Roy looked up from where he was checking the ice bottles to where Marco led the attendants in, pulling a gurney behind them. They stopped outside of the room, seeing there were already so many people within, a little at a loss on what to do. Roy, however, took charge, having Marco bring the gurney closer and directing as Chet and he set it up. He smiled to himself as his shiftmates positioned themselves around Johnny, ready to make the transfer. Johnny moved his head and groaned, his eyes opening as he felt hands shoved under his body. He blinked blurry eyed at Mike Stoker, who was crouched at his shoulder. "Where'r we goin'?"

Mike smiled at his friend, "To Rampart. Dr. Brackett has requested your presence."

"Oh." Johnny replied, then looked panicked. "Mike! I can't go!" His eyes were wide with alarm but he kept his voice low. Unfortunately it wasn't so low that his shiftmates couldn't hear him. Worried, they glanced at each other then back at him. Mike tried to smile soothingly, "Just relax Johnny. It's alright."

Johnny shook his head frantically and tried to move away but didn't have the strength. "No!" He whispered, "No 'snot ok. Mike. NO! Can't go an'wh're. S'mb'dy stol' m' clothes!"

At that the four men felt instant relief. "twit." Cap muttered under his breath.

Mike shook his head at the way his friend was thinking. He smiled and made his soft voice as soothing as possible. "That's alright Johnny. Now Dixie won't have to cut them off."

"Oh." Johnny considered that for a moment, then the frown came back and he blinked his wide brown eyes, "But 'm naked!"

Now Mike chuckled. He pulled one hand out to pat his co-worker's shoulder conciliatorily. "Don't worry Johnny. We'll keep the sheet over you."

"Oh." He looked down. "'Kay." He settled back, his eyes closing again. "Hope Jo don' get mad. 's her good sheets."

Marco looked up at Roy, amusement warring with concern. "Man, he's really out of it."

Roy nodded as he took his place near Johnny's head. Brown eyes slit open and Johnny's mouth curved slightly. "Hey, Roy. You gon' see Bracket too?" Roy smiled down on his friend, and gave the dark head a gentle pant. "Yeah, Johnny. I'll be right beside you all the way." Johnny's eyes slid shut and his head lolled to one side. Roy looked up at his friends. "Ready? On my count, one-two-three lift!" As one the firefighters lifted their friend's body and transferred him onto the gurney, tucking the sheet carefully around him then the bottles were positioned next to him once more. Johnny's eyes remained closed and the limpness of his body told them he was again out. Roy checked him over quickly then nodded to his shiftmates. They wheeled Johnny out of the room, Jo following in their wake.

As Roy moved to get into the ambulance, one of the attendants grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry sir. You can't ride back here. Company policy." Then he looked around, bewilderment on his face. "Hey. This guy's got an IV. Where's the paramedic?"

"'m par'medic." Johnny murmured, his head moving slightly but his eyes remained closed. The attendant looked at him with a frown then at the four guys in jeans and casual shirts in front of him.

"Well, he is a paramedic but . . ." Cap began. But the frowning attendant cut him off. "I'm not kidding here. We can't transport a guy with an IV without a paramedic unless we get cleared for it from the hospital."

Roy held the IV higher and pushed past the interfering man. "We're wasting time. I'm an off duty paramedic and I have permission from Dr. Brackett to accompany this patient to Rampart. Now let's get moving." Holding the IV carefully so as to not put too much tension on it in Johnny's arm, Roy crawled into the back of the ambulance. After he had, the three firefighters lifted the gurney and slid it into place. Cap looked at Roy. "You'll let us know . . ."

Roy nodded, "I'll call as soon as they tell me anything." With that, the door was firmly shut and two slaps told the drive it was safe to pull out. Roy hung the IV on the hook and began checking Johnny over. The attendant watched him then broke in, "I'm sorry, man. I was just doing my job."

Roy nodded, "You got O2 in here?" At the other man's nod, he continued, "Get some on him, non-rebreather - 6 liters."

As the man placed the mask over Johnny's face, brown eyes blinked open. "I was a paramedic. And he was my partner." He said.

