It started with a water bomb as soon as John opened his locker. The flour bomb was the next to catch him when he went to the cupboard for cleaning products. He was used to these kinds of pranks so he grinned and bared them. The shaving cream in the kitchen cupboard was grudgingly received in the face. He was onto his fourth shirt. Stanley quickly became aware who the phantom and likewise pigeon were. He laughed along with the rest of the crew.

"Um...Chet...this is my last shirt...give the pranks a rest for this shift ok." Johnny looked at Kelly expectantly.

"John, I know not when the phantom will strike next. Sorry buddy, it's not up to me." Kelly replied mockingly.

Gage just sighed. The klaxons sounded. Station 51, station 36, truck 127, station 110, Battalion 14 structure fire 3654 Olive Blvd, cross street Lakeside time out 14:22. "Station 51 KMG365," acknowledged Stanley.

They arrived to a four story office building fully alight. "De Soto….Gage do a sweep of floors four and three and make sure everyone is out. Squad 36 is checking one and two. Take a HT each in case you get separated."

"Right Cap," they said in unison.

The heat was intense as they entered the building. One of station 36s paramedics was already carrying out an injured office worker. They started on the fourth floor. John went left and Roy went right. Doors were knocked inwards, rooms were searched and when it was established the rooms were empty an X was drawn on the door. This continued till it was recognized the fourth floor was clear. The paramedics proceeded down to next floor.

The smoke was thicker and the heat even more intense. Again, John went left and Roy went right. Roy found his first victim in the second room he searched. He was unconscious. He had to get him out of there. "Johnny, I have a victim, I'm taking him to triage then I'll be back." He said into his HT.

"Ok Roy I'll keep searching this end and then continue yours." John replied over his HT.

"HT51 to engine51 this is De Soto. I'm bringing a victim out."

"10-4 HT51," replied his Captain. Captain Stanley made his way to the entrance where De Soto would be emerging. "Where's Gage?" He asked the older paramedic as soon as he exited.

"Still searching the third floor," replied Roy.

Roy was tied up with his victim so the Captain geared up and entered the building to check things out. Kelly and Lopez were busy keeping the stairs clear for the paramedics. One of station 36's paramedics was still searching the second floor.

When Captain Stanley approached the third floor, he could hardly see for the smoke. There was a loud crash to his right. "HT51, Gage do you read me?" He repeated the call after a few seconds had passed.

"This is HT51. I need help."

"Where exactly are you John?"

"Third floor, right side fourth door." John's voice sounded strained.

"Battalion 14 this is engine 51 we have a paramedic who needs help on the right side of the third floor."

"10-4 engine 51." Stanley found his youngest crew member lying on the far side of the room. His left leg was trapped under some debris. The ceiling had partially collapsed. The heat was intense. Stanley quickly realised the fire was within the walls.

"Battalion 14 this is engine 51. I need some hoses up here, stokes and manpower. The fire is within the walls. I repeat the fire is within the walls."

"10-4 engine 51." Stanley knelt down, Johnny was grimacing.

"Is your leg broken John?"

"I don't think so but my hip really hurts. Cap…." John grabbed Stanley's arm "Please don't leave me here I don't want to burn."

Hank was surprised by the desperate plea of his paramedic. "I won't leave you John, help is on the way. We'll have you out in no time." John relaxed, his worst fears from station 18 days was surfacing. The usually confident, even brash, paramedic was a little unnerved due to pain and the surrounding heat. Trust was a big issue with John, and he was still a bit insecure with the new Captain.

Kelly was the first one there. "We'll get you out John. Don't worry."

"How's it going?" Lopez asked.

"We need to get this beam off first," stated Kelly.

All three crew members lifted the beam together. The young paramedic cried out. A long thin steel rod had been embedded in John's hip. "He's bleeding….we need to get him out fast."

John had twisted his body and could no longer see anyone. "It's getting very hot in here."

"We're still here John." Stanley told him reassuringly. "We'll have you out in a minute."

Gage nodded, gritting his teeth from the pain. "He's clear," Kelly yelled.

The three crew members lifted Johnny carefully and placed him into the stokes. They carried him out of the building. Paramedic Stone was waiting in the triage area for them. Roy was on his way back from Rampart in the ambulance.

Stone quickly accessed Johnny. The young paramedic was holding onto his Captain's arm. When the ambulance arrived Roy jumped from the back and sprinted to his partner's side. "I didn't finish the sweep." John pitifully said to his partner.

Stanley shook his head, he wondered if he would ever understand his youngest crew member. "It's ok John, Stevens from 36 finished it. There were no other victims."

"How bad Stoney?" Roy asked.

"Bad puncture wound to his hip, bruised left leg, not broken and a little shocky," he replied, "Want to take over?"

"Thanks," simply replied Roy. A second IV was established and the left leg was splinted as a precaution. John was lifted onto the gurney.

"Cap, thanks for staying with me and thank the guys for getting me out of there."

"That's ok John. We'll come see you in the morning." Stanley replied. The ambulance sped away.

"Cap, is John ok?" Mike asked.

"He'll be fine Mike," smiled the Captain.

As soon as Kelly and Lopez caught up with the Captain they asked about John. Stanley smiled to himself. Despite the bantering and pranks the entire crew cared about their youngest crew member. He wondered if John realised how much his fellow crew members really cared about him. Then he suddenly realised, even though he had only known him for a short time, he too cared. It was almost a fatherly instinct that had emerged from him towards his youngest crew member.

They backed the engine into the station and headed for the kitchen. The Captain opened the cupboard to get a glass. He was immediately splashed with water. "Kelly!" The Cap yelled out.

"I dibs first shower." Kelly ran to the bathroom before anyone could protest.

Stanley smiled; a feeling of satisfaction enveloped him. I belong here, he thought, now to earn the trust of his youngest crew member. He knew that would take a bit more work.