CS6
The movie was over and the A shift headed to bed. Cap stopped Roy before he headed to the dorm. They were both by the kitchen sink, putting their cups away.
"Roy is John okay?" Stanley had a frown on his face and furrowed brow as he leaned on the counter. He had heard some things he couldn't confirm.
"Uh, I think so, but you know Johnny," Roy shrugged and looked at his superior wondering why he was worried about his partner.
"He's not having money problems is he?" Hank crossed his arms hoping for answers.
"Like I said Cap, he doesn't talk much about that stuff. Why? Is he in trouble?" Roy glanced towards the dorm and wanting to talk to Johnny.
"Um, not exactly. Just look after him, k?" Cap headed towards the dorm and he patted him on the DeSoto on the shoulder.
"Why wouldn't I look after him? He's my partner Cap," Roy followed slowly after Hank into the dorm and indignant he would do otherwise.
Roy found his partner all ready asleep. His gear all ready, his right arm over his eyes and his left hand resting lightly on a paperback on his chest. Even in his sleep, Johnny's jaws were clenched. The sandy haired paramedic carefully slid the book from his partner's hand, dog eared the page and put it under the bed.
Climbing into his bed, he looked at his partner.
"Wonder what's going on with you Junior," taking his covers he went into a much needed sleep.
The next morning, Gage felt like there were two sets of eyes on him, watching his every move. He wasn't a child; he could take care of himself but working so close he would have to shield himself even further.
Still in uniform, Roy stopped him in the parking lot and looked at him.
"Johnny, you okay?" Roy frowned trying to hide his worry and his partner hadn't changed.
"Of course I'm okay Roy. Why wouldn't I be?" John turned to his car, getting tired of the incessant questions about him. He just wanted to be left alone. He did his job, what more could they want from him.
"It's just, you know Christmas is a week away and well, we, I mean, me, Joanne and the kids were hoping to see you, before then," Roy felt tongue tied seeing a slight hint of pain in his partner's brown eyes and then disappeared.
John stuck his hands in pockets, his fists clenched. Counting to ten he answered his nosy partner.
"Roy I've been taking care of myself before I met you and I did a pretty good job of it. I…"
"Johnny," Roy placed a hand on Gage's shoulder. "It's just the kids and Joanne misses you. You know, you made quite an impression on the kids and well, being Christmas and all they," he smiled.
John looked at his watch. "I've got to go."
"Wait a minute Johnny. You know if you're in trouble you can talk to me and…"
Johnny waved as he got into his Rover gunned the engine and drove around a stunned partner. Turning his radio loud, Gage tried to find some music for his long drive to his next station.
"I'll be home for Christmas."
John punched the next button.
"I'll I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."
He punched again.
"Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree. Been an awful good girl."
Frustrated he punched another button with another Christmas song filling up his car. Finally at his limit he reached for his cassettes, he put a Lynyrd Skynyrd tape in cranked it up full blast and rolled down his windows.
Roy watched as his partner drive off in a huff. He scratched his head trying to think when Johnny had started acting so different. It was almost like when they were first partners. He liked Johnny, he was a good man with his own eccentric traits but he was pulling further and further apart. DeSoto had gone to Gage's apartment trying to talk to him, finding his car gone and John no where in sight.
Shrugging he climbed into his car driving home to his loving family.
****
The stations were running together for John and he couldn't seem to find the energy he needed. It felt like he was streamlining coffee, but once there was a call, he stayed totally focused on the victim, sometimes missing his temporary partner's cue. Standing up from a call, he felt lightheaded but was able to control it. Too many calls, with no time to eat had taken his toll on him. Once back at the station, he ate all he could before the next call.
Sleeping was interrupted by too many calls and too little sleep; it was going to be a long haul the last week of before Christmas. He also noticed the Captain was paying more attention to him and the men had stopped talking when he made it to the day room. The men seemed okay and the conversation was light, but John felt something was going on behind his back. Great, just great. Can't something go right for me, just this once?