Title: Rememories – Pt. 18

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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Roy and Dixie were sitting across from each other drinking coffee in the doctor's lounge. JoAnne had taken the kids home while Roy awaited news about Johnny. The two friends shared stories of how Johnny had beaten the odds in the past. They remembered him getting buried in a mine shaft; nearly dying from a monkey virus; blown up in a building; hit by a car; and, other countless nicks, cuts, and scrapes. They both silently prayed that he would come out of this the way he had so many times before. "Not very good rememories." Roy said.

"Re…what…eries?" Dixie asked.

"It's one of my daughter's made-up words. No matter how many times we correct her, she continues to use it. I think she is mixing 'remember' with 'memories' and she says 'rememories.'" Roy explained. "Her whole thought behind this camping trip with Johnny was to help him make new memories—rememories—to help him forget what happened with Jameson, Baker and Daniels."

"Well, she sounds like a very bright young woman to me, Roy. Uh…" Dixie hunted for the word.

"Rememories." Roy coached with a chuckle.

"Ah, yes…rememories are important. And, Johnny has a lot of great ones with Jenny, and your whole family, Roy. He will be fine, I just know it." Dixie had a soft place in her heart for Johnny and Roy and she wore it on her sleeve.

Dr. Early opened the door to the lounge just about then. Both occupants turned his way. They waited for a sign, a word, or a gesture that would tell them what they wanted to know. And, then, Early smiled.

"He's done it again. Johnny's beaten the odds." He laughed out. "His temp is still a bit high, but the wound is clear and there is no permanent damage to the spine. There is still some swelling that accounts for the paralysis. But, once the swelling goes down, he will regain full feeling and movement in his legs."

Roy didn't realize he was holding his breath until he finally let it out. Dixie smiled and allowed tears to finally flow. "Hey, this is GOOD news, you two. Johnny is going to be fine." Early repeated. Roy got up and walked over to where the doctor was standing.

"Thanks, Doc. When can I see 'im?" Roy beseeched.

"He's in recovery now. We will place him in a room in an hour or so. After that, he can have a few visitors." The doctor poured a cup of coffee and sat in the seat Roy vacated.

"I need to call Jo and the kids. And, the Chief. And, Mike and Marco…I need to make some calls." Roy summed.

"Why don't you use Kel's office, Roy. He is on rounds and won't be back for a while." Dixie suggested. Roy took his leave and Dixie turned her attention to Early.

"Well, Joe…does an old ER nurse have any say in roommate assignments in this hospital?" Dixie quipped. Early nearly choked on his coffee as he laughed.

"Uh…don't know who the 'old ER nurse' is, Dix…but, there's not much that goes on in this establishment that you are not in some control of." The doctor answered flirtatiously. Dixie winked at him as she began to formulate her plan.

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It was after visiting hours when Johnny finally got settled into a room. Roy was allowed to go see him, but all other visitors would have to wait until the following day. As he opened the door, Johnny woke. "Sorry, Junior. Didn't mean to wake you up." Roy apologized.

"S'okay. What time is it?" Johnny asked. Roy answered and Johnny responded with a yawn.

"It's been a hell of a long day, Johnny. How are you feeling?"

Johnny moved his arms to push himself upright and felt his muscles ache. It wasn't a searing pain, but enough to remind him of dragging himself with his arms the night before. "Hell of a long night, too." Johnny agreed rubbing his biceps to sooth away the ache.

"You wanna fill me in? I know what Jenny told me, but there were some missing pieces obviously."

Johnny cringed at the mention of Jenny. "She okay, Roy? I mean, I didn't want to scare her."

"She'll be fine now that she knows you're okay, Partner." Roy declared.

"I went to get water for my morning coffee before hitting the rack when I heard something moving. I called out and then…I fell. When I came to, I couldn't feel anything below my waist. I thought it was because of the cold…the water…but, when I tried to move them…well…they didn't move. I dragged myself back to the camp." Roy interrupted.

"Why didn't you call for Jen?" The older man asked.

"I didn't want to scare her, Roy. I thought that I could get back to the camp and clean up a little before waking her up. But, it didn't go as I planned. I passed out a couple times and…" Johnny paused, remembering. "The wolf…" He barely whispered.

"What…what wolf?" Roy implored. Johnny ran the story over in his mind and realized how absurd it sounded and decided against sharing the information.

"Nothing…I just thought I saw a wolf is all. Anyway, Jen woke up and called for me…and, you probably know the rest." Johnny sighed and realized that he was pinching his leg just to be sure he could really feel it. The numbness and tingling was setting in as the swelling continued to decrease around the bullet wound. "'M sorry, Roy…for everything."

"Nothin' to be sorry for. My kids love you, Johnny…we all do. There's nothing we wouldn't do for you, and I'm just glad Jen was there to help when you needed it. She was hoping for better 'rememories', but she is just glad you are okay." Roy jibed.

Johnny smiled, knowingly. "Not bad rememories, Roy…not bad at all." He remembered the 'talk' he had with Chet the wolf and Jenny singing to him. "I'll be alright." He whispered.

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Dixie had forbidden Roy to tell Johnny about Greg Daniels' miraculous steps toward recovery. She had a much more exciting and surprising way to inform him. The next morning, as his breakfast dishes were being cleared away, Johnny got his first visitor of the day. Dixie McCall walked into the room wearing a fashionable pantsuit and a pretty scarf that Johnny had actually given to her for a birthday a few years prior. She was off duty, but wanted to be there for what was about to happen since she had arranged it all.

"Hey, Handsome. How are you feeling today?" She asked with a big smile across her face.

"Hey, Dix. I'm doin' okay…doin' okay. Can't wait to get outta here, though. I need to get back to my Station. Been away too long." He admitted. He looked up as the door opened again and Dr.'s Brackett and Early walked in with Chief Stanley right behind. His smile faded, thinking something was terribly wrong for all these people to be visiting him.

"What's wrong?" He asked hesitantly.

"Why, John Gage, nothing's wrong. Everything is actually quite good and that's why we are all here." Dixie countered. Her cheer put him at ease. The men all surrounded Johnny's bed and engaged in pleasantries. They all awaited the 'surprise'.

Once again the door swung open and Johnny saw that a gurney was being brought into the room. He was getting a roommate. It was all the same to him, because he did not plan to stick around very long anyway. His visitors all watched for his reaction. They were a bit disgruntled when Johnny barely paid any attention the patient being brought into the room. After a moment, Johnny heard the words.

"Hey, Cap. Funny meeting you here."

Johnny's face lost all color for a moment. Brackett stood by to watch for signs of shock. He didn't like this idea, but thought it would indeed help both men in the recovery process. Brackett put a hand on Johnny's shoulder as he finally realized who was joining him.

He sat up taller in his bed and shouted, "Greg! What the hell? I thought…you're okay?" Johnny blurted out. Johnny finally saw the halo and other traction instruments and realized that, though alive, Greg was not 'okay.'

TBC