As promised, here's the next chapter. And this is NOT a never ending story. I have perhaps three, maybe four chapters left in this tale. The next chapter will be out by the end of the month and starts right with Marc Kent. Again thanks for those of you who have followed this. It's been quite a ride! Enjoy!

Roy entered the treatment room with more than a little trepidation. It had been nearly four long days since he'd left the hospital. The tests had confirmed he did have the virus and although he didn't like it, he went quietly home with his wife. The first 48 hours he was home were fuzzy at best. His fever had climbed as well and he was plagued by horrible dreams; similar to the ones he'd had when he was being so cruel to his partner. Jo reassured him several times that Dixie and Gretchen had called, keeping them abreast on Johnny's condition—Johnny was still comatose, no change in his vitals, however the doctors were optimistic. Finally late on the second day, Roy's fever dropped and he felt well enough to stumble into the living room. Jo looked up, happy to see her husband on his feet but worried at his pale appearance. "Roy? Should you be up?"

He made his way to the couch and sat heavily, "I feel better." He looked around, "The kids?"

Jo pulled the afghan off the back and spread it over him. "Jenny came down with it too but she's doing better now. Her fever broke last night. She ate some breakfast and is now asleep. Chris is over at the Stokers. He's been healthy so far, so they took him to keep him away from your bugs." She lightly teased.

Roy nodded, grateful for the help from his shiftmates. Then he broached what had really been on his conscious thoughts. "Uhhh, Jo." She looked at him, her gaze softening at the pleading worry in his blue eyes. "Johnny…?"

She held his gaze as she began shaking her head. Roy felt his heart sink.

Just then the phone rang and she raised her hand, "Hold that thought," she told him as she hurried to answer it. "DeSoto's. Oh! Hi! Yeah, he's better. In fact he just came out into the living room." She smiled at her husband but Roy was still reeling over her earlier unspoken answer about Johnny. Then the smile on Jo's face fell and she stiffened. "There has. There is? Hold on; I'll get him." She stretched the long cord out and gave her husband the receiver. "It's Dixie. She said she has an urgent message for you."

Roy took the phone, swallowed hard and mentally prepared himself for the bad news he was sure he would hear. When he thought he finally had his emotions under control, he spoke. "H . .hello Dixie."

"Ahh, there you are, Roy. Now hold on." Came the head nurse's voice then muffled words and the sound of the receiver moving. Cautiously he said again, "uhhh, Dixie? Hello?"

A pause then a weak but very identifiable voice replied, "Hey . . . Pally."

Roy felt his heart stop then begin racing as his eyes went wide and he shouted, "Johnny! You're awake!"

A faint chuckle then, "Yeah, so they tell me. They also told me you got a little sick yourself. Are you ok? Are Jo and the kids ok?"

Roy's heart soared and he started to laugh. Soon he was laughing so hard, he had tears running down his face. Jo came over, worry on her face at his actions. "Roy?"

"Roy? Roy? You awright?" Johnny's voice was filled with concern. For his partner's sake as well as his wife, Roy tapped down on his emotions. He reached out and pulled his wife into his lap and kissed her then said into the receiver, "I'm fine, Johnny. Everything is fine now. How are you doing?"

"Ummm, better. Still really tired." Roy could hear thatin his partner's voice. "Did the kids get sick too?"

Roy couldn't stop the sloppy grin on his face as he answered, "I guess Jenny got sick. Chris hasn't showed any signs and the Stoker's took him to keep him healthy."

"Jenny got sick?" Johnny's voice sounded a little stronger and now filled with alarm. "She ok? How high was her fever?"

Roy shook his head, amazed yet again that Johnny could lie in a hospital bed, sick as could be, and still be worried over someone else. "Jo told me her fever broke last night and she's eaten and is now sleeping so I'd say she's better."

"Good." Johnny answered, then, "I'm glad." Roy could hear the other man's voice was fading.

