Title: Rememories – Pt. 7

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I make no profit from my imagination—only a personal joy and peace.

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Johnny had met Greg Daniel's father twice before. Once at a Department Picnic and once at the Station. The man had striking features and Greg was nearly his spitting image.

"Mr. Daniels. I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was here. I will go and get out of your way." Johnny began his retreat only to feel Mr. Daniel's hand on his shoulder.

"Captain Gage, please don't go." Johnny turned to face the man and interrupted with…

"Uh, call me Johnny, please."

"Okay, Johnny…Greg worshipped…uh, worships you. He looks up to you as a mentor since you were one of the first practicing Paramedics in the county. His mother was upset when he quit school to join the Fire Department. She worried something like this might happen. But, I knew he had to follow his heart…no matter where it took 'im. When he was assigned to your station, there was no shutting him up about you and your heroics." The man glanced at his Son and then back to Johnny. "He followed your career, you know. He has news clippings of a bunch of your rescues. There was one where you saved a couple guys from a cave-in. And, another when you saved some actor from a bear attack. You're a hero to 'im, Johnny." Johnny felt about two inches high.

"He told me a little about that while we were…trapped. Your son is a great Paramedic, Mr. Daniels. One of the best I've ever known." Johnny stuttered out, trying not to break down again. "I am honored to be his Captain. I'm just sorry that I was not able to help him when the time came."

"Look, Johnny…Dr. Early told us that Greg wouldn't have made it out of that building at all without you. You never left his side and, by what I've been told, you risked your own life for my Son and those other two boys. That might not be a big deal to you since you face death every day, but it is a big deal to me. I don't know if my Son will come out of this, or what kind of life he will have when he does. But, my Son is strong, and he will fight as hard as he can…until he can't anymore." The man walked to his son's side and took his hand. "My Son will fight." Johnny suddenly felt as if he were intruding and walked out of the room.

"I hope you are right, Mr. Daniels." He whispered as he made his way to the Nurse's station where Roy and Dixie still waited. "You ready to go, Roy?" He asked as he approached.

Roy nodded and said, "Whenever you are, Johnny. How's he doing?" Roy knew the answer by reading his Friend's face, but wanted to get a feel for where Johnny's head was.

"The same, I guess." He answered and shrugged his shoulders. "Dix is Dr. Early around anywhere?"

"He's still reviewing test results, Johnny. He has called in some consultations, so it may be later this afternoon before we know anything." Dixie shared as she brushed Johnny's arm. "Why don't you go on home and we will call you later."

"Home sounds good. I think I will do just that." Johnny said with a renewed zest that surprised Dixie and Roy. "C'mon, Roy. I have to get home to Abby and the horses. I've been away too long." He moved beyond his two, still shocked, Friends and walked down the hall.

"Well, I don't know what got into him, but that's the most excited I have seen him about anything for over a week." Roy said. "I bet it will be good for him to be home. His place is a lot more peaceful than ours. That's for sure." Roy joked. "See ya, Dix." He said as he turned to join Johnny who was holding the elevator door. Johnny threw a quick wave to Dixie as Roy joined him and the doors closed.

Dixie thought to herself that Johnny shouldn't be alone…not just yet.

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"That's not fair." Jenny said as she began crying. "Mommy, tell Chris that's not fair."

Chris made plans with his father to leave on a two-day fishing trip the following morning and Johnny was busy packing to return to his ranch. JoAnne could tell that Jenny was feeling quite left out and it was not sitting well with the seven-year-old.

"Honey, it's okay. Daddy and Chris will be back the day after tomorrow and you will see Uncle Johnny again soon. You and I can stay here and make some treats to take to Daddy and Uncle Johnny's Stations for next shift, okay?" JoAnne tried, but there was no placating the youngster. She continued crying and ran to her room.

"'M sorry, Jo. Maybe Chris and I shouldn't go." Roy attempted a truce. JoAnne quickly shook her head and hugged her husband.

"No, don't disappoint Chris. You and he have not been fishing in a while and after what happened at dinner the other night with Johnny, he will be doubly disappointed if you cancel the trip. Jen's just feeling out of sorts because you, Chris and Johnny all seem to be leaving at the same time. She'll be fine." JoAnne explained.

Roy knew she was right. "I wish Johnny would stay here another couple days…just so we know how he's doing. But, he really wants to get back home. I can't say as I blame 'im. If he hears Jen carrying on the way she is, he will think he can't get out of here fast enough." Roy quipped as he continued to hold his wife in his arms. They did not know what was going on down the hall in Jenny's room.

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"What's wrong, Princess?" Johnny asked the crying child as he walked over to sit on the edge of her bed. He brushed long strands of blond hair from her eyes and wiped the tears away. She sniffed a few times and Johnny held a tissue for her to blow her nose into. "Better?" He asked.

She shook her head violently. "NO! It's not better. You're leaving and Daddy and Chris are going away, too. It's not fair." She mourned as she began to cry again.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm just going home and your Dad and Chris will be back in a couple days." Johnny tried to console her.

"I don't want you to go Uncle Johnny. We were supposed to help you make some new rememories so you would feel better. We haven't got a chance to do that yet." Jenny explained as she continued sobbing.

"Hang on, Princess. What is this about 'rememories'?" The confused man asked.

Jenny sighed and blew her nose again. "Mommy said you were sad cuz' of your rememories. So, I told her we just have to help you get some happy ones." The girl had stopped crying and was intent on her mission.

Johnny shook his head side-to-side while trying to understand. He had learned to understand "kid speak", but this was different. "Do you mean 'memories', Jen?" He tried to understand.

"Yes. Mommy said that when you remember the bad things, you get sad again. So, I just wanted to help you remember the good things…make new rememories." The child kept saying the wrong word. Johnny gave up trying to correct her and continued.

"Well, Princess, your Mom is right…I have some bad…um…rememories, but as time passes, I will get better, I promise." Johnny hoped he wasn't lying to his 'best girl.'

"But, I wanted us to all go somewhere with you and help you have some good things to remember." Jenny continued her pleading. Johnny was sucked into the plan without even knowing how it happened.

"Okay, Princess. How 'bout you and I go camping for a night out at my place. We will cook out, sleep in the tent in our sleeping bags, and roast some marshmallows. I will bring you back when your Dad and Chris come home. That sound good to you?" He said, already seeing the child's eyes brightening and a smile taking over her whole face.

"Oh, you mean it Uncle Johnny? Just you and me, not Chris or Daddy?" The girl squealed in delight.

"I mean it…but, only if it is okay with your Dad and Mom. You go ask them and I will finish getting my things together." Johnny prodded. Jenny jumped into her Uncle's lap and hugged him tightly. She kissed his cheek and he smiled. She jumped down to go ask her Parent's permission to go camping with Johnny.

"I missed your smile Uncle Johnny…the real one like I just saw." She said as she raced from the room. Johnny followed her with his eyes as she left and then said quietly to himself…

"I hope your plan works, Princess. Cuz' I could really use some good rememories." He smiled at the word, but it faded as he thought of the men he lost and Greg lying in a coma. "I hope your plan works." He whispered as he got up and left the room.

TBC