Title: Rememories – Pt. 19

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 watched as they carefully placed Greg in his bed and adjusted the screws and vest connected to the halo traction unit. He winced a little as he saw Greg try to get comfortable. Once Greg was settled, the others said their "goodbyes" and left the two men alone. There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence. It was finally broken by Johnny.

"Greg, I…I thought…" He stuttered. Greg helped his Captain along.

"You thought I was dead, huh?" He asked Johnny. Johnny swallowed hard and nodded. "I didn't think you of all people would give up on me, Cap. You told me you were gonna get me outta there alive and you did. You saved my life." Greg announced.

Johnny felt small. He had believed Greg dead…or, possibly better-off dead. He searched for the words. "I…I'm glad you made it, Greg. Your Dad told me you were strong…and, you would fight. I shoulda known that he was right. How is everything…you gonna walk again or what?" Johnny spat out the question before he knew what he was saying.

"I don't know, Cap. But, I'm sure gonna try. The surgeon said my spinal cord was not severed, but it is pretty damaged. He fused the vertebrae—C-2 and C-3—so, I won't ever be able to go back to what I was doing." A hint of sadness washed over him.

"We'll miss you, Greg. You are one helluva Paramedic." Johnny admitted. Greg couldn't turn his head and Johnny was glad as there were tears forming in the corners of his eyes. He quickly brushed them away.

"They told me what happened to you, Cap. You gonna be alright?" Greg asked. Johnny nodded his answer before he remembered that Greg could not see him.

"Yeah, I'll be alright. I should get outta here in a day or two…back to work by next week, hopefully." Johnny shared. Just then, the door opened and Mr. Daniels, Greg's father, joined them.

"Dad!" Greg called. "Where's Mom?" He followed. Mr. Daniels walked to his son's side and put a hand on his shoulder.

"She's getting everything sorted out for you to come home…she wants you to stay with us after you go to that rehab center." He saw the look in Greg's eyes. "Just till you finish your degree, Son. Then you can do whatever you want after that, okay." He assured.

Greg sighed and then relented. "Okay, Dad. Uh…Cap, did you hear? I'm going back to school to get my degree. Decided when I woke up that I want to finish my degree so I can counsel Firemen and other first responders." He smiled at his Dad who looked as proud as any man could.

"That sounds great, Greg…maybe I could be your first patient." Johnny quipped. He didn't much like counselors or therapists. "It will be good to have you in the Department, even if you're not at my station." The men continued to talk into the afternoon about Greg's miracle recovery, Johnny's shooting, and Greg's plans for the future. Greg fell asleep and his Father moved to Johnny's bedside.

"Thank you, Captain…uh…Johnny, for everything you've done for my Son." He reached his hand out for Johnny to shake. Johnny accepted and added.

"Mr. Daniels, you were right, your son is a fighter. As his Captain, it is my honor to know him and work alongside him. And, it will be my pleasure to work with Greg in the future as he helps our fellow Firemen deal with stress and tragedy that befalls them." Johnny yawned as he was getting tired, too. But, he continued. "I once told someone a quote I heard a few years ago…'Knowing someone else is drowning doesn't make the salt water taste any sweeter.' Don't know who said it orginally, but, basically, what I think it means is that just because someone else has been where you are doesn't mean they can make you feel better about it. But, Greg…he's been near death, he's dealing with a lot of trials, but his attitude is good. That will serve him well as he meets other Firemen. They will trust him because he DOES know what they are going through…he understands us in a way that no one else ever could. And, that means a lot." Johnny's eyelids were heavy. Mr. Daniels thanked Johnny again, checked once more on his son, and then left the room.

Johnny slipped down the bed and laid his head on the pillow. He looked up at the ceiling…but, his gaze went "beyond." He smiled slightly as he began to fade off into sleep and said, "Thank you, Lord…for everything." He sighed and then, smiling, he added, "And, thank you, too, Chet."

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The Ranger came to see Johnny at his home. "Mr. Gage?" He said as he stepped out of the vehicle.

Johnny had walked to the driveway when he heard the approaching vehicle. "Yes, Sir. How can I help you?"

"You probly don't remember me, but I was there when they found you after you got shot out there." The Ranger pointed into the woods behind Johnny's home. Johnny nodded.

"Yeah, Roy said you were there. What brings you out here now?" Johnny asked.

"Well, I just came from Mr. Bailey's place and he asked me to stop and let you know what I told him." The Ranger began. "We found out who has been shooting things up 'round these parts and I think we found who shot you, too."

Johnny raised his eyebrows. He had been so intent in his recovery and visiting Greg, he had forgotten about the vandals on his and Bailey's property. "Who was it?"

"Just some teenagers up from the city. One of the kids got a rifle for his birthday a few months back and decided to come out here to target shoot and it escalated to all the damage we've been seeing all over the past few weeks." The Ranger huffed. "Animals, fences, barns, windows…there was nothing these kids didn't shoot at…'cept people. They deny shooting you, Mr. Gage."

Johnny looked around at his property. The barn, the horses, Abby walked by his side…he was content. "I don't think they DID shoot at me, Ranger. Dr. Early said it was probly a ricochet…I think I may have scared 'em when I called out is all…it was an accident, I'm sure." Johnny deduced.

The Ranger was dumfounded. "Are you tellin' me you're not gonna press charges?"

Johnny shook his head. "Not for what happened to me…but, they need to be held responsible for the other damages…they will probly just get probation, but they need to learn a lesson. Guns are definitely not toys!" Johnny asserted.

"You are right about that. And, your neighbor, Mr. Bailey knew you would say what you just did. He's gonna press charges for the damage to his fence and barn and the trespassing…but, he told me you wouldn't hold them responsible for your injuries. I didn't believe 'im, till now." The Ranger was still reeling from the shock.

"Ranger…sometimes people get hurt, or even die, and there is nothing we can do about it. We make our decisions, pray for the best and deal with the rest. If I have learned anything over the past few weeks…is that the guilt a man has inside himself can be far more a punishment than anyone else could dish out." Johnny took a deep breath and felt the weight on his shoulders lifting. He was ready to return to work; ready to face what came next.

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Johnny returned to Station 99 three weeks after the incident that took the lives of two of his men. He settled into the new "normal" and welcomed two new linemen and a new Paramedic to his ranks. As they sat around the table after dinner his first night back, the men all relaxed into a companionable silence and Johnny excused himself to his office. He went inside, closed the door, and sat in the chair at his desk. It had been a little over one year since he became Captain John Gage and in that year, he faced moments that he hoped he would never have to again. He pulled a book from his drawer and opened it to a dog-eared page. He read aloud…

"'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'" Psalm 91:14-16

He pushed the Bible to the top of his desk as he pulled out two pieces of paper. He began to write two letters that were long overdue…

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jameson…to the parents of his lineman who'd lost his life nearly a month before, Steve Jameson.

And…

Dear Mrs. Baker…to Larry Baker's mother, the other lineman who died.

He wrote how proud he was of their sons and how he enjoyed serving with them. He offered his condolences and to help in any way necessary. He included his contact information and prepared the letters for mailing. He sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair. He prayed aloud…

"Lord, please let these be the last letters of this type I ever need to write. And, if that is not to be, help me to find the words and the courage to do it again when it becomes necessary. Finally, Lord, thank you for each man on this crew and for their skills and ability. I pray for each man's safety and that you give me the wisdom to lead them when the call for help comes. Amen."

The End (okay, okay...there is an Epilogue to follow!)