Cs3

John had just enough time to grab some clean clothes and drop off dirty, he was getting down to the nitty gritty, but it would have to last the month. Carrying in the two garbage bags filled with dirty laundry he avoided looking into the living room where it was. Out in five minutes, he quickly drove to his home station with minutes to spare. He was all ready dressed as he went into the apparatus bay.

"Wasn't sure you were going to join us John," Cap smiled at him.

John stood in front of the engine and nodded as Chester B. made an appearance.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world Cap," as Chet slid in.

"Nice to see the holidays aren't keeping you from your jobs," Stanley smiled. "Chet brought in some cookies. Gage and DeSoto hang hose…"

After assigning duties, John had a feeling why the Cap assigned them hose duty. Climbing up the ladder with the hose, Roy took it and went along the brace. However no words were spoken. The famous DeSoto Christmas party was in a few days and Roy still hadn't gotten an answer from his partner.

"Johnny," Roy looked down as Gage carried a one and half hose up.

"What?" John didn't meet his partner's gaze.

Before he could answer the station tones went off and they shimmed down to the squad. Of course it had to be a house fire, set off by faulty Christmas lights, Johnny complained all the way back to the station. How could people be so dumb? They surely saw how old the strings of lights were and needed replacement.

Roy remained silent and waited. But even before they got back to the station the squad was toned out again to the mall. Where another Santa Claus and child were unconscious. Frantic parents stood by but John was the first to get Santa's vitals and smell his breath.

Drunk! Drunk! Drunk!

The child had fallen off of Santa's lap and hit his head. Roy took care of the child while Gage called in vitals on the child and the drunken Santa. Thankfully the child woke up and his parents were taking him to their own doctor. Santa on the other hand was going to Rampart.

"You go with him Roy. I'm not!" John thrust the equipment at Roy and cleaned up not looking as the ambulance sped away.

Roy looked out the back window as he saw his partner in the distance

"No," DeSoto mumbled. "It wasn't going to be a good day at all."

Clutching at the steering wheel, Johnny tried to get his anger under control.

"Why? Why? Why?" Gage shook his head. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"

Once at Rampart, Johnny tried to avoid Dixie but they were low on supplies and he went to the nurse's station only to be confronted by the upset nurse.

"Uh, hi Dix," John waved as he handed her the paperwork.

"Not so fast Johnny," Dixie growled. "You're still in trouble for not coming to my party. Now Roy's is up next and you know who is supposed to be there right."

"Well Dixie," Johnny's smiled, "I hate to tell you this," he could feel those deep blue eyes boring into him but Roy voice's could be heard.

"Got to go, you know," John backed up to his partner.

"Dixie," Roy smiled enjoying Johnny's predicament.

"Just the man I wanted to see. You know me and Kell will be at your party right?" Dixie smiled but giving Johnny side long glances.

"Yeah, Joanne is going crazy cleaning up the place and we've ordered the food and well," Roy was smiling big with his hands in his pockets.

"And what about your partner," Dixie thumbed at John.

"What about me?" Johnny was irritated. "I'm standing right here!"

"Yeah Johnny what about you?" Roy's eyes zeroed in on his partners.

Opening his mouth, tones came out of the HT and they were off again.

****

"Well Gage," Chet sneered as they came back from their run, "You seem to be a popular guy again."

Johnny shook his head, "What are you talking about Chet?"

"Packages pally. Packages. Check out your locker. Cap had me store them there. Planning on opening your own liquor store or something," Chet laughed.

Going to the locker room, John opened his locker to find a multitude of liquors. Scotch, whiskey, tequila and wine and too many other types of liquor to identify.

"Guess working overtime at Christmas had its advantages," Johnny said to himself then he saw Roy.

"Quite a haul Johnny," Roy peeked into his locker. "Chet was right."

"Uh, Roy it's just…"

"Don't tell me you're busy right?" Roy sat down on the bench beside him clasping his hands in front of him and not meeting John's eyes.

Gage joined him.

"Yeah Roy I'm busy," the dark haired paramedic ran his hands through his hair. "But hey if you need any liquor take what you need," he pointed to his locker.

"No thanks, Johnny. I think I'm going to get some coffee and cookies," Roy left silently and John looked forlornly at his full locker.

"Oh man."