"I'll get him out and talk to her. I'll get him to call when he gets out," Young said.
Roy hung up the phone and hoped Johnny would get out of jail soon. The thought of his best friend in a cell for something he didn't do was crazy to him. It was even crazier for someone to think Johnny might try to rape someone. Especially after what Julianna went through. Roy knew Ellen was bad news, but Johnny rarely saw that. Johnny is probably sitting somewhere right now wondering what Julianna would think about the situation.
Julianna! Roy had forgotten all about her in his worrying for his friend. He thought about calling her, but decided to wait until he heard back from Dr. Young regarding Johnny's situation.
Lucas entered the police station, hating that his half-sister's delusions could possibly ruin, not only a fireman's career, but his reputation and, quite possibly his marriage. Lucas couldn't let that happen. He dragged Ellen into the station.
"You're going to tell them that John Gage did not attack you," he said.
"He did. You saw me. Why should I tell them I lied," Ellen pouted.
"Because you did. Now, go in there and admit that you were upset because he didn't respond to your advances and let him go back home to his wife. I know why you wanted to go on this little trip. It's not because you care about the program, it's because you carry some torch for a man that doesn't want you. He's married for goodness sake," Lucas said.
Ellen continued her pouting, but relented when her brother told the desk sergeant Ellen wanted to change her story.
"Right this way, Miss Taylor," the sergeant said.
Ellen went into a room and she told the story. "Mr. Gage is a former boyfriend of mine and when I left town I thought we were still together. I wanted to get back with him and finding out that he was married, upset me greatly. I tried to get him into bed and he refused. I was just getting revenge on having my feelings hurt. I'm sorry for anything I've done. Mr. Gage didn't try to attack me," Ellen said.
"You understand that filing a false report is a crime, Miss Taylor," the sergeant asked.
Lucas spoke up. "She's mentally unstable. I'll take her home and get her med levels checked," Lucas said.
"Well, that will depend on Mr. Gage's feelings. Take her home, but understand that she could face charges if Mr. Gage decides to file charges against her," the sergeant said.
Lucas agreed and took his sister out of the police station. He hoped John wouldn't press charges because Ellen had enough problems.