Ok, here's another one and Johnny is here again. I think this one will answer some questions. As always thanks for the feedback!

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Dixie looked over her desk with a sigh. 'Feels like I just left here,' she told herself but she knew that had been nearly twelve hours ago now. She remembered the conversation she'd had with Roy right before she left 'I hope I got through to him. I know his attitude can make the whole difference in Johnny's recovery.' With another sigh, she began putting order to the chaos of paperwork.

"I see you have been very busy. Can you spare some time for a coffee and maybe a conversation?" A thickly accented voice caught her attention and Dixie looked up in surprise. First -- she noticed that two hours had passed since she'd started working, second --she noticed the smiling face of her friend, Adelina Lopez, standing in front of her. She smiled, "Lina! You're in early today!"

Adelina nodded, "Yes, I told Sheila in Peds I would help her with the early feedings. This . . . how do you say, epidemic of flu, has made help short."

Dixie rolled her eyes and took the cup Adelina offered her, "Don't I know it. It's hitting everywhere in the hospital. And I'm afraid it'll get worse before it gets better." She sipped the brew and raised her eyebrows in appreciation. "Lina! This isn't Rampart's normal!"

Lina's eyes twinkled as she put a finger to her lips. "I made you a special pot of some of my own."

Dixie sniffed deeply over the cup, "ahhh, the smell alone is pure nirvana." Lina pulled another stool around and sat next to her friend. She reached into her ever present bag and pulled out a plastic container. She opened it, revealing fat cinnamon rolls. Dix took the offered treat and bit into it. Both women ate silently for several moments then Dix eyed her friend. "Lina, as much as I enjoy this, I have a feeling you've something else on your mind."

Lina gave an innocent look to her friend. Dixie chuckled then became serious, "And I think I know what it's about, too."

Lina nodded and carefully placed her cup down, her eyes remaining on it. "I . . . went up to SICU when I came in today."

"And you found Johnny had checked himself out." Dixie finished. "I found out myself yesterday."

Lina looked up, her ebony eyes filled with tears, "He is too weak to be on his own. He could barely sit up, let alone take care of himself."

Dixie placed her cup down as well. "I know. I tried several times to call him and each time all I got was a busy signal. I've left a message with Hank Stanley but I haven't heard from him yet. A-Shift is on now, aren't they?"

Lina nodded. Dixie went on to tell her what Gretchen had let her know and the discussion she'd had with Roy. Lina listened, carefully quiet as Dixie spoke. When she was finished there were several long moments of silence from both worried friends. Then just as Lina opened her mouth to say something, the phone on the desk rang. Dix smiled as she raised one finger and told her friend, :Hold that thought." Into the phone she said, "Emergency department, Nurse McCall speaking, how may I help you."

Silence reigned on the other end for several moments then a hesitant voice asked, "Uh. . . Dixie?"

Dixie felt a cold rush flood her body, part relief, part anger and it showed in her voice. "John Gage, where have you been? I've been worried sick! I've been calling you for the last two days."

Another pause then, "Sorry Dix. I was pretty out of it yesterday, slept most of the day. I just discovered this morning my cat knocked the receiver off my phone." Johnny glared at PQ who sat next to him washing her paw as if nothing was wrong.

He turned his attention back to the phone, "uh listen Dix, are . . .is Brackett available?"

Something in her nurse's intuition started alarming and she straightened in her chair. She looked around, surprised to see the object of discussion just leaving his office. She quickly caught his eye and motioned him over. "Yes, yes, Johnny, he's right here."

Kel smiled at the two ladies and waved a file at them, "Forgot my records." He said then paused, his face suddenly serious as he heard what Dixie said, "That's Johnny?"

Dixie nodded as she covered the receiver, "Yes, finally. No one's been able to get ahold of him since he checked out. Kel, he doesn't sound right."

Kel's frown deepened as he motioned for the phone. "This is Brackett. What's up, Johnny. Uh huh. Uh huh. When did it start? I see. How high is it now?" He glanced at the two women who themselves exchanged worried glances. "Yes, I want to see you. As soon as you can get in here! I'll give you back to Dixie and I expect to see you in my emergency room before noon today or I will personally send a squad and an ambulance to your place."

He handed back the phone but told Dixie, "Gage is running a fever. Have me paged as soon as he shows."

Dixie took the phone again, "Johnny?"