"Hey partner, I'd better go. I've not been up long myself and Jo is giving me the eye." He said, shrugging his shoulder in mute apology to the sideways glare Jo gave him for that white lie.

He heard the heavy sigh on the other end. "OK." A long pause then, "Dixie wants to talk. Guess I'll talk to ya again soon" Johnny's voice was barely a whisper now.

Roy's grin changed to a gentle smile, "You take care of yourself: I'll see you just as soon as Brackett clears me. You rest now, Junior."

"K." came the mumbled reply then more shuffling sounds and Dixie's soft voice, "He's asleep, Roy. Hold on and I'll transfer to the desk phone so we don't wake him."

He waited through the various clicks and noises until he heard Dixie say, "You still there?"

Immediately he burst forth with questions, "How is he really? When did he wake up? Is he still running a fever?

"Hold on, hold on!" Dixie's laughing voice came over the line. "Now. He's doing fine. His vitals are stronger with each check and the doctors are happy with his progress. He's still weak and tires easily but he's improving there as well. His fever is gone; last three checks it was completely normal. And he woke up slowly over last night's shift. Each time he wakes, he's a little stronger and stays awake a little longer." She paused and Roy could hear the happiness in the head nurse's voice. "There. That answer all of them?"

Roy grinned widely as he repeated everything to his wife. Jo bent her head and Roy saw her shoulders shaking. He rubbed them, feeling his own eyes burn. "Thank God. He's finally getting better." He whispered.

"Yes. Yes he is." Dixie added as she gave her own silent thanks. Then once more all nurse she said, "And no. You can't see him until Kel clears you."

"Ok." Roy reluctantly agreed. Part of him wanted to argue, wanted to leap into the car and rush right over but then the memory of watching helplessly as Johnny faded into the coma struck him. He wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his friend's recovery.

"Jo said you were up for the first time today. How are you doing?" Dixie's voice came again.

"My fever is gone. I'm feeling better, a little shaky still but better." He honestly admitted.

"Sounds about right. From what we've seen this virus lasts about four days. Let's see, today is Tuesday so I'd say come in Friday and Kel will see you then." Dixie told him. Roy sighed but agreed. Dixie chuckled, "Alright Roy. We'll see you then. Take care and get yourself well."

"I will." He told her.

She laughed. "I know you will." And without saying they both knew why. Then he heard the PA calling her name and Dixie's hurried voice came back on. "Roy? I gotta . . ."

"I know," he broke in, "I hear. Tell my partner I'll see him soon."

"Will do." And then a click. Roy held the phone for several long moments, just letting his feelings flow through him.

Jo turned a bright smile on him. "Oh Roy! Johnny's better; that's wonderful." She pulled him into a fierce hug then stood up quickly. "Are you hungry? Would you like to eat something? Jen and I had chicken noodle soup and peanut butter sandwiches." He agreed he could eat and followed his wife into the kitchen.

Roy sighed as he brought himself out of his memories. That had been two days ago. As promised he had talked to Johnny a few more times on the phone. Each time he thought his partner had sounded better but until he could see him with his own eyes, there was a bit of doubt. He'd told Johnny about his appointment with Brackett and promised he would be up to see him as soon as the doctor released him. Johnny had told him that Dr. Bentley was expected to exam him again that morning and Roy had hoped to be there before the hand surgeon saw his friend.

The treatment room door opened and Dixie and Brackett walked in. "Well, Roy. How are you feeling?" The doctor greeted him.

"I feel good." He truthfully answered.

"You do huh. Well, let's see, shall we? Dix?" The nurse nodded and stepped forward. She grinned at the paramedic as she quickly took his vitals. Roy was relieved that everything was well within normal levels. Brackett nodded as he completed his own exam, "Well, BP's a little up." He faced his paramedic, his eyes twinkling, "Could be stress. How about it? Feeling a little stressed, Roy? Something on your mind that you'd care to discuss?" He watched as his paramedic fidgeted on the exam table. 'If I couldn't see that this was Roy in front of me, I'd swear I was trying to examine Johnny!' He raised an eyebrow at his nurse and looked pointedly at the nervously shifting man. Dixie's eyes twinkled and she gave a faint nod, showing she shared the thought.

