Ok, Hope all had a Happy Holiday. To clear up some more questions, yes Kent is a class graduated paramedic but moved to LA before any field work. As any EMS worker can tell you, there is a big difference between what is done in class or with an experienced team working beside you and doing it all by your lonesome.

My timeline is a little different from others. I figure each season was about two years since some episodes covered more than one shift and all EMS workers know it isn't that exciting all the time (or we'd all be burned out really quick)

Also, for you "Love to Hate Kent" fans, here's more fuel to add to that fire. Don't worry, there's some nice revenge planned for him too.

Those of you eager to here about Johnny, sorry. Not much about him in this one, but I promise the next one is chocked full of Johnny.

Poor Roy is getting repeated hits from that Clue bus but look out! That light ahead ISN"T the end of the tunnel!!

Enjoy and as always, I fuel on your feedback!!

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Roy pulled the replacement squad carefully into the bay, noticing that the engine was already back. He also noticed Cap standing near his office door. With his heart in his throat, Roy carefully shut off the squad and looked at his leader. Nothing showed on the man's face and Roy found it suddenly difficult to take a deep breath. The numb feeling still prevailed as he managed to ask, "What's up, Cap?" He was pleased his voice sounded nearly normal. Cap came forward.

"John's out of surgery. Dr. Brackett said things went about as expected with the debrisng. I guess he lost quite a bit of blood; he said you'd understand that."

Roy nodded, "They're probably watching for reactions in his kidneys and other organs. They are affected by severe blood loss. What about the concussion injuries?"

Cap sighed and pulled a small notebook out of his pocket, "Uhhh, moderate concussion, his back and whole left side is really bruised from hitting the squad. They think he hurt his neck too—something like whiplash, however they found no evidence of the brain trauma they feared. His intestines were fine, but they don't know about the lungs since it might not show for awhile."

Again Roy nodded, "Yeah, blast lung can show up as long as 48 hours later."

Cap looked back at his notes, "They got all the glass out. Luckily, the one in his gut hadn't punctured any organs but it was deep and tore through several of the capillaries leading from the artery supplying blood to his colon. I guess they had a time getting the bleeding stopped and everything reconnected. The burns are mostly first degree, some second on his forearms where he used them to cover his head. His hands, however, . . ." he paused to take a deep breath before he continued, "Dr. Bentley said his right hand did have the most damage, the tendons were completely severed on the front and back and he had to uhhh, 'go deep' to get them. He got them reattached though. His left hand was better with only one tendon cut but not severed. They said they don't know yet how much nerve damage there is." He flipped the booklet shut and looked at his senior paramedic, "Roy? They said it could have been much worse. If he hadn't been in an open area of the blast cone . . ."

"He'd be dead." Kent solemnly finished. He shook his head in mock concern then chuckled as he slapped his hand on Roy's shoulder, "Well? Looks like ole Gage dodged another bullet. Come on, I'm hungry. Let's see if Marco has supper yet."

Roy barely heard, he was still thinking about what Cap had just told him. He knew how difficult the surgery would have been to retrieve the severed tendons and then reattach them. Tendons were similar to rubber bands in that they were under tension so when they snapped, they drew back away from the area they should be. There would be no guarantees the reattachment would take and even if it did, there would have to be weeks of intensive physical therapy before John would even be able to use his hands.

Cap, however had refocused on the other man. His face again professional he said, "Not so fast, Kent. I would like to see you in my office."

Kent looked at him and frowned, "Oh. Ok. I'll be there right after I get something to eat. It's been hours since lunch."

Cap stared steadily at the younger man, "That wasn't a suggestion, Kent." He intoned. Marc hesitated, glanced at Roy who gave a faint nod, so with a heavy sigh he headed toward Cap's office. Cap looked up at Roy. "Hanks will be in in about an hour. Until then, the squad is stood down." He told his senior paramedic then turned and walked into his office, shutting the door behind him.

Roy stood there for several more moments, his gaze on the closed door but his mind elsewhere. Finally, with a sigh, he left the bay and wandered toward the kitchen. Working mainly on reflex, he got a cup from the cupboard, filled it with coffee, and sat at the kitchen table. His eyes never focused once and the coffee sat in front of him, forgotten.

