Johnny sat down on his couch and let out a huge sigh, the shower had washed away the sweat and grime from the day but it failed to wash away his troubled thoughts. As much as he tried to hold onto and believe Cap's advice, he still doubted himself. Joanne had told him he was being selfish expecting Adam to move on to another station. Maybe he was being selfish especially since Adam had built up a good friendship with Roy. He didn't want to work with Roy if he was only feeling sorry for him. Johnny didn't know what to do and he hated feeling this way. Maybe it would be better if he moved on and started fresh. He would miss Cap and Mike but he knew their friendship was strong enough to endure a change in stations. He certainly wouldn't miss Chet. He would keep up his friendship with Marco by continuing to help him out with his house even though he hadn't been able to help the past few months.

If he spoke to Chief Houts maybe he could post him somewhere that still worked out of Rampart. He'd explained the situation to the Chief. Yeah that's what he'll do, go down to headquarters and check with them. Roy and Joanne would be happy, Adam and his family would be happy and Johnny would be miserable. Who am I kidding? Johnny sat and brooded, he didn't want to be the one causing problems for Roy at home but he really didn't want to leave station 51. Then again maybe it was time to move on and take on a young partner who he could develop into a good paramedic. Too much thinking Gage he scolded himself. All this thinking made him tired and before he knew it he dropped off into a disturbed sleep on the couch.

Dixie was enjoying Mike Stoker's company. The quiet unassuming engineer had a quirky sense of humor that she found endearing. He was interesting too, being an avid reader he could talk about anything. She enjoyed his company so much that she invited him back to her place for coffee. Mike wasted no time, as soon as she sat next to him he planted a passionate kiss on her beautiful lips and Dixie melted into his arms.

Roy laid on his back staring at the ceiling. He had a bad taste in his mouth as the words he had preached to his wife came back to him as bile. His wife had pleaded with him to understand her needs. Mrs Staney was way too old for her to be close friends but Adam's wife was perfect and she understood how Joanne felt being a fire fighter's wife. She needed her friendship and she was afraid of losing it. Especially if Adam partnered with another family man or moved to a station whose crew had married men. He loved his wife and knew he needed to support her. Maybe it would be better for all concerned if Johnny moved on. It was pretty obvious that things would never be the same between them. Roy resolved to explain to Johnny what Joanne was trying to tell him and hopefully he would understand.

All the stress had affected him in more ways than one. Unable to perform in the bedroom for the first time in their married life made him even more frustrated. Joanne's comment that being around Johnny always affected him didn't help. He decided to give Johnny the option to move on. He never thought that he should be the one to move on, he just assumed because Johnny was single that he should be the one to transfer. He didn't realise he was being exactly what Joanne had accused Johnny of, he was being selfish. He was also giving up on their friendship.

Cap was having his own private battle. Being Roy's Captain meant he would have to leave his personal feelings out of the workplace. This was going to be difficult having been the one to console Johnny over Roy's wife's cruel words. Remaining neutral through the whole sordid affair was getting harder each time Johnny had contact with Roy. Somehow he would get past his personal feelings and act professional towards Roy, but he knew it was becoming more challenging by the day.

Someone who was having no problems was Mike. His performance in the bedroom was beyond anything Dixie had experienced in her life. Mike and Dixie were ending their day on a high, whilst their friends were mulling over the repercussions of Johnny and Joanne's falling out.

Roy was like a bear with a sore head when he turned up for shift. "Great Gage isn't even here and he causes chaos in the station" complained Chet.

Mike shook his head at Chet; he wasn't going to let the childish mind of Chet spoil his good mood. He left the locker room without comment and ignored both Roy and Chet when he sat and drank his coffee before roll call. Cap grabbed his coffee and headed back to his office. Mike could see the strain this was placing on his Cap. Something was going to give and he was worried that the Cap would be unable to remain impartial. Watching from the sidelines had its advantages and Mike came to an important decision; that he definitely was not ready to become a Captain.

The phone rang and Chet answered it. "Oh hi Joanne...yes he's here, what did you do to him last night. He's biting everyone's head off...oh yeah...that explains it. I thought so even in his absence we're reminded of him."

Mike caught a few of Chet's words and didn't like what he was hearing. Chet went very quiet, listening intently and spoke very softly into the phone to make sure he wasn't overheard. He then called out to Roy and told him his wife was on the phone. Mike sighed, this was not good. Now Chet was getting involved which would mean Johnny would come off second best and Mike didn't like those odds. Maybe it was time he stepped in and evened up the odds. Johnny could use some help, it was becoming too one sided. He knew Cap couldn't say anything at work but Mike could. He'd just have to be careful and stop himself from punching Roy's and Chet's lights out.

When Roy got off the phone Mike went to the dorm and made a phone call.

"Hello" Johnny answered the phone groggily; he had slept all night on the couch. Muscles he didn't even know he had were aching from the awkward position he had been sleeping.

"Johnny its Mike. I just wanted to let you know Chet had been talking to Joanne this morning. If he pays you a visit tomorrow after shift don't let him in and most of all don't listen to him."

"Sure Mike whatever you say. Why was Joanne talking to Chet?" asked Johnny a bit bemused.

"He just happened to answer the phone but he also complained about Roy's mood and that's when he started listening closely to her. You know Chet he loves gossip and he loves stirring. So don't listen to him."

"Ok Mike I won't but I don't understand what I did to make Joanne dislike me so much."

"You didn't do anything Johnny, it's her problem. She's ..." Mike didn't want to sound too harsh, knowing Johnny wouldn't like someone putting down Roy's wife. "She's just got a few issues and I think you've unfortunately got caught up in it through no fault of your own" explained Mike.

"Yeah I guess so, but I kinda got the feeling that she never has liked me" Johnny said despondently. "Hey Mike, how did last night go?" Johnny asked wanting to not think about Joanne for now.

"I don't kiss and tell" answered Mike. Johnny could hear him smiling into the phone.

"So you kissed huh?" Johnny said teasingly knowing Mike was too much of a gentleman to elaborate.

"Yeah well that's all you're getting out of me."

"Guess I'll have to work on Dixie" Johnny countered. Mike snorted into the phone.

"Good luck. Somehow I get the feeling she'd be more tightly lipped than me. She's one incredible lady" said Mike.

"And I love her Mike so don't you hurt her" said Johnny seriously.

"I would never Johnny. You should know that" Mike stated.

"I know, but she's my family, you know. I hope it works out for you two, you make a great couple. Hey if you get married that makes you part of my family too".

"Shut up Gage. Quit while you're ahead. Remember what I said, don't listen to Kelly, got it?"

"Yeah I got it Mike, Bye Dad" said Johnny chuckling on his end of the phone.

Mike shook his head and put down the receiver without saying goodbye. It was just as well because Chet chose that moment to walk into the dorm.