Roy blushed slightly at his boss's uncharacteristic teasing. " no, not . . .not in particular. I'm, ahhh, I'm fine. I'm feeling just fine." He insisted.

Brackett hmphed as he wrote in the chart and Dix smiled brightly at the other half of the dynamic duo. Roy felt himself relax at their actions. "Johnny really is doing better," he suddenly blurted out, feeling it for the first time.

Brackett pretended to scowl as he slapped the chart in his hand and Dixie ducked her head as she stifled a chuckle. "Well! Here I am, trying to clear you from the sick list and all you can do is worry about that trouble making partner of yours? I tell you, I oughta . . ." he stopped, shook his head, then looked at Roy with a grin of his own. "Yes. He is. And I think you're wasting my time, so get out of here."

Roy jumped off the table, sliding his shirt back on quickly, buttoning it and tucking it in all in one smooth practiced motion. "Really Doc? I can go?"

Brackett pretended to scowl at the chart he was writing in again, "Yes yes. You're fine; get out of here. Go back home to your family."

Roy's face fell at that. "Go back home?" he asked softly.

Dixie nudged Brackett who frowned then sighed, rolling his eyes "Go see him. You're fine."

Roy was out the door before the words finished. As the door thunked shut, Dixie punched the doctor in the arm. "Owww" Kel rubbed his arm. "What was that for?"

"For teasing him so. You know quite well where he wanted to go; where he's headed right now." She admonished him. He nodded. "I know. And believe me, I'm as happy as he is."

Roy was too anxious to wait for the elevator so he bounded up the steps. Soon he came out on the floor where SICU was. He paused at the stairwell door to catch his breath then pushed it open and stepped up to the nurse's desk. He shifted the bag he held in his arms and glanced at the empty nurse's station. 'Hmmmm, Gretchen's not there. I know she said she was on today.' He gave a slight shrug as he walked passed, heading to Johnny's room. Part of him quivered with excitement, part in dread at what he'd see. Had the doctor already been in? He was a little later than he'd told his friend. If so, had Johnny had good news?

Roy entered the door and stopped in surprise as his eyes quickly scanned the room. The first thing he noticed was that Johnny's arms were no longer restrained awkwardly out from his body. His right hand had been put into a half cast and securely wrapped. His left hand wore only bandages with some sort of brace over the last two fingers. A glance at the side of the bed revealed no urine bag and he smiled at the thought of that ease given his partner. The next thing he noticed was that Johnny lay in the bed dressed in his own pajamas instead of the gowns he'd been forced to wear because of the apparatuses. Only a sheet and light blanket lay over him, gone were the cooling blankets and the IVs. Johnny's eyes were closed as he slept, his face still gaunt and pale but the rust ribbon of fever was gone from his cheeks. Johnny lay flat on his back with his left arm thrown over his eyes in the manner he preferred and had been unable to do since his injury.

For a long time, Roy just stood in the doorway, watching his partner. He was healing, finally, he was healing. After so many backsteps and heart wrenching moments, he could now believe firmly that his friend would soon be out of the hospital and back on his feet.

As if sensing a presence in the room, Johnny inhaled deeper and his head rolled toward the door as his eyes slowly opened. A grin split his face as he dropped his arm and raised his head. "Hey there."

Roy smiled back. "Hey there yourself." He shrugged. "Sorry I'm a little late. I really did want to be here this morning."

Johnny shook his head, his gratitude showing in his eyes. "Don't be sorry. You were here Sunday night; that was enough."

Suddenly Roy felt self-conscious and shrugged his shoulders again as he changed the subject. "You're looking a little lighter there, partner.