Marco and Mike exchanged glances, neither one knowing what to say. Chet took a drink of his own coffee then opened his mouth. Before he could say anything, Roy cut him off. "Not one word, Kelly. I don't want to hear one word. Got it?"

Chet nodded as he answered, "Got it." He finished his coffee, rinsed out his cup and left the room. Roy didn't seem to notice that or when Mike and Marco left also.

Inside Roy's mind that two voiced debate had once again started. 'What happened?' one voice asked, 'Everything was fine when I left.' Unbidden his wife's words from the morning returned, "none of us are promised tomorrow, your job should have taught you that already. None of us." He silently acknowledged her words, 'Yeah, things can change in a second, he paused, in a heartbeat.'

Then that side of him which had seemed to be in control over the last two weeks reared up again, 'Not paying attention to the scene again, I bet. That Gage is a menace and a disaster just wanting to happen. Thank God only he got caught in it and not some innocent.' Roy frowned as he thought somehow that voice didn't seem as loud or as sure as it had before.

He remembered what Kent had told him, about how Gage was just acting strange and wandered off to come running back screaming incoherently at him. 'He should have let Marc know what was going on before it got so bad.' That thought gave him pause again as he remembered Tom's words about Kent shaking Johnny after he'd passed out. 'probably just trying to get a response. Bet it wasn't as bad as Wheeler was making it out to be.' He chuckled, 'After all, we all know Wheeler has a flair for the dramatic.' He nodded to himself, 'Yeah, that's it. It's just lucky Kent wasn't hurt also. Gage's inattention once more causes him to end up in the hospital.' As he thought back, he remembered Kent had 'accused' Johnny of 'fooling around' at the scene and so hadn't taken his warning seriously. This assessment, however, made him feel ill at ease and he shook his head, 'John never fools around while on a scene. He's always professional there no matter what is going on in his life.' That stronger voice stated clearly and he had to agree. He frowned deeper but couldn't help the funny feeling in his gut that worried over his partner. 'I don't want him hurt, I never wanted that. I . . .I just want him to . . .to be a little more careful.'

Roy was still sitting in the chair, with the cold coffee in front of him, when Billy Hanks came into the room. "Roy? Nice to see you again; wish it was under better circumstances." Roy shook the offered hand and the younger man pulled out a chair and dropped into it. "How's Johnny doing?"

After heaving a large sigh, Roy filled the replacement in on what he knew. Billy shook his head, "Man, that sucks. I hope his hands are gonna be alright. Not being a paramedic any more would just about kill Johnny. And you say possible blast lung . . ." Again he shook his head, his face showing genuine concern for the paramedic who helped train him.

Anything else he might have been going to say was interrupted when Kent came back into the room, scowling. "Well that was a complete waste of time," he began then stopped at the sight of a stranger. Billy had stood to greet the other man as Roy looked up.

"Billy? This is Marcus Kent, he's a new paramedic just moved up from San Diego. He's been assigned to us here for his field work. Marc, this is Gage's replacement, Billy Hanks. Billy is one of the paramedics I trained and now he's on his own working out of Station 45, right?"

Billy nodded as he offered his hand to the other man, "That's right. Hi! Roy and Johnny were my field instructors a while back. I can tell you right now, you'll get no better field knowledge than from these two."

Kent took the offered hand and shook it, a smile just barely on the polite side stretching his lips as he said, "Yeah, Roy is the greatest; I couldn't ask for anyone better to work beside. I'm really hoping I can work close with him now." He then turned his back on the other man.

Billy noticed Kent didn't make any mention of Johnny and wondered about that. He knew from his own experience with Station 51 that no paramedic team was closer then DeSoto and Gage. "Well, I better go let Captain Stanley know I'm here so we can get back in service. I'll see you two later." That said, Billy left the dayroom.

Kent watched him go then looked toward Roy, a big smile on his face. "Hey buddy, can we talk?"

Roy looked over at him and Kent took that as agreement. He ducked his head and sighed dramatically, drawing his face into a mournful expression. He watched out the corner of his eye to see Roy's reactions as he stammered out. "I . . .I think I'm in trouble here, buddy. I. . .I really need your help."

Roy raised his eyebrows but didn't comment. Kent sighed again, "I . . I think your Cap, Captain Stanley, I think he's got it in for me."

That did get Roy's full attention. Although Captain Stanley had only been the Captain of 51 for a little over three years he'd so far found the man to be fair and even tempered in all matters.

Roy frowned, "Cap? Why? What gave you that idea?"

Kent sighed heavily, "well, that little 'so called talk' we just had in his office for one. Roy? He questioned my handling of Gage's injures. AND he wants me to fill out an incident report. Said all of that engine crew would be doing it too." He looked up through his lashes with what he hoped was a pathetic look, "He . . .uh, basically told me it would be my word against theirs."

Roy blinked in surprise at the implications of the man before him. He knew an incident report had to be filed after every on-duty injury and that everyone on scene was required to fill one out. Didn't Kent know this? And just what did he mean about 'their word against his'? Just what had happened out there? He sat back in his chair while looking at the other man, a stunned expression on his face. Kent saw it and interpreted it to be for him. "I know! I know! I was just as shocked. I mean, what do any of them know about paramedic skills? They have . . . what? . . . just some basic first aid at best?."

Marc put his hand on his chest in a gesture so reminiscent of Johnny that Roy's breath caught, "I mean. I'm the one trained, I knew what I was doing out there. Oh sure, it might have looked like I hesitated but no more than a few seconds. And I wasn't really, you know, I was just running through all the stuff I'd need to do first, you know, in my mind."

Roy remained silent and Kent again took it as encouragement. "Besides, Gage wasn't really helping me out. I was trying to question him, you know, ask him about his symptoms and stuff and all he'd do was moan and cry. I was trying to stop the bleeding and get vitals and he kept pushing me away. Well, I was afraid of hurting him more, I mean he was so cut up and all, and none of those guys on the engine would come over and help me restrain him." He dropped his head and gave a sad chuckle, "Poor dumb Indian didn't even seem to have the sense to know I was trying to help him. I guess you can train them in some things but not in what really counts, you know what I mean?"

For the first time in two weeks Roy felt his mind sharper than it had been as he listened to the words the man before him was saying. Disbelief filled him. Was he serious? Was this really what had been going on around him? And his descriptions' of John . . . John hadn't been hurt much in the few years Roy'd been partnered with him but when he was, he'd never acted as Kent was describing. Roy blinked again in surprise.

Again Kent sighed as he fiddled with the cup in front of him. "I really need you to help me on this, Roy. I really need you to back me up. Maybe Cap is just sorta soft where Gage in concerned, you know. I mean, Gage is just a kid and is kinda out of his league trying to be a paramedic and all. He's really trying hard, probably to the best of his abilities really, so it's not all his fault. I feel for him, I really do. And I agree with the cause and all but that doesn't mean I want to be made the patsy for Gage's screw-ups either. Maybe Stanley is just worried about how Headquarters will see it since this whole thing of 'equal opportunity' is such a big deal right now. After all, there are two of them on Stanley's team. That's gotta be rough, since this is his first command and all."

He looked up, taking Roy's wide-eyed look and slightly parted mouth as shock over what he'd said. Little did he know this was true, but not in the manner Kent hoped.

Roy swallowed hard and stuttered, "I . . .I don't know what to say . . ." Kent nodded sadly, "I know, it's a bit shocking, isn't it."

Roy numbly shook his head, "You have no idea." He muttered. The sound of the tones stopped all further conversation.

"Squad 51 woman down. Macavie's Restaurant. 8907 Walker Street 8-9-0-7 Walker Street. Cross street Harris. Time out 17:45."

Roy heard Cap acknowledge the call as he passed him and climbed into the squad. He took the offered paper, handed it to Kent who immediately handed it to Hanks. Billy pulled out the map as Roy started the squad and waited for the door to rise. "Turn left, Roy." Hanks stated and Roy followed his lead.

Before long, they pulled up in front of a storefront remade into a café. A man met them on the sidewalk, frowning as he looked over the truck. "Do you have to park it here in front?" He complained in a nasally voice, "It's so . . .so big and not at all conducive to a good image."

Roy ignored him as he and Hanks began pulling equipment. Part of him noticed Kent didn't grab anything, just waited until they had it all. A flicker of recollection revealed that he'd seen that before but had never registered John would be loaded down with all the equipment and Kent would follow after, empty handed. A thought crossed his mind, 'John didn't let Kent do anything. He needs to be useful on these runs so he gets to know what to do.' So he pushed the bio-phone at the other paramedic, saying, "You carry this and get the O2." He didn't see the dirty scowl Kent shot him but Billy did. Roy turned toward the man, stating, "Would you show us where . . .?"

"Yes, yes. Of course. Hurry please." He hastily began leading them around to a side door. Roy stopped before the front door and the man hurried back. "Sir, can't we get to her by . . ."

"Oh Heavens' no! We can't have you going in that way! You'll terrify the customers!" He gasped wide-eyed. "Beside, she was being such a distraction to the other diners—all that moaning and crying and all—that I had her waiter move her back to the rear here. Of course."

Billy rolled his eyes at Roy as he echoed, "Of course."

Kent nodded as he paced Roy. "Certainly. I can understand that. This establishment does have a reputation to uphold, after all. Tam and I frequent this place and would expect nothing less."

Again a part of Roy filed that remark for further study later as the three men hastily followed the manager. Soon he led them into a tiny side storage area where two women huddled together in chairs. One woman, a round faced dark haired woman of medium build, was clutching her chest, rocking back and forth as each gasping breath came out in a moan. The other woman was blonde and statuesque with her make-up running in streaks from her teary eyes as she clutched her friend's shoulders.

"Kent get the O2 on her," Roy quietly ordered then knelt before the dark haired woman with a smile. "Hi there. My name is Roy and these are my partners Marc and Billy. We're paramedics and we're here to help you. Can you tell me what's happening?"

The woman's frightened eyes latched onto his and she gasped, "Pain! Oooh such pain! In my chest."

"All right," Roy acknowledged as Billy pulled out the bp cuff. My partner here is going to get a blood pressure reading here while I check your pulse, ok?" She nodded as Billy placed the cuff around her arm and pumped it up while Roy counted first her pulse then her respirations. "Marc," He looked over toward Kent and found him standing behind the other woman with the manager. He frowned, "Kent!"

Kent startled and hurried over. "Sorry, I was finding out what happened. Derrick says they had just had a large meal and were having another glass of wine when she, " he nodded to the woman Billy now slipped an O2 mask on, "started moaning and crying.'

Rou gave a curt nod. "Billy set up the bio-phone, Kent you assist me." Again Kent scowled and this time Roy saw it. "Billy, pulse is 120 and rapid. Respirations are 26 and shallow." Billy nodded as he called into the receiver, "Rampart, this is Squad 51. Do you read me?"

"I can handle the bio-phone if you'd rather Hanks help you," Marc suggested. Roy just glanced at him before turning his attention back to the lady in front of him as he scooped up the stethoscope. "I'm just gonna take a listen here, Ma'am"

"Sylvia Marten, Mrs. Sylvia Marten." The woman behind her corrected. Roy smiled at both women reassuringly, "Yes, Mrs. Marten." He listened to her heart as Billy relayed what the situation was and the vitals they had taken. He pulled the tips from his ears. "Marc, get the leads out."

"Oh God!" The woman gasped. "I was right! Unice! I was right! It's a heart attack!" She clutched Roy's arm in a surprising firm grip. "I'm gonna die aren't I!"

"Mrs. Marten, calm down, now just calm down. I didn't say that." He pointed to Billy, who he saw had pulled out the set-up for an IV and was now pulling out the leads as well. Roy found himself grinding his teeth but continued, "See that machine right there? Well, it's connected to the hospital and there is a doctor talking to us. This machine will allow that doctor to see how you heart is beating. Alright? Now calm down. Can you tell me about this pain? Where is it at?"

She nodded but her eyes still showed her panic, "It . . .it hurts here." She pointed to the center of her chest, just above her ample breasts. "and. . .and here." She placed a hand over the right upper quadrant of her abdomen and it kinda goes into my back."

He nodded. "Any pain in you neck? Your jaw? How about your arms?" She shook her head to each question, then groaned loudly again, her face scrunched up in pain as she cried out.

Her friend screamed also and began hyperventilating while flailing her arms. "She'sgonnadieshe'sgonnadie!" She chanted over and over. "Kent," Kent looked at Roy who then looked at Unice then back at Kent. Kent merely blinked at him and Roy again clinched his teeth. A thought flitted through his head in that second, 'I wish John were here.' However, Billy knew what he needed. He told Rampart, "Rampart this will be lead two," then thunked Kent none to gently with the receiver as he said, "Here Kent take over."

With a big smile on his face, Billy then placed gentle hands on either one of Unice's shoulders and in a voice sounding so much like his real partner Roy had to smile, said, "Now, now, Unice, settle down, settle down. We have a doctor right here and we'll take good care of your friend. Why don't you have a seat right here where you can see everything. That's right, deep breaths, calmly, calmly."

Roy started the IV then turned to stare at the monitor. "Uh Roy? Dr. Brackett says he reads normal sinus rhythm with slight tachycardia but no PVC's" Roy took the receiver from Kent and said, "Rampart we concur. Did you get a description on the locations of the victim's pain?"

"Affermative 51."

Kent sat back, watching while Roy took over complete care of the patient, administering the required meds and helping the woman into the gurney. As the attendants wheeled her out, Roy turned to Kent. "You go with Billy. Get this gear packed up." With that he was gone, following the attendants and the gurney. Billy finished comforting Unice who had calmed down considerably and was now profusely thanking the paramedic for saving her friend's life. Then she too was gone, hurrying off to meet the ambulance at the hospital.

Kent didn't say a words, but the scowl on his face told a story in its self as he helped Hanks pack the gear and slide into the squad. After they'd been on the road about seven minutes he suddenly snorted, "Stupid waste of time and county monies." He groused.

Billy glanced at him, confusion clear on his face. Kent nodded, "That old lady. She probably just stuffed herself silly and has a case of indigestion. And for that we get called in, embarrass a good restaurant and miss supper ourselves."

Billy remained quiet a few more minutes as he debated over what he'd seen at the scene and what this new guy now said. The he carefully shook his head. "I don't think so, Marc. Her signs and symptoms said there was something wrong."

Kent snorted again, "Yeah. They did. They said the old broad was just having a hissy fit over a little indigestion. A complete waste of time." He settled further into the seat, still grumbling under his breath. Billy, for his part, remained silent.

As the two walked into the ER they saw Roy talking to Betty at the desk. When he saw them, he said his good-byes and came toward them grinning.

Kent immediately took that as a conformation of his theory and snorted derisively, "Let me guess, nothing but indigestion right?"

Roy shook his head, "No, no that wasn't it. Brackett thinks it is either her pancreas or a gall bladder attack. They're gonna run some more tests and probably refer her to an expert. Either way, she was in a lot of legitimate pain according to Doc."

Billy frowned now, "Does he think she'll be alright?"

Roy shrugged, "He seemed to think so. If it is her gall bladder they may hafta remove it but he seemed to think she'd be ok in the long run."

Billy nodded and neither one of them spoke again as they walked back out to the squad.

As they rode back to the station, Roy thought over the scene and how Marc had acted. 'I really need to work more with him. Gage has been teaching him all wrong with doing everything for him. I'll really have to step up his training now with Gage gone.'

Supper was a subdued affair again. Roy sat deep in thought, barely touching his food. Marc glowered though his meal and left the table as soon as he was finished. Billy, who had just gotten off his regular shift that morning opted to turn in early. Cap went off to his office to tackle paperwork and shift replacements for Johnny. Marco and Chet wondered off as well, unable to look at Roy. Roy stood and began helping Mike clear off the table and clean the kitchen. "I'll wash if you dry." He told the other man. Mike nodded in agreement.

Silence reigned for several long moments before Mike said, "He's gonna pull through, Roy."

Roy nodded, knowing exactly what his shiftmate meant without explaination. "Oh. I know. His injuries aren't very bad. Well, except for his hands. Those could put him out of commission for a long time. Perhaps even permanently." Even as he spoke the words, part of Roy cringed. 'Johnny? No longer a paramedic? That would kill him.' But that other side seemed to still have control of his mouth again and he found himself saying, "You know, Mike. With a little more training, Marc will make a good partner and I trust him. He much more reliable than Gage ever was." Roy handed another dish to his shiftmate, unaware of the stunned look on the engineer's face. "I'm thinking I might request him as a permanent partner. If Gage can't come back, that is." He chuckled as he rinsed out the last glass and drained the water in the sink. "Let's face it, when it comes right down to it, Marc is no John Gage. I'll have better luck at having a partner who can stay off the injured list with him than with John."

At the strange strangled sound, Roy finally looked up into Mike's face, saw the red cheeks, intensely burning eyes and the thinned lips. He hesitated, "Uhhh, Mike? You alright?"

That was all it took; Mike blew. "That's a load of shit, DeSoto and you know it!" He bellowed. "You don't really trust Kent, Roy, you control him. Is that really what you want? Is that what is really at the bottom of all this? You couldn't control what happened to Jenny and that scared you. So you started trying to control everything around you and you took your anger out on Johnny." Roy opened his mouth to protest even as some hidden part of him acknowledged the engineer's correct assumptions. But Mike was on a roll and refused to be sidetracked.

"You are right about one thing, Kent is no John Gage. The man can barely think for himself and you've not made that any better by your own actions. John Gage was a good rescue man before he became your partner. He could handle himself in a fire and had done so for over three years—without you or anyone else guiding him. He could get in, and get people back out safely. Do you think Marc can do that? Can he make a decision when the flames are licking at his turnouts? When was the last time you saw him climb up the side of a cliff or building like Johnny can? Or go down into some sewer hole or into a tunnel. Sure he might be slim enough to fit but would he know what to do once he got there?" He looked into the shocked blue eyes. "Again I say, you are right, Marcus Kent is no John Gage." He stared there a minute longer before he added. "And he may never make a good paramedic, because of you."

Angry now, Roy glared at him, "What do you mean by that?! I'm a good teacher; I've trained several paramedics who have gone on to do well in the field."

Mike nodded his head in agreement, "Yes. Yes, you have. Before this. But you haven't allowed Marc to train like you and Johnny trained the others. You've tried to turn Marc into something. . .something . . . I don't know what, but I do know you failed him." He moved closer, "And your failing nearly killed Johnny."

Roy felt a chill run through him. He knew Mike's words were true; he'd begun to see it himself. But he tried to bluff his way through. "What do you mean, Stoker?" He growled.

"When Johnny was hurt, when he was lying there bleeding and needing a paramedic to take care of him, Kent froze up. Johnny was talking him through his own care. Can you imagine that Roy? Kent was so lost Johnny was having to lead him through each step. And then Johnny passed out." Mike shook his head, he still didn't like the image in his mind's eye. His voice soft he continued. "I heard Kent, heard him screaming and looked over. Johnny was limp; I knew he was out. And Kent had him up, holding him by the shoulders, shaking him and screaming at him 'Wake up! Wake up! You have to tell me what to do! Tell me what to do!' If Cap hadn't already called for another squad and 110's hadn't shown up just then . . ." he shuddered, "Johnny was bleeding out and all Kent could do was shake him."

Roy found the image in his mind disturbing, His mouth closed and opened like a fish out of water but nothing came out. Mike, however, was having no trouble getting the thoughts he'd withheld for two long weeks to come out. "And another thing. It's Kent's fault Johnny was hurt. Kent ignored Johnny, Roy, and in doing so nearly got him killed." Roy looked unconvinced, "oh come on now Stoker." He scoffed, "Why would Marc do that?"

Mike glared harder, "I don't know why; perhaps you can tell me why Kent would dismiss what Johnny said as trivial and unworthy of attention."

Guilt flared bright in Roy as he realized that was exactly how he'd 'trained' the other man to think of anything his 'partner' said. But he remained silent so Mike continued. "Johnny is experienced as we both well know. He smelled the gas and correctly identified where it was coming from. He went back to the squad, called it in and told Kent to move the squad out of the way when he saw a civilian heading for the same door he smelled the gas coming from. He took the guy over to Cap, told Cap what was happening, and found out if there was anyone else in the building then noticed Kent still hadn't moved the squad. He was running back to get Kent out when it blew." Mike had moved so close to the senior paramedic his hot breath blew in Roy's face. "So you see? It was Kent's inability to see what was going on and refusal to pay attention to the warnings of a senior man that put Johnny in danger. Johnny did everything just as he should have and he's the one who is now lying in a hospital bed possibly crippled for life because he is as good as he is. So don't even try to tell me that Kent is in any way better than John Gage." With that angry burst ended, Mike spun on his heel and marched off leaving a stunned Roy in his wake.

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