"I guess he's a little mad?" came the soft contrite voice.

Dixie chuckled, "Not mad, Johnny. He's concerned. And I'm sure he's glad you called. I didn't hear, how high and when did it start?" She pulled out a blank chart pad as he sighed then told her. Once he'd told her everything he could, he sighed again. "Now I gotta call someone and see about getting a ride in."

Dixie looked up as Lina, who had heard everything, motioned for the phone. She handed it over and Lina immediately said. "Mi hijo, it's Momma. I'm here with Dixie right now. I can come get you. Sure, it is no trouble. I will be there by . . ." she looked up at the clock and calculated the time out to his ranch from the hospital. "Say 10? Ok, Juanito. I will see you then."

She hung up the phone and Dixie frowned at her. "10?" she questioned, "Why so long? Kel wants to see him as soon as possible. If he's starting an infection . .."

Lina raised her hand, her eyes closed, "I know I know. You and the good doctor are concerned about Juanito's body's health. I am too. But." She opened her eyes and looked deep into Dixie's, "I am more concerned over healing his soul as well as his body and I think I know how we might aid that along." Dixie watched her, silently sipping on her refreshed coffee cup as Lina pulled the phone over toward her. When she started dialing a number, Dixie's eyebrows raised in surprised recognition.

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Jo looked over at her calendar, a little surprised that in a normally packed schedule there were no red marks listed for today; no doctor's appointments, no ball games, no dance lessons, nothing. The kids were gone, Jenny spending the weekend with Jo's sister and her daughter "doing girl things' and Chris spending time over at Bob Schultz's house with the other kids and leaving for boy scout camp the next morning. Jo looked around the quiet house, a smile growing on her face. The laundry was caught up, the ironing all done, floors and walls cleaned, no real chores needing her attention.

She looked down at the cat twyning around her ankles, "Well, Mousie, maybe I have a day to myself! Whatever shall I do?" She giggled at her own foolishness then titled her head in thought. "I do have that book I bought that I haven't been able to read more than the cover on." Humming a tune, she poured herself a large glass of tea and picked up her book from its spot on the coffee table. Just as she walked through the kitchen toward the back door, the phone rang. She laughed as she emptied her hands. 'And so it ends'. "Hello?"

"Hello, JoAnne?" came a heavily accented voice. "This is Adelina Lopez."

"Oh," Jo said with a smile in her voice for the Hispanic woman, "Hello. How are you?" 'Wonder what she wants, probably something for her church; I know she's involved in a lot of activities there.'

"I'm fine, thank you. JoAnne, I called to ask a large favor of you."

Jo shrugged her shoulders, 'well so much for my book'. But she pleasantly answered, "Certainly Adelina, what do you need?"

"It seems I've . . . how do you say? Overbooked my time today. I promised Father Mendoza I'd help straighten the food pantry today and then promised a friend I'd take him to a doctor's appointment."

"Oh," was the only comment Jo could think to make, then she laughed, "You know? I've done that myself. So what can I do to help?"

"Oh, thank you so much. Would you take Juanito—Johnny, I mean, to Rampart today at 10:30? He has an appointment with Dr. Brackett. Again bless you JoAnne. Well gotta go. Thanks again." Momma Lopez hung up the phone and looked up into the eyes of the woman standing next to her. "There, it is done. Now we wait and watch."

Dixie shook her head and chuckled, "Lina, you amaze me. No one would expect such a fine catholic woman as you to have such a devious mind." She grinned in admiration at her long time friend. Adelina gave a nonchalant shrug of one shoulder as she stirred her coffee. "I am not devious, just . . .how do you say? resourceful. Juanito needs the DeSotos in his life, you agree? Roy is his best friend, maybe the only person he's ever really been completely himself with, you agree?"

Dix sighed, "I can't argue that; I've seen how he's bloomed since he and Roy have been partners."

Adelina nodded, "So have I. He's been happier than I've ever seen him, even happier than when he was with me. Whatever has happened, whatever was done or said between them, it is now killing the boy, you agree?"

Again Dixie had to nod; she'd seen a vibrant energetic man become quiet and withdrawn. And the weight loss! Even Kel had been worried while Johnny was still in the hospital. Adelina gave a satisfied nod. "So. Maybe Roy won't talk to Juanito but I bet Roy talks to his wife. JoAnne DeSoto is a good woman; she loves my Juanito like family. I bet she didn't know what happened and I bet now that she does, things will change. You watch. You get the wife and you have the husband."

Again Dixie chuckled, "Well, you might not agree but I still say you are devious. And, for what it's worth, I'm praying like mad you are right."

Adelina laid a wrinkled hand on Dixie's, her face and voice serious, "It must work. And as for praying, don't stop. They all need plenty of that."

Dixie nodded yet again, remembering her prayer just a few days ago when she'd stated that something had to change, that Johnny couldn't take much more. 'This isn't quite what I meant, Lord. I didn't want him hurt more than he already was hurting. But if this is your will, please let this work.' As if she'd heard, or perhaps to complete a prayer offering of her own, Adelina whispered a soft, "Amen," then she stood. "Now I must get myself to the church."

Dix looked at her, confused, and Adelina gave her an innocent smile. "I have to help Father Mendoza clean up the food pantry." She shook a finger at Dix and scolded, "You didn't think I would lie to the woman, do you? A good catholic woman like me?" She laughed along with Dix as she waved and walked away.

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Jo looked at the dead receiver in her hand then back down to the sheet of paper where she'd been writing the request down. "Johnny? Wait. What?" Right there in her own writing were the words, Johnny, Dr. Brackett, Rampart 10:30. She looked up at the clock. It read 9:15. She had just enough time to change her clothes before she had to get to Johnny's ranch. Without a moment's more hesitation, she raced off.

As she pulled her wagon out of the garage and pushed the button for the door she couldn't help but wonder, 'What's going on here? Why does Johnny have to see Dr. Brackett? I thought he was on duty today? I know the rest of A-Shift are. Roy didn't say anything about Johnny being hurt or sick.' Then she sighed, "Well," she spoke out loud, "The way that husband of mine has been acting lately where his partner is concern, maybe I shouldn't be so surprised he didn't say anything."

As she made her way to the outskirts of town, she couldn't help but worry over what Johnny needed a doctor for. She glanced at the crucifix that dangled from her mirror and prayed, "Please Lord. We need your healing in this family. Something is terribly wrong and I'm afraid I'm about to find out even more."

Jo pulled into the long dirt driveway and checked the time. 9:45. She'd made good time getting out here. Now if Johnny was ready and they left in the next few minutes they should make it in time. She scurried up the deck steps and knocked on the door.

"It's open." Johnny's muffled voice came through the door. She pushed the door open and walked inside. She looked around, smiling at Johnny's décor. His home was so . . .Johnny. The comfortable furniture that just begged you to sprawl in it, the soft throws over the couch in their colorful Indian patterns, the shelves filled with books and odds and ends. She walked over to the huge fireplace and frowned. All the pictures there on the mantel had been placed facedown. She slowly turned one over, seeing her family's smiling faces within the frame. "Oh Johnny," she murmured with a sigh.

"Sorry. I'm running a bit behind. Tezi ran off with my shoes and I had to dig out another pair." Johnny's voice was coming closer as he made his way from the side room into the living room. "Just let me get these on and I'll . . ." his voice faltered as he finally looked up.

Jo had turned around as Johnny had started speaking and now stood, eyes wide, hand to her mouth, as she stared at her friend. "My God! Johnny! What happened?" Her eyes searched his body over as he stood frozen in the hallway, a pair of shoes dangling from his bandaged left hand, his right hand cast from fingertips to mid forearm. His upper arms were wrapped in bandages as well. Smaller cuts and scrapes showing around the white. A row of stitches crossed his left cheek and all over his face and neck other small cuts were held closed by butterflies or small stitches. His face and neck were red and beginning to peel from what Jo instantly recognized as burns. His shirt hung open and under the tank style t-shirt she could see more heavy patches. As she watched, his hands dropped to his sides and he made his way in a painful shuffle over to the couch. Once there he carefully sat down, wincing as he did. He looked back up at her, "I . . .I was expecting Momma Lopez." he stammered.

Jo walked quickly toward him, "She couldn't make it. Something at the church, I understand, so she asked me to come. Johnny, what happened?"

Johnny tried pulling his shoe open by placing it between his knees then tugging at it with his injured left hand. "If you ask your husband, he'll tell you I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings." He murmured.