Roy smiled. "Hey Johnny. Just take it easy. We'll be at Rampart soon and Brackett'll fix you right up." Then he realized what Johnny had said and his smile faded, "Johnny, you still are a paramedic."

Brown eyed gazed at him sadly, "Are you sure?"

Roy blinked, not sure what Johnny meant. "Johnny, just because I acted so asinine and wouldn't let you function doesn't . . ."

Johnny shook his head, and cut him off with, "No Roy. That's not what I mean."

He closed his eyes, panting a little under the mask. Roy leaned closer, laying a comforting hand on his bare shoulder. Brown eyes opened back up and stared at him. Roy could see that at least this time, Johnny was lucid. "I mean Roy, I . . .I've seen my hands. We both know . . . . this infection can't be good."

He didn't need to say any more. Both men knew exactly what he was talking about. Roy shook his head, opening his mouth to deny what Johnny had insinuated but again Johnny cut him off. With a sad smile he softly said, "And, about . . . that other thing . . . Roy, I forgive you. I can't pro. . . promise I'll for. . .forget as well, but . . .I forgive. . .uhh"

Johnny's voice faded off as his eyes rolled and then closed, his body relaxing into the gurney's padding

Roy lunged forward, his voice sharp with alarm. "no, Johnny. I don't want your forgiveness. No, not like this." Roy felt anger fill him as well as fear. His fingers searched his friend's hot neck, the pulse beneath his fingers was fast but steady. He looked up at the attendant, "How far?"

The man looked out the front of the ambulance, "About 6 minutes."

Roy turned his attention back to his patient. He bent close to Johnny's ear and whispered urgently. "Hang in there Junior. Remember, you promised to try." He checked the ice bottles again, as well as the drip on the IV, then rechecked Johnny's vital signs. Just as he finished, he felt the ambulance slow then reverse.

The wheels had barely stopped before the doors were pulled open, revealing both Dr. Brackett and Dr. Early standing there. "Any change, Roy?' Brackett barked as the two attendants pulled out the gurney. He immediately laid a hand on the ill paramedic's head, feeling the heat coming from the younger man.

"He's been in and out. His pulse is still fast, around 120, respirations 24." Roy answered as the group headed into Rampart. Roy helped the two lift Johnny and place him on the exam table. The attendants then took the gurney and left. Missy moved the ice bottles out of the way as Brackett stepped forward.

"Roy get me another set of vitals." Brackett ordered as he pulled open Johnny's eyes and looked at them. Then he lifted the cast right hand, his face twitching as he saw what his paramedic had described.

"Joe. You're needed at the base station." Dixie's voice came as she pushed open the door. Joe Early looked at his co-worker and a quick silent communication took place before the other doctor left. "Kel, Ken Bentley is here." She moved to the head of the table and reached out a hand to feel Johnny's hot forehead.

Johnny moved his head and mumbled, " Kata, kata. Ide. " She looked at Roy who was frowning, "Uhhh, Ide is burning. I'm not sure what kata is." Roy translated. Dixie stroked his cheek. "I know you're hot, Johnny. We're going to fix that." Johnny moved his head closer to the soothing hand on his face and whimpered, "Kata." He licked his dry lips and asked, "Mini?"

Roy frowned, "I think you're right; I think kata might be hot. I know mini is water." Dixie nodded as she continued to sooth the fevered man.

All heads turned as the doors pushed forcefully open and Ken Bentley strode into the room.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" he looked over at Roy, "When I said I wanted to see you both today or tomorrow, this was not what I meant!"

Roy gave a weak grin. "Ken, look at this." Brackett demanded. Ken came forward, inspecting the cast hand. He frowned, turned it carefully, his frown getting deeper. "Well, it looks like Batman there just might be right." He looked up to the other nurse, and motioned toward the cast saw as he slipped the mask hanging from his neck over his face. He carefully propped the injured arm up in the prepared place, nodded to Dixie who, masked and gloved herself, held Johnny's arm still. Brackett and Missy moved back out of the way. Bentley saw Johnny move his leg and looked over toward the horizontal paramedic's head. "Johnny, I'm gonna remove this cast. I don't want you to move at all, ok? I've got to see what's going on under here." He looked up at Dix. "I'll be wanting an x-ray once this is off."