Johnny grinned as he flexed his freed fingers and bent his arms. "Yeah! It feels great! And Doc said later today he's gonna let me actually get out of this bed."

Roy returned the grin, "That's great Johnny." His voice held his own relief and excitement.

Johnny motioned to the chair by his bedside. "Have a seat." He paused, his smile dimming, "Ummm, unless you gotta leave, you know, somewhere else ya gotta go . . .?" He ducked his head as his fingers worried at his blanket's edge.

Roy grinned reassuring as he came forward. "No Johnny. I don't have anywhere else I have to be." His grin morphed slowly into a gentle smile, "Or anywhere else I wanna be."

Johnny's voice was quiet as he replied, "Thanks, partner." He looked up and his brown eyes caught and held Roy's blue ones. Once more Roy felt in sync with his partner… and his friend. Roy nodded, tears in his eyes. "Anytime, Junior." Those four words may not have seemed like much to anyone hearing them, but for the men involved, they spoke volumes.

Then Roy shifted and the bag crinkled. "Oh. Jo sent this in to you." He sat in the chair, smiling again as Johnny perked up, his eyebrows raised as he sat up. Roy helped adjust his bed then placed the bag on the bedside table. He pulled out three stacked Tupperware containers, then snuck a look at Johnny from under his arm. He had Johnny's rapt attention; his partner was sitting as far forward as he could without falling out of the bed, trying his best to see what Roy had.

"Here you go." He opened the first container and moved it slightly toward Johnny, "we've got some pot roast with potatoes and carrots and buttered peas," he opened the next container, "along with hot buttered rolls and for dessert?" He opened the last container and looked at Johnny. Johnny had his eyes closed as he inhaled deeply, "I'd know that smell anywhere. Mary Spencer's Apple Crisp."

Roy grinned, "Yeah. She uhhh, brought it over yesterday. Sorry. The previous one was eaten."

Johnny looked up and the Gage lop-sided grin spread across his face, "That's ok. I'm glad it didn't go to waste." He remembered that Roy had told him that he'd brought that for Johnny's meal the day his fever had spiked. Roy quickly prepared a plate and set it up in front of his friend. He handed Johnny the fork and helped him get a good hold on it before he sat back in the chair to talk and watch.

Johnny fed himself slowly and carefully until his hand shook so badly that he couldn't hold any food on the fork. Without breaking his conversation, Roy took over feeding him just like he had before. He didn't miss the grateful look Johnny shot him even as the recovering medic chewed more of the meat. When Johnny reached for the glass of milk, Roy stabilized the glass as Johnny drank from the straw. When Roy picked up the fork again, Johnny pulled back hesitantly. "Roy? Could I have some . . .ummm."

Roy grinned and set aside the plate of the main dish and pulled forward the apple crisp. Johnny ate a fair amount before he raised his hand to signal he'd had enough. Roy tried not to frown at the small amount of food his friend had eaten but then seeing how Johnny's eyes were blinking sleepily he knew Johnny was at the end of his strength. "I'll put this away and you can have more later." He told his friend.

Johnny gave a faint nod, "S'ok. Wazgood." He laid back into his pillows then yawned. He turned his head and blinked at his partner. "I hate that I'm still so tired." He mumbled. Roy laughed, then patted his arm. "Sleep Junior. You're still healing and your body needs the rest."

Johnny sighed heavily, "I know." His blinks got slower until his eyes closed and his head lolled to one side. Roy carefully lowered the bed until Johnny was once more flat. Johnny shifted slightly, inhaled deeper and his left arm came up over his face. Seeing that, Roy smiled and placed the containers back into the bag.

He sat back in the chair for quite a while, content to just watch the even respirations as Johnny slept. So isolated were his thoughts that he startled when another body brushed against him. He looked up and smiled into the blue eyes smiling back into his. Gretchen quickly took a vitals reading on the sleeping man, careful not to disturb him. She looked at the plate still sitting on the table and nodded to Roy. Then she mouthed, "Coffee?"