After watching him fumble for a few moments, Jo made a tsk sound and dropped to her knees before him. She grabbed the shoe out from between his legs and picked up his foot. She paused then slid the sneaker on his foot and tied the lace. She repeated the process on the other foot and stood. As she did and before he could move, she laid the back of her hand on his forehead. She'd been right. She'd felt the unnatural heat coming off his feet. "Johnny, you have a fever."

While Jo had been getting his shoes on, Johnny had been buttoning his shirt. When her hand was gently laid on his forehead, Johnny couldn't help but close his eyes. It felt blessedly cool and the touch of another person comforted him more than he could have thought.

He nodded in answer to her statement. "I know. That's why I'm gonna see the doc." She moved her hand to under his arm and helped him stand. Although part of him wanted to pull back from her, to refuse her aid, another part of him craved the care she was giving him. But the majority of him was just too tired and too sore to care about anything.

She led him out the door, her lower lip caught between her teeth over the shivers she felt from his overheated body. She knew he was in pain although he did his best to hide it. She could see it in his slow and deliberate movements, in the pinched look around his eyes, and the thinning of his lips. Finally she had him in the car and he leaned back into the seat with a heavy sigh. She ran back up to the house and pulled the door shut, making sure it was locked. She climbed into her seat, seeing he'd already buckled himself in and buckled her own seatbelt. As she pulled away from his house, he looked into the back seat with a frown. "JoAnne?" He questioned. She smiled and anticipating his question responded with an answer before he could continue.

"Chris has Boy Scout camp this week and Jenny is spending the weekend with Joyce. You've got my total undivided attention, young man." She glanced at him. The barest hint of a smile touched his lips then vanished. She reached out a hand and placed it on his hot one. "Johnny. You never did answer me. When did this happen? What happened?"

Johnny sighed but didn't remove his hand from hers. "We . . .we got called to a man down last shift. After Roy had taken him to the hospital, I smelled gas coming from one of the buildings. I let Cap know and was trying to warn Kent who was in the squad and it blew. I . . .I just wasn't fast enough; I got caught. That's all there is to it."

She nodded her head. She knew she'd gotten the condensed version but she also knew Dixie would tell her all the details once Jo pushed her. The rest of the way was driven in silence. Jo noticed Johnny's head had lolled to one side, eyes closed and she hoped he slept. From the dark circles around his eyes, she didn't think he'd been getting much rest.

As she pulled into the parking lot at Rampart, she smiled widely as she saw a rare empty spot near the emergency room doors. She pulled in and carefully woke her friend, mindful of all the bandages on his arms and chest. He didn't refuse her aid as she helped him stand and she felt him lean on her as they made their way to the doors. Once inside, she pushed him carefully into one of the waiting room chairs, pausing only to see him sprawl out, his head back, long legs stretched before him then turned and hurried toward the nurse's desk. She was really worried now; since telling her about his accident, he hadn't spoken another word and his eyes, when he'd opened them, had been fever bright and slightly glassy.

Spying Dixie at the podium, she hurried over. "Dixie, I just brought in Johnny."

Dixie looked up with a smile, "Oh. Hi, JoAnne. Good. He's on time. Kel is in a meeting right now but I've got room 4 all prepped for him." She picked up the phone, punched several numbers and waited then requested a page for Dr. Brackett and hung up.

Dixie grabbed the chart and said, "Let's get you into 4, young man." She motioned toward the room then looked past the woman, expecting to see Johnny behind her. She frowned then Jo's voice caught her attention again. "Dixie, he's running quite a high fever. He spoke with me right after I got him into the car but hasn't said a word since. And I barely got him in here by myself; he seems weaker than when we left."

Dixie looked at the woman as she motioned for an orderly with an empty wheelchair. "Where is he, Jo?" Jo took them back over to where Johnny sprawled in the chair, his eyes barely cracked open but definitely not aware. She knelt before the ill firefighter, one hand on the side of his neck taking a pulse even while she gently shook him. "Johnny? Johnny?" He exhaled in a faint moan but his eyes opened more and he struggled to focus on her.

"Dixie . . ." He whispered and she smiled, brushing the hair off his forehead as she laid the back of her hand against it.

"Hello there phoenix. Can you get up for me? Your express to the doctor's awaits." She told him as she motioned the orderly closer. Johnny gave a faint nod and made an effort to sit up but failed. Dixie immediately grabbed him under one arm and the orderly the other. Together they got him into the wheelchair. Dix ordered, "Treatment 4." The orderly nodded and took off while Dix walked rapidly back toward her desk and grabbed up his chart. As she turned to head back into the room, she nearly ran into Jo who had shadowed them, her lip between her teeth and worry plain on her face.

"Dixie?" She asked and Dixie laid a gentle hand on her arm. "I'll let you know as soon as Kel checks him out, Jo. Thanks so much for getting him in here."

Jo gave a shrug, "How could I not help him? It's Johnny." She said then looked over her shoulder, "I guess I'll wait here." Dix smiled at her, "Go to the lounge, Jo, and have some coffee. It will probably be awhile."

Jo gave a weak smile, "That's ok; I've got nothing but time. I already told Johnny I'm his for the day. Whatever he needs." She turned and walked slowly toward the lounge. As Dix pushed open the door to treatment 4, she couldn't help but compare Jo's current actions to the way Roy had been acting lately. 'Well Lina, looks like once again, you are right. And JoAnne DeSoto definitely cares about Johnny.'

Dixie pushed into the room and looked where the orderly had gotten Johnny up on the exam table. The paramedic sat in the middle, legs hanging down with his upper body hunched over, his head down on his chest. The orderly stood next to him, a supporting arm around his shoulders. He looked up at the nurse, "I got him up here Ms. McCall, and then he just went limp. I was afraid to leave him so I just figured we'd wait for you."

She smiled, "That's perfect, George. Help me get these shirts off him." The orderly nodded. Dixie could see Johnny's eyes had cracked open again so she talked to him, "You know, Johnny, this is different. For once I'm pulling your clothes off you intact instead of cutting them off you." Johnny huffed slightly and Dixie realized he'd tried to laugh. Once his shirts were off, they laid him gently back onto the table and George made short work over removing his pants as well, and covered the man with a sheet, then noticing him shivering, covered him with a blanket as well. Dixie had pulled out a thermometer and had placed it in Johnny's mouth and now had a BP cuff wrapped around his arm.

"You need me to stick around, Ms. McCall?" George asked. Dixie shook her head. "No. Oh and George, would you tell Betsy to come in here? Thanks." George nodded, patted Johnny's knee with a, "Later Gage," then he left. Soon the door opened again and Betsy came in. She looked at the patient then at Dixie, "I didn't hear anyone from 51 call in at the base station?"

"Johnny wasn't working today." Dixie offered then added, "Pulse is 110, BP 106/68. Respirations 28." Betsy marked the items on the chart as Dixie pulled out the thermometer and frowned. "temp's 102.7" Betsy scribbled that down as Dix said, "Betsy, stay with him," and left. In a few heartbeats, she returned, a frowning Dr. Brackett right behind her. "Johnny, you told me you had 'a little fever'"

Johnny cracked open his eyes and moved his lips. Dr. Brackett moved closer as Johnny swallowed then tried again, "It was. This morning."

Kel nodded as he began pulling away bandages, checking the wounds beneath. "Dix, draw some blood, I think our boy here has started an infection somewhere." He leaned back over Johnny and looked him straight in the face. "Johnny? Can you help me out any here?"

Johnny weakly raised his left hand to his head. "My . . .my head . . .feels . . ."

Brackett examined the cuts on Johnny's cheek and neck, then paused as he touched the right side of Johnny's face and Johnny gave a cry and pulled away. Dix and Kel exchanged looks and without a word Dix handed Kel an otoscope. Kel leaned closer, touching Johnny's ear. Johnny whimpered and pulled weakly away.

"Bingo!" Kel muttered, then louder he said, "Johnny, I think your ear is infected but you have to let me look in it, all right?"

"'Kay."

Johnny's body stiffened as Kel gently began his exam. When he looked back up at Dix, his mouth twitched. "Well, it's definitely infected. Let's check the rest of those wounds just to make sure everything else is healing." He scribbled the lab requests on the sheet Betsy gave him and she took them, as well as the vials of drawn blood, off to the lab. Once he'd checked everything over, Brackett told the paramedic, "Johnny. I'm going to put you on another antibiotic. This one doesn't seem to be working."

"Good." Johnny mumbled, "made me sick."

Kel glanced at Dix then turned back to Johnny, "Are you telling me you haven't been eating?"

Johnny sighed heavily, "Tried, Doc. Stuff upset my stomach."

Kel's mouth twitched more. "You're probably dehydrated too. I bet if I sat you up right now and took your BP it'd plummet."

Johnny gave a faint nod, "Pr'bably. Don't try."

Kel grinned slightly and patted Johnny's knee. "Dix, you want to start an IV? I think our young friend here is about a quart low." He pulled a vial out of the cabinet, read the label and handed it to the nurse. "Give him 2cc of this too and some Tylenol for that fever." He turned back to Johnny. "Other than the ear, everything else looks good, Johnny. I'd like to admit you for the night though, just to make sure your fever goes down."

At this Johnny opened his eyes wide and pushed himself upward. "No. I won't stay. I . . I can't."

Both Kel and Dixie moved quickly forward, eager to prevent him from getting up. As predicted, when he sat up quickly what little color Johnny had to his face drained away. His eyes rolled back and he pitched forward. Fortunately, he fell straight into Kel's arms. Gently the nurse and doctor laid their friend back on the table and to their relief saw Johnny was already coming back around.

"You see, Johnny?" Kel chided him, "Just as I said. Dix, call upstairs and find him a room."

Johnny shook his head, wincing at the pain the motion caused. He looked up at them and again stated, "No. I won't stay. I'll . . .I'll refuse treatment."

Kel frowned, "Johnny, I don't think . . ."

"No!" Johnny's voice was almost shrill. Kel and Dix exchanged looks, they could see he was breathing harder. Without checking both knew his pulse rate and BP would be climbing. Kel's mouth twitched but he laid a calming hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Alright. Just calm down. You finish that IV and . . .and we'll discuss it, ok?"

Johnny allowed himself to relax. His head hurt, his hand was throbbing, he just hurt all over. The only thing he wanted was to go home, crawl back into his bed and become oblivious. "Kay" he muttered tiredly. Soon his eyes began to droop and then closed.

Kel exchanged a worried look with Dix before he left. Dixie sighed as she carefully took Johnny's right arm in hers, searched it for a suitable site then placed it gently on at his side before picking up his left. Finally, she palpated the median basilic vein on his upper arm, safely away from any stitched or cut areas. She applied the tourniquet, praying he wasn't so dehydrated she wouldn't get a stick, held her breath and plunged the needle in. Johnny flinched but didn't wake and the flash in the chamber told her she'd been successful. She attached the bag, started the drip with the added meds and let her breath out in another sigh. She smiled softly at the sleeping man before her, her hand going to move his sweat dampened hair from his closed eyes, "What are we going to do with you, my little phoenix? Just what are we going to do with you?"

Dixie walked slowly out of the room and over to the desk where Kel wrote busily in a chart. He looked up at her and she answered the question in his eyes. "He's sleeping now. The IV is set and the antibiotic is on board." He nodded stiffly, sighed heavily and snapped the chart shut. She laid a hand on him, "Kel?"

"I know; I'm worried too, Dix." He clicked his pen closed and jammed it into his pocket. "I don't know about you, but I need a cup of coffee." Dix nodded in agreement and the two headed for the lounge. Dix sat down at the table closest to the coffee while Kel filled two mugs.

"I don't understand it, Kel." She continued. "He's always been skittish of staying in the hospital but this . . . Kel, he was almost panicked!"

Kel looked over where his Head Nurse braced her worried face in her hand, elbow on the table and nodded in agreement. "I know. I was afraid to try and push the issue. If I had to sedate him it would only make things worse. And in his condition, it certainly wouldn't have been good."

They sipped at their coffee in silence for several moments then Dixie murmured, "I wonder . . ."

Brackett looked up, his facial expression inviting her to continue so she did. "Kel, do you think that all the strain he's been under lately, what with the way Roy has been treating him that maybe he feels uncomfortable here?"

Kel shrugged, "I'm not psychologist, Dix but I guess it's possible. That and the fact he was just here and was basically helpless could have something to do with it." He snickered slightly, "We both know how Johnny hates to feel helpless."

Dixie agreed as she sipped her drink. For several moments both were silent again, then Dixie sighed heavily. "Kel, what are you going to do? I mean, sure, he's asleep now but he'll soon wake up and he'll again insist he leaves."

Brackett sighed as well and shoved at his cup, "I know. As I said, I could sedate him and force him to stay but I doubt that would be ultimately in his best interests." He rubbed tiredly at his forehead, "Plus there's that flu sweeping through the hospital right now; I'm worried over exposing him to anything else. His system couldn't handle that on top of everything else."

"But if he leaves here, Kel . . ."

Again he sighed, "I know. I'm afraid of what would happen then as well. He's a very sick young man. He's no where near recovered from his injuries or the surgery yet. Top that off with the weight loss, well, when he said the medicines had been making him sick again." He took another drink and set his cup forcefully down on the table, "He can't afford to lose anymore weight, not now."

"I'm afraid if he leaves here, he'll close himself off completely. And then . . ." She didn't have to say what both were thinking.

The two worried medico's were unaware their actions and conversation had been carefully observed and absorbed by another. JoAnne DeSoto listened closely, her heart in her throat as she listened both to what was said and unsaid about her friend.

Hesitantly but with steel-like determination she finally stepped forward. "Excuse me, Dr. Brackett."

Both personal turned surprised faces at the petite woman. "JoAnne! I'm sorry, I forgot you were still here." Dixie exclaimed then turning to the doctor explained, "Jo brought Johnny in this morning, Kel."

JoAnne stepped closer, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I couldn't help but overhear you." She paused as she bit her lip, "About Johnny."

Kel nodded.

"He's really sick."

Kel sighed, "Very sick."

She moved closer still and suddenly Kel jumped up and pulled out a chair for the woman. She sat with a quick smile then moved intently forward. "Please, forgive me, but I'm coming in on this a little late. I didn't even know Johnny was hurt until I arrived at his ranch. Could you sorta fill me in, catch me up, so to speak?"

Kel and Dixie exchanged glances and JoAnne's face hardened, "Look. I know that something happened between Johnny and Roy and I even think I know what started it all. I've been seeing it for the last three weeks at home and I could tell you stories about that as well. This is Johnny's welfare we are talking about and you'd better be damned sure I am concerned." She looked back and forth between the two, seeing the still hesitant expressions. "Alright, let's try this." That said, she began telling the two exactly what happened that first day when they returned from their trip and then Roy's actions over the next weeks. When she was done, both Kel and Dixie again exchanged looks.

"Just like you thought, Dix." Kel mused.

Jo looked at them and Dixie supplied, "I suspected it somehow started when Johnny took care of Jenny but we weren't sure. I don't think Johnny even knew for sure."

Jo looked down at her now cold coffee, "Oh, he knew." She remembered the look on Johnny's face when Roy had all but thrown him out of their house after his brutal interrogation over Jenny's injuries. "But I think he was so stunned at how fast . . . how

sudden and how . . ."

"Cruel?" Dixie breathed and Jo gave a sad nod as she finished, "cruelly his so called friend turned on him." She looked at the doctor then the nurse and then said, "I understand that as Roy's boss and more importantly as Johnny's doctor, you are restricted in what you feel you can say." She watched as they nodded then she finished, "Think of us, right now, as three very concerned friends, of both Johnny and Roy. Tell me and then I'll tell you how I think we can solve the problem of Johnny's future care."

The two hospital personal nodded and then Dixie began to speak. She told about what she'd seen while they'd been at the hospital and what had happened in the treatment room the day Johnny was brought in. When she was done, Brackett discussed Johnny's injuries and how he'd signed himself out of the hospital and his worry over what would happen to the young paramedic now.

Jo had tears in her eyes as she listened carefully. She took a tissue from her purse and turned away for a few moments as she gathered herself. Then, to the two medical personal's surprise she faced them with a bright smile. "I have the perfect solution. Johnny will come home with me and I'LL take care of him."

After the initial shock wore off, they questioned her about his care and she insisted she could care for him. "I'm a mother, Dr. Brackett, I've taken care of sick children and a sick fireman on numerous occasions. And remember, this isn't the first time Johnny has been there either. Plus Jenny will help with her Uncle."

Kel and Dix exchange looks. They all talked more, discussing the problems that had seemed to plague the dynamic duo. Finally Dixie gave a hesitant smile, "This could be the solution to the problem. One way or another. And I can check in every once in a while as well."

JoAnne smiled brightly, "Of course!" Both women looked at the physician. "Dr. Brackett?" Jo questioned with trepidation.

"Kel?"

Brackett sighed and his mouth twitched, then he looked up at the two. "Well, it's not the best of ideas and I really wish there was another solution."

"But?" Dixie pushed.

He gave a faint grin, "But it might work, it just might work."