"We have the machine standing by."

With one last nod, he began cutting the cast away. Once a slit was made down the length, he carefully moved Johnny's arm and cut the opposite side. Then he handed Missy back the saw and he grabbed the scissors she handed him. He pulled the edges of the cast apart, revealing the soaked wrappings underneath. The smell of corrosion increased in the room and Roy felt his stomach turn. Bentley cut the wrappings away, revealing the surgical site for the first time in a week. The area was angry red, swollen with dark edges of dead tissue. Fluids oozed from the site.

Roy turned his face from the sight as he gagged. He'd seen nasty wounds before and Johnny's hand looked bad. His breath caught in his throat as suddenly another thought occurred. Surgery. They would have to do surgery now. Johnny was too weak. Suddenly he wasn't afraid of Johnny maybe losing his hand, he was afraid of him losing his life!

"Ken?" Brackett's worried voice came.

Bentley looked up, shaking his head sadly. "I don't know Kel. Let's get an x-ray, then get him ready for surgery. I'll know more once I can get in there and clean that mess up."

He gently laid the hand down and looked up at Roy's pale face then over at his patient. Johnny's fever bright eyes watched every move. Bentley removed the mask from his face and he gave the young paramedic a small smile. "Let me see how the healing is going and then I'll go in, clean it out, and put in a drainage tube."

"It's bad?" Johnny's question was more of a statement. Ken nodded slowly. "It's not good, Johnny. We'll get you on different antibiotics right now and get you ready for surgery. I'll know more once I get in there."

Johnny blinked slowly and he whispered, "I'm gonna lose my hand . . .?"

"Not if we can help it, hose jockey." Brackett came forward now, his lips turned up in a faint smile.

Ken nodded, "That's right. I've already got you listed under my successes and I don't plan on moving you." He smiled and squeezed the younger man's shoulder, "Beside, what would I say to Miss Jenny if I didn't do right by her Uncle Johnny."

Johnny gave the expected smile and faint nod. Bentley became serious once more. "Johnny, I'm gonna keep you sedated for a day or so after surgery. I don't want you moving that arm around at all. I'll be rigging up a restraint for it too. Ok?"

Johnny nodded and the two doctors left, their heads together and voices low as they conversed. Johnny watched them leave then took a deep breath and Roy's heart spasmed when it hitched suddenly halfway. Johnny looked over into his partner's face and tried to smile. Roy stepped forward. "Oh Johnny."

"You might have to break in a new partner after all." he said softly. Roy shook his head, "No, Johnny." His voice angry. "Don't you even think that way. You just get better, that's all you have to do. You hear me? You just get better!"

Johnny looked up into the ceiling, his tearing eyes blinking slowly, "It might not be up to me, Roy."

Dixie came forward and placed her hands on Roy's shoulders. "Roy, you'll have to leave. X-ray is here then we'll be prepping him and taking him on up." She pushed him toward the door, saying, "The rest of the guys are waiting in the lobby."

Roy nodded, he wasn't surprised that they'd followed them in anyway. He suspected they would. Roy stopped and reached out to lay a hand on Johnny's knee. "Johnny . . ."

Johnny looked at him, his brown eyes filled with tears but holding a firm resolve. "I'll see you later, Roy."

Not knowing what else to say, Roy only nodded and left. The x-ray machine pushed in past him and head down, he headed toward the lobby.

Once Roy was gone and while the x-ray tech was setting up, Johnny looked up at Dixie. "Dixie? Do me a favor?"

She leaned forward so only he could hear her, and smoothed his hair off his forehead. "For you phoenix, just about anything."

He smiled, "Could you see if Fred Ross is on tonight?"

Dixie frowned first then nodded with a smile, "I think he is. Do you want to see him?"

Johnny nodded. The x-ray tech looked up. "I'm ready now."

"Make sure you're really careful with that hand. Don't move it any more than absolutely necessary." Dixie cautioned.

He smiled, "Don't worry, Miss Dixie. Both Brackett and Bentley were very specific in their directions." He smiled at the man on the table. "Hiya Gage, ready to glow?"

Johnny grinned faintly, "You do realize, Crispen, that in my tongue 'Hiya' means 'no'." Crispen laughed as he situated the plates then pulled up the machine. "ok, Gage ya got me there."

Dixie patted his leg and said, "I'll see you in a little while, Johnny. I'll go have Father Ross paged." Then when the x-ray tech's back was turned, she dropped a quick kiss onto his hot cheek, and left.

As Roy approached the lounge, he saw Dr. Bentley and Brackett leaving. He watched them stride off down the hall, then leaned against the doorframe, head bowed, for several moments before pushing on through. Immediately, four heads came up. Jo stood and walked quickly to her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Brackett and the other surgeon were just in here." Cap said, his eyes closely inspecting his paramedic. "They said they were taking John to surgery."

Roy nodded, knowing they were waiting for him to talk, worried that perhaps he knew something the doctors didn't tell them. Finally he got his mouth to work. "Yeah. Dr. Bentley ordered x-rays. They're doing that now. He said he'd need to get in there and see the damage before he could really say. . . " His voice choked off as he then turned to his wife. The other men looked downward.

"Roy," his wife's soft voice sounded strangely loud in the still room. "Johnny's hand. He's . . .he's not going to lose . . " She couldn't bare to finish the sentence even though everyone in the room was thinking the same thing.

Roy shrugged, "I don't know. I don't think they know. But if it comes down to a choice between his hand or his life . . ."

Shocked exchanges were exchanged around the room, "How'd it get this bad and no one know!" Marco burst out.

Roy took a deep breath, "Doc said the antibiotics he was on for his ear helped mask the infection. That and the fact it was under the cast where no one could see it. . ." He looked around. "Doc said the blood they drew yesterday showed his white count was very high and that he was very anemic. That got Brackett wondering and he was gonna call and have me bring Johnny in for further tests." He shrugged and stared at his hands.

"Is it safe for him to have surgery right now?" Jo asked.

Again Roy shrugged. "With any surgery there is always a risk, but now? As weak as he is. . ." He held his wife close as he murmured, "He's so sick, Jo, he's so very sick right now. His fever is as high as when he had that virus. I'm afraid . . . I'm afraid this time . . .he's too weak . . . ."

She held him tightly, tears streaming silently from her eyes. For several long moments the five worried friends remained still, silent prayers on their lips. Then Marco stood up, a grim expression on his face. "I've got to call Chet . . .and Mama. They need to know."

Mike nodded as he stood too, "I'd better let Becky know what we found out." He walked closer to the embracing couple, "Don't worry about Jenny. I'm sure Becky will take care of her."

Jo pulled away from her husband, her eyes wide. "Jenny! I forgot about Jenny! She'll be back from the movies soon. What do we tell her?"

Roy gave a faint shrug, "We have no choice; we have to tell her the truth. " He sighed and hugged his wife again as he saw her face crumble. "We'll tell her that we took Johnny in so that the doctor could look at his hand and they decided to keep him here for awhile." He kissed her cheek. "Hopefully. Hopefully that's all we'll have to say."

She nodded and turned to leave with Mike so that Becky could be informed. Cap looked his paramedic over carefully. "This is really bad isn't it."

Roy nodded.

"And he really could lose the hand."

Again Roy nodded, then scrubbed his face with one hand, "It looked bad, Cap. They may not have any choice. If the infection is in his bones or in his bloodstream . . ." Again he dropped his head, "They may have no choice."

Cap placed his hand on Roy's shoulder as the senior paramedic continued, "Bentley told Johnny that he'd be keeping him sedated after surgery and they'll be immobilizing his arm."

"So, John . . .?"

Blue eyes looked up into the dark ones of his captain as a sardonic smirk twisted Roy's lips. "Yeah. At that point Johnny was completely lucid. He knows."

Cap patted his shoulder, "Keep the faith, Roy. Don't sell him short. He could just come through this perfectly fine. The main thing is that we are all here to help him; no matter the outcome."

Part of Roy wanted to argue with his captain, to scream and shout, 'Don't you understand? The chances are he'll either be crippled or dead! Not very good odds there Cap.' but he remained silent as his captain left the room.

Slowly he began moving, drawn back to the room where he knew his young partner lay. Johnny's words in the ambulance echoing in his ears. He frowned as he muttered, 'No, John Gage. You ARE a paramedic and you ARE my partner. You'll be back next to me in that squad. I refuse to think about it any other way.'

"Well positive thinking has it's place but so does reality." A gentle voice chastised him and he turned suddenly to look up at a tall man in a black suit with a white clerical collar. Roy was startled, he hadn't even realized he'd said the words out loud.

The kindly grey eyes in the weathered face sparkled with life and slight amusement. He pushed forward a little more and let the door behind him close, the door Roy realized was to Johnny's exam room. Roy watched, eyes wide and his face pale as the priest removed the stole from around his neck, kissed the cross on it then carefully folded it up and placed it into the case he carried, right next to several small vials. What color was in Roy's face faded even more as his thoughts raced. 'A priest. They called for a priest. There's only one reason they call for a priest in the hospital'

His eyes went back to the door as he whispered, "Johnny." Just then the door opened and two orderlies pushed a gurney out. Johnny lay on the gurney, eyes closed, body still. Roy moved forward, his hands reaching to check for a pulse as he asked, "Where are you taking him!?"

"They're taking him up to surgery now, Roy." Dixie's gentle voice told him as he felt her hands on his shoulders. "You can see him once he's out. Why don't you go to the lounge, I'll come tell you when he's in recovery." As she spoke she and the priest began moving him away while the orderlies moved Johnny over to the elevator. Roy's gaze never left his partner's slack face until the elevator doors closed.

He looked around, noticing he was now entering the lounge as the two continued to propel him forward. They sat him down in a chair and a hot mug of coffee filled his hands. "Drink." The nurse ordered.

Roy sipped then looked up at her, "You'll get me as soon . . ."

She nodded and smiled as she patted his shoulder, "You know I will." She exchanged glances with the priest then left. Roy continued to sip the coffee his mind numb.

"So, Roy DeSoto isn't it?" The deep voice next to him startled him and Roy looked over at the other man. "Uh, yeah. That's me."

The priest nodded, "I'm Father Ross. Do you remember me?"

Roy started to shake his head then paused, "Uh, yeah. Yeah I think I do. You came to Bob Schultz's house after . . ."

Father Ross nodded as he sipped his own coffee. "Yes. And you know that Andrew is almost fully healed now. You'd never know he was injured by looking at him."

Roy faked a smile, "I'm glad." He murmured but his eyes went again to the closed door. "How do you know him?"

"You mean John Gage? I know him from here at the hospital. I'm one of the regular chaplains and we've talked a time or two when he's been in here. He also helps out up in Peds."

Quiet reigned for several moments then Father Ross asked. "I take it you know John as well."

Roy nodded. "He's my paramedic partner."

Father Ross's eyebrows went up, "Well! This certainly is a small world. I knew about you from Bob but I didn't realize you were the same Roy Johnny talked about."

Roy's shoulder's slumped as he gazed down into the coffee. "I guess you know then about how awfully I've treated him."

Father Ross watched him, his voice even as he answered, "Well now. You know I can't say anything about what was said in confidence but I can tell you that on the times we did talk, he had nothing but glowing words about you."

Roy snorted before he took a longer drink. "Then you haven't talked to him lately."

Father Ross set his cup down and moved a little closer to the younger man before him. "Well then. Suppose you tell me."

Suddenly, it was as if a dam burst and all the things Roy'd done over the last month to his friends and especially to Johnny rushed out. Finally Roy was all talked out and exhausted. With trembling hands he drank what was left in his cup and waited to hear what his sentence would be.

Father Ross sat back. "I see. And yes, that's a lot for any soul to bare."

Roy looked down where his hands twisted tightly. "I don't want to lose him. He's important to me."

"Roy, if you don't mind me saying . . ."

Roy gave the priest a faint smile, "Well considering I basically just turned this into a confessional, I think you can say just about anything."

Father Ross chuckled, "Alright then." Then his expression turned serious, "Roy, I know this might be hard, but I think you have to look at this from Johnny's point of view."

Roy was confused now and it showed on his face.

Father Ross continued, "Johnny called me here because he knows he might not make it through the surgery or beyond." When Roy's mouth dropped open and he began to protest, Father Ross held up a hand saying, "Now Roy, just listen a moment. We both know any surgery has risks."

Roy gave a reluctant nod.

"And the fact that Johnny is going in there already weakened only makes the risks greater."

Roy sighed and gave a weary nod.

"Now Johnny has gone through a lot this last month too. And before he went under the knife, so to speak, he wanted to get some things straight. Sorta clean the slate as it were."

Roy put his head in his hands. "He called for Last Rites."

To Roy's surprise Father Ross shook his head, "No, Roy. He called for Extreme Uncation."

At that Roy looked up, "Anointing of the Sick?"

Father Ross nodded. Roy blinked, "I thought . . . he said . . .."

Father Ross laid his hand on Roy's shoulder, "He knows that right now his life is in danger but Roy, he hasn't given up. And I think you do him a grave disservice if you do." Seeing he had the other man's complete attention, Father Ross continued, "Johnny wanted to go into the surgery free from any 'bad vibes', to borrow a phrase the young people of today use. That's why he said what he did to you. And he has forgiven you because it frees himself." He shook a finger at him, "But, that doesn't mean he's forgotten or that everything will be all roses and hearts between you now. You've both still got a long way to go before this sad part of your journey is ended. But Johnny has willingly taken his first step onto this path."

Roy allowed what the priest said to sink in, knowing it was right. Seeing the look in Roy's eyes, the priest pushed further. "Now. It's your turn. You have to forgive Johnny and forgive yourself. It's only then that true healing can come to all of you."

Roy shook his head and this time Father Ross' voice was a little gruff.

"Roy, you are still doing it. You are still trying to control what Johnny is feeling and doing." Roy blinked in surprise and Father Ross gave a faint smile, "It's time to let go, Roy, over the things you never could control. Johnny has, now it's your turn." He placed gentle hands on the paramedic's shoulders and applied pressure, "Roy, none of us are really ever in control. To use another phrase from the youth of today, it's time to let go and let God. Believe me, He's more that capable of handling everything and He knows exactly what to do. You only need to be Johnny's friend, no matter what happens." he looked deeply into the blue eyes. "And I think you can do that, don't you?"

For the first time in weeks, Roy felt a peace flow over him as he smiled, "Yeah. Yeah I think I can do that.

It seemed like days had passed to the five worried people sitting in the lounge even though the clock moved achingly slowly. Nurses came into the lounge, most stopping in surprise at the five pairs of expectant eyes looking at them. Some turned and quickly left again with apologetic shrugs. Others ignored the small group, came in, got what they wanted and found a corner not occupied to talk or eat or just sit. After awhile, they'd leave and the small group would return to their clock watching.

Finally when that lying clock told them that nearly three hours had passed, the door pushed open again and Dixie stepped into the room. Immediately all five people sprang to their feet.

Dixie smiled at them as she made her way to the coffee pot, She told them as poured herself a cup. "Someone came by and said you guys must have been filling it and it was the best they'd had." She sipped it as she sat at the table near the couch. "Pretty good."

Roy moved closer. "Dix . . . Johnny?"

She smiled at him, "Kel called down. Johnny's out of surgery and they've been watching him in recovery. They're getting ready to send him up to SICU as soon as he shows he's coming out of the anesthesia. He and Dr. Bentley will be joining us soon."

"How . . . John's hand. How bad was it?" Cap found the words coming out of his mouth even as he thought them.

"I think I can answer that." A new deep voice said. All eyes turned as the two doctors entered the room. "Oooooh, coffee." Ken said. Dixie raised her cup. "Firehouse coffee and it's pretty good too."

Mike blushed alittle as the others looked at him. The two doctors filled their cups, offered the pot to the others who all shook their heads. Over the last three hours they had drank their fill. Knowing that these friends were anxious to hear about their wounded comrade, the two doctors turned and faced their audience.

"Johnny's doing well, coming out of the anesthesia and will be sent up to SICU soon." Brackett started and even as Roy opened his mouth, he added, "I already plan on leaving orders that you can stay with him, Roy. You others will have to stick to the rules of SICU-visits of no more than ten minutes on the stated hours."

"Doc, the infection . .. Johnny's hand . . ." Roy didn't seem to be able to make complete sentences. The two doctors exchange looks and the five people before them felt their hearts fall. "no," Roy whispered as his wife grabbed him, her face white.

Ken Bentley raised his hand up in a 'wait' motion, "Now, don't jump ahead. The infection was bad. But I've seen worse. The good news is it doesn't appear to have gotten into the bones or into his bloodstream. I don't have to tell you how bad that could have been." The three firemen didn't know but the look of slight relief on their paramedic's face and his slight nod was enough to assure them that was a good thing.

"The surgeries for the reconnections looked good. The healing was a little slow for a week after but the affected tendons are still attached and showing healing." Bentley went on to say.

"And the bad news?" Marco found himself saying and immediately started a silent prayer.

Bentley looked at them and sighed, "The bad news is it is badly infected. I had to take more tissue then I wanted too. But I wanted to give him as much of a chance to get over this as I could. As far as will he lose the hand? I will try everything I can to prevent that. Will he have full use of the hand? That is yet to be seen. First he needs to get over this infection. Then more x-rays will need to be taken to check on the healing and then he'll have months of physical therapy." He shook his head as he drank more of his coffee. "While I had him in there, I went ahead and took a look at his other hand. It's healing well as is the surgical site in his side and the other stitched areas. If it continues at this rate, in a week or so I'll remove the heavier bandages and allow him to begin some exercises with it."

"So Johnny is gonna be alright? I mean he's alright now? The fever hasn't . . ." Mike now spoke up, remembering the sight of his friend's thinned and abnormally heated body when they'd moved him.

This time Brackett answered. "Right now, he's very weak but he made it through the surgery without any complications and is coming out of the anesthesia even as we speak."

Ken Bentley looked over the worried group, saw how his words had caused a mixture of reactions in them and continued, "He has several things going for him. He is young and basically in good health before this happened."

Roy ducked his head at that and Jo hugged him closer. Bentley didn't seem to notice but Mike and Cap exchanged glances, both silently acknowledging that they might have to talk to the senior paramedic later.

"And he has a strong support group to help him along. I've seen and I'm sure Dr. Brackett can back me up on this, that that can have a very profound effect on a healing patient." Ken nodded at Kel who nodded his head enthusiastically.

"You all know Johnny has been in tough situations before and each time he's pulled through. Don't give up on him yet." He told them.

Roy slowly nodded. "We . . . we're not, Doc." Heads nodded all around. Bentley placed his now empty cup on the counter and turned to Roy. "Well, Batman, since you're here I might as well have a look at your hand as well." He turned to Dix who smiled, "I thought you might, Doctor, Treatment room 2 is ready and waiting and x-ray was notified."

He nodded and headed out. Roy hesitated, looking back at his wife and shiftmates. Jo kissed him on the cheek and said, "Go Roy. Call me later to let me know about your hand and how Johnny is." She glanced back at the other men, "I think I'll head on home; I'm sure Mike or Hank will give me a lift."

Mike jumped to his feet, "Sure. Since Jenny is at our house anyway I'll do it." They said their good-byes, Jo kissing her husband, Mike clapping a hand on his shoulder, blue eyes meeting blue eyes in silent communication. Mike nodded in agreement and left, Jo beside him.

Hank and Marco stood as well, their expressions grave, "Roy," Cap started but Roy gave a faint grin as he said, "I'll keep you all informed."

Hank slapped him on the back and Marco grabbed his upper arm, squeezing it as he walked past. Dixie took Roy's elbow and escorted him into treatment room 2. Left alone, the two doctors exchanged glances once more. "You're gonna have to come up with a better analogy, Kel. It seems the dynamic duo has more than two members." Ken quipped. Brackett nodded as the two left.