Her smile widened at his eager nod and he packed up the food and followed her out of Johnny's room. After the door closed behind them, Gretchen said, "Looks like he ate fairly well."

Roy shrugged, "Not anywhere near what he's capable of eating." He sighed as he thought of the massive amounts of food he'd seen his skinny partner put away in one sitting. He put the uneaten portions into the fridge. Gretchen patted his arm, "He ate better of the food you brought him than he has the food from the here." She frowned as she paused, "Although on Tuesday the kitchen sent him up a separate tray. Some sort of fried bread and beans and meat mixture. He ate that really well." She shrugged, "Doesn't matter. The point is he's eating better, his temperature is normal and he's getting stronger every day."

Roy nodded, "I see the doctor redid his bandages."

Gretchen chuckled as she got two cups and poured the rich dark liquid into them. "Yes. Dr. Bentley removed the braces this morning. He pulled the last of the stitches on Wednesday."

"All of them? He's healed that far?" Roy blinked in surprise as he mentally counted back the days. God! Had it really been nearly three weeks since Johnny was first injured! It felt like years ago! He sipped his coffee as he mentally reviewed everything that had happened in the past five weeks. He shook his head as he thought about how their lives had all changed since his partner had taken care of Jenny and Chris that fateful weekend.

Gretchen sipped her own cup as she jotted some notes into a chart. "Yes. His doctors are very pleased with his progress now. In fact he'll soon be taken off my floor." She smiled at that thought. As she'd said before, it was her main goal to get her patients off her floor and into a main ward as quickly as possible. A frown crossed her face as she, too, counted the days the dark haired firefighter had resided under her care.

"I'm sure Johnny was excited to hear that." Roy smiled.

Gretchen gave him a sly look. "Oh they haven't told him that yet." She shook a pencil at Roy's wide eyes, "but they will. You mark ole Gretchen's words. I know."

Roy grinned. He drank the rest of his coffee and rinsed out the cup. He placed it back on the shelf as he said, "I'm gonna head back in there. He's been asleep now about two hours. I imagine he'll be waking soon."

Gretchen tilted her head, "He might. His naps have been lasting anywhere from two to four hours." Then she smiled softly at Roy, "However, he knows you're here. I think you're right he'll wake soon." She nodded toward the pot. "I'll come in in a little while with some coffee. The kitchen sent up some sort of cobbler for him." She frowned at that, "Someone in the kitchen must know him. On certain days we get a special tray marked with his name."

Roy grinned, "Must be May. She's one of the dietitians down there. I've talked with her a few times when I've gone down and I've told her about Johnny. She's been very interested in how he's doing." He paused as he made a note to himself, "I'll have to swing by there and let her know how he is now."

Gretchen grinned again, "Well whoever it is seems to have him pretty well pegged. Like I said, he eats better from those trays than the usual fair."

Roy smiled, "Just you wait until he fully gets his appetite back. You wouldn't believe the amount he can put away and then claim to be starved two hours later."

Gretchen chuckled, "Fast metabolism huh? I've known a few like that as well. I've heard hummingbirds are like that too. They have to spend just about every waking minute eating just to stay alive."

Roy laughed, "That sounds like my partner! Maybe I should start calling him hummingbird. He flits around about as fast as one too."

A buzzer broke up their friendly relaxed talk and the two parted; Gretchen to answer the call in room#4 and Roy back to room#3. As soon as he entered the room, Roy's eyes went to the bed. Johnny was still sleeping. Roy settled back in the chair, content to watch him. After a while a faint noise came from behind him and he turned expecting to see Gretchen or one of the LPNs. To his surprise he saw a man in a firefighter's uniform shadowed in the doorway. He could see the white of a sling around the man's arm and soot still on his shadowed face. He stood. "Yes? Can I help you?" He asked as he stepped forward. The man stepped closer, opened his mouth to speak, coughed a little and cleared his throat. As he did Roy could see him clearly. His eyes widened as he quickly moved forward. "Marco? What happened!"

