"John, talk to me. Tell me what happened" Cap tried desperately to get Johnny to open up and tell him what was said between him and Joanne.
John opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. He swallowed hard almost choking on the unspoken words.
"Take a deep breath and just tell me what Joanne said. I can't help you until I know what she said" Cap reasoned. He could see whatever she said had deeply affected Johnny.
Kirk sat quietly sipping his beer. He couldn't believe that Roy was totally unaware of his wife's actions. He had known for some time since getting quite close to Johnny that Roy's wife didn't really like Johnny. Johnny had never felt comfortable around her and thought she only spoke to him out of tolerance for her husband's partner. He wished he knew what she had said and looking at Mike he could see he was wishing the same thing.
"Come on John trust me" Cap said as he reached to put his hand on Johnny's shoulder. He was grateful that he didn't flinch as he did earlier.
"She was mad at me...for letting Chris use a knife...and then she was mad at me for pointing out the dangers of using a knife, to Chris" said Johnny slowly looking up at Cap expecting him to agree.
"I don't see anything wrong with that. What exactly did she say?" asked Cap a little confused. Johnny was really upset. There was more to the conversation than Johnny was revealing.
Johnny took a deep breath "Joanne said that I was being selfish and needed to grow up. She said I should open my eyes and see how happy Roy is with Adam as a partner and that I should be the one moving on not Adam. She said the kids had become really good friends and if Adam moved to another station I would be breaking up their friendships. She said Roy felt sorry for me, that's why he asked me to be his partner and now that he's got Adam he's too nice to tell me to move on. I should have known that's why he didn't help me at the hospital. Her last words were" he again swallowed hard as if almost choking on these words "Grow up Johnny and let Roy have the kind of partner he really wants, someone he can relate to. I like having a happy husband come home from work not the frustrated one when he works with you."
Cap rubbed his hand over his face and tried to think of the right words to say "I can't believe Roy really thinks that. As disappointed as I am with him I can't believe he'd rather work with Adam. ...But...and it's a big but, if he does think that way then he can move on, with Adam. You are staying at station51. You were hurt in the line of duty after saving her husband's life and working with a different partner. You don't need to grow up, she does...Frustrated...What on earth is she talking about? John listen to me, you are not going anywhere but back to station 51 and if Roy values Adam's friendship so much then he can move on to join Adam. "Johnny nodded, what Cap said was making sense.
"What about the kids?" asked Johnny forlornly.
"You know kids John they bounce back, besides I'm sure Roy's kids have lots of friends" said Cap knowing Joanne had used the kids as a pawn, to make Johnny feel guilty.
Johnny nodded again but not as convincingly as he had before. Cap knew Joanne had pushed the right buttons by using the kids as an excuse. "I want you to relax and not think about this. We're here to celebrate and it's not good for your friends to see you this way. Wait here, take a few deep breaths and regain your composure. I'll send Kirk to come get you when it's time to start mingling. Ok?" Cap patted Johnny on the shoulder and stood up. He nodded to Kirk, Mike and Tony Freeman.
Cap strode across the park, Kirk, Mike and Tony fell into step with him. They came to a halt behind Roy, Joanne, Adam and his wife. He cleared his throat to alert them of their presence.
Roy turned around and was surprised to see the four men facing him. "Roy...Adam...I'm sorry but it's time you all left. This is Johnny's day and you're no longer welcome here. I suggest you pack up all your gear and go see that movie you were so keen to see earlier." Cap stood his ground and waited for them to move.
Roy opened and closed his mouth several times and finally said "Why?"
"You need to take that up with your wife. Now leave and I suggest you don't cause a scene for Johnny's sake" Cap said with authority.
Mrs Stanley, Mrs Stone and Mrs Freeman were packing up Roy's and Adam's belongings as Cap spoke. Dixie had walked over and sat next to Johnny, making sure he didn't witness Roy and Adam being asked to leave. They left without saying another word.
Kirk strolled over and joined Dixie and Johnny. "We have a surprise for you Johnny. How about you come over and join us" he said with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Johnny smiled at Kirk's antics pushing Joanne's harsh words out of his mind.
Everyone was gathered near the barbeque. They parted as Johnny approached giving him access to the table. On the table was a very large cake saying JOHNNY on it. He smiled and looked around at all his friends.
"Well cut it, we're all dying to have a piece" announced Dixie.
Johnny looked at Mrs Stanley and nodded, she nodded back. Johnny loved her cakes and it made her very happy knowing how much Johnny loved them.
"Come on cut it" came a few calls from the crowd.
"OK ok...but first, I just want to thank you all for coming and most of all I want to thank you all for the help and encouragement you all gave me during my recovery. TO MY FRIENDS" Johnny called out as he cut his cake.
From the back of the crowd came a call "TO JOHNNY HIP HIP".
"HOORAY" called out everyone.
Dixie and Mrs Stanley took over cutting up the cake. The first piece went to Johnny He sat down and happily ate his cake. Cap looked over at him and could have sworn he looked like a kid eating his cake. He was glad that Johnny was not brooding over Joanne's cruel words. Months ago he may have done just that but he had grown up a lot and Cap couldn't help but feel very proud of him.
Mike grabbed two pieces of cake and sat next to Dixie giving her one of the plates. He placed an ice tea in front of her. "So Miss McCall, what are you doing tonight?"
"Mmmm...nothing...nothing at all" she said seductively. "What do you have in mind?" Mike wiggled his eyebrows teasingly. Johnny watched the interchange from across the table and smiled broadly.
Roy was fuming as he drove home. He said nothing because the kids were in the car. Both he and Joanne tried to never raise their voices in front of the kids. When they arrived home Joanne took the kids inside and stayed close to them avoiding her husband and his questions.
The kids were really upset; they knew about the cake and wanted to go back to the park. Joanne told them to get ready for their baths. It was still early in the afternoon and they didn't understand why they were being sent to bed early.
Joanne remained upstairs. Roy paced the decking out back. He didn't understand what had happened, having not witnessed his wife's conversation with Johnny. He couldn't take the waiting anymore and called out more harshly than he meant to "Joanne can you please come down stairs? Kids stay up stairs until I call for you".
Joanne knew she couldn't stall any longer. She made her way down the stairs slowly and deliberately. Roy looked up and knew straight away she had done something, guilt was written all over her face.
She decided to attack first "What's wrong with you Roy? Yelling like that. You scared the kids half to death."
"Tell me what happened at the barbeque" said Roy in a controlled voice.
"I think it's quite obvious. Captain Stanley asked us to leave" she said angrily.
"Alright...so tell me...why did he ask us to leave?" Roy looked directly into Joanne's eyes.
"I guess...poor Johnny...didn't like what I said to him. Honestly Hank treats him like a child" she stated crossing her arms defensively across her chest.
Roy sighed and held on tenuously to his temper "What EXACTLY did you say to Johnny?"
"I told him the truth and it obviously was too much for him."
"What is the truth Joanne hmmmm...tell me, because I sure as hell don't know what the TRUTH is lately" yelled Roy losing his patience and temper.
"That he needs to grow up and move on and leave you and Adam as partners" she yelled back.
"WHAT?" Roy looked at his wife through shocked eyes. He couldn't believe his wife had chosen today, or any day for that matter, to say that to Johnny. "He invited us and you insult him. Well just great Joanne. Do you know what you've done?"
"Yes. I've told the truth and obviously the truth hurts but someone had to say it" she said in her defence. "I like having Adam and his family as our friends. What does Johnny offer us?"
"Friendship, help and love for our kids" said Roy justifying Johnny's friendship. "I can't do this Joanne. Listen to me. Johnny is my partner and he is coming back to station 51 whether you like it or not. Adam will work at another station but we'll still stay friends and that is how it's going to be" he stated.
"What about me Roy, I like having them around, I get lonely. I'll lose that company when Adam moves on and I'll be back to lonely nights and days."
"Joanne there's no reason for that friendship not to continue."
"Yes there is. What is he gets a different shift?" she said frowning at her husband.
"Joanne if they are as good friends as you say they are, we'll still make time to see each other. That's what good friends do. They make time for each other" Roy stated and almost choked on his words. "Oh God Johnny" he screwed up his face in angst realising just how much he had failed his partner.