Marco gave another cough and a faint grin. "I'm ok. Just a bruised wrist. We had a warehouse fire and I got grazed by a falling beam." He wearily sank into the chair Roy offered him. "Knocked the hose right out of my hands. Good thing Chet was right behind me."

"Chet ok? Everyone else?" Roy's worry for his shiftmates colored his voice. Marco nodded, "Yeah. They're all fine. We almost had the fire out when this happened. I told Cap I was ok but you know how he is." He chuckled, "And why he's that way."

Roy chuckled as well, as both firefighters looked toward the sleeping figure in the bed. They knew their Captain was just a little bit more paranoid over injuries because of a certain paramedic's history. But that wasn't too bad. Most of the men secretly felt better knowing their captain was concerned over the health of each of his men.

Marco nodded toward the bed. "Since I was here, I wanted to come up and see him. We haven't been allowed up here since . . .well . . ."

Roy nodded, he knew Johnny had restricted all his visitors while he was angry with Roy. They hadn't had time to reverse that before Johnny had slipped into the coma. "He's doing good. No fever, his vitals are improving and as you can see they've released him from the braces."

Marco sighed. He, too, could see that Johnny looked better than the last time he'd visited.

"He's still tired. And he needs lots of sleep." Came a drowsy mutter. Both Roy and Marco straightened and looked toward the bed. Johnny's eyes were closed and he seemed to still be asleep but they were sure it had been was his voice.

"Johnny?" asked Roy softly, wondering if his partner was sleep-talking.

Instead of answering, both saw Johnny's nose twitch. Then he began actively sniffing. Suddenly his eyes opened wide and he shot up in bed. "Smoke! I smell smoke!"

Roy immediately placed a soothing hand on his friend's shoulder, "Relax Johnny."

"I'm sorry Juanito. You smell me." Marco said with a sigh. Johnny blinked the sleep from his eyes as he focused on his friends. His piercing gaze took in the figure before him. "Are you awright? How bad?" Roy moved forward and raised Johnny's bed. Johnny shot a grin of thanks to his buddy before turning his attention once more on his other visitor.

Marco grinned and moved his arm slightly, "Not bad; just a good bruising Doc says. It'll keep me off duty for a couple of shifts but nothing serious." He leaned forward and placed his uninjured hand over Johnny's arm. "How are you, hermono?"

Johnny smiled, "I'm doing good, like Roy said. Glad to get my hands finally free." He moved his arms, still taking joy in being able to do that even as he next frowned at the weakness in them. Marco chuckled, "It will all come back, hermono." He told him in Spanish.

Johnny nodded, "I know. Just the getting there worries me." He replied in kind.

Neither one noticed the strange look Roy gave his two workmates. He knew Marco spoke Spanish fluently, had heard him do so many times. And he knew Johnny spoke Dahkota as well as English. But this was the first time he'd heard the two of them conversing in Spanish. He made a mental note to question at least one of them about it later. Right now, he was still too happy his friend was healing.

Roy watched, still silent, as the two switched to English and Marco told them about the fire he'd just been too. Then he began telling them stories about the random draw of paramedic substitutes that had work 51's A shift. "And for the last two shifts it's been Kirk Mueller and that new guy, uhhhhh, Westen, Wenton, something like that,"

"Winston? Art Winston?" Johnny asked.

Marco smiled as he nodded, "Si, that's him."

Johnny turned to Roy, "You remember him. Rescue man out of 34's. He graduated two classes ago." At Roy's bewildered look, Johnny sighed and flipped his hand out repeatedly as he pitched his voice in a near monotone, "You know, placing an IV is harder than you'd think. I've practiced and practiced on peaches but it doesn't feel the same as real skin."

Roy's eyes widened as he recognized the nearly perfect imitation his partner had preformed of the slow talking man. "OH! You mean HIM! Ok, I know who you're talking about now."

Now Marco looked bewildered, "Peaches? Why would you practice sticks on peaches?" He asked.

Roy grinned as he answered, "You don't." Marco looked more confused as Johnny dissolved into giggles.

"You don't practice on peaches; you practice on oranges." Another voice supplied. They turned to see Dixie's smiling face. "Many nursing students practice giving injections on oranges because some feel the toughness of the peel mimics human skin."

"And what do you feel, Dix?" Johnny teased.

She grinned a little ferally at him, "I have human targets I practice on." Johnny shifted uncomfortable and muttered something under his breath. Now it was Marco and Roy's turn to laugh. Dixie placed a hand on her hip and stared at them until they quieted. "This is SICU." She admonished and they both looked momentarily guilty. Then she smiled; she couldn't stay upset long, she, too, was too happy to see one of her favorite people was acting more like himself. "Gretchen said she promised you coffee." She said as she reached around the corner and beckoned something. "And I ran into someone else who is very eager to see you, Johnny."

At that Dixie pulled a small cart into the room which was closely followed by a stocky dark haired woman. Adelina Lopez went first to Marco, placing her hands on his shoulders as she rapidly quizzed him in Spanish. He answered her mostly with, "Si' Momma, no momma, Si' Momma." She kissed his forehead and smiled.

Then she turned to the other two amused men. To Roy's surprise she gave out a cry and launched herself toward Johnny. She flung herself onto the edge of his bed, cupped her hands on either side of his head and began kissing his face before she pulled him into a rib crunching hug. Her flood of Spanish came out in first a worried tone, then changed to admonishment then switched to a mournful note as she finally pulled back and let her eyes search over his body.

Johnny was protesting the entire time. "I'm awright, I'm awright. You don't have to worry anymore. I'm sorry I upset you. Yes, I'm healing fine. Huŋ'ku. Huŋ'ku!" She stopped, looking closely at him. He raised his left hand and placed his fingers on her cheek, "Amasni,(ahh maash nee) huŋ'ku, (huach kuu) amasni." As he softly spoke the last, she finally nodded to him.

Marco grinned broadly as Johnny looked up at him, then rolled his eyes. "So, did I hear someone say coffee?" Johnny asked. At once Lina stood up and she and Dixie took the pot off the cart and poured several cups of the fragrant fluid. Then Lina opened a large cloth bag on the cart and pulled out a fair sized box. She opened it, revealing large cinnamon rolls. The heavenly scent of yeasted bread mixed with cinnamon filled the room. She took one roll, tore it into several pieces and placed it on a small paper plate before sliding that same plate on Johnny's tray. She added a cup of coffee then pushed the tray closer to him. Johnny eagerly reached for the roll first and plopped a piece into his mouth. "Ummmm, Gracias Huŋ' ku, muy bein."

The others reached for cups and the treat just as eagerly. Roy enjoyed several bites of his own roll, watching as Johnny ate more pieces. Then he saw Johnny look longingly at his full cup. But before he could move, Dixie picked up Johnny's cup and held it near his mouth saying, "You look a little dry there, Johnny, and we can't have that." Like Roy had before, she let his hand guide the cup, she merely handled the weight.

Before long, the rolls were gone and the coffee as well. Lina looked between her sons; one who had his fist over his mouth, trying to stifle a yawn and the other who leaned back into his pillows, blinking sleepily with a lazy grin on his face. "I think our two wounded need to rest." She announced.

Immediately Johnny protested, "No! Don't leave on my account. I'm fine. Really!"

Adelina leaned over him, her smile gentle and loving, "I know you are tired, mi hijo. I can see it in your eyes. You rest now and get better so you can leave this place. I will be back again."

"Ok." He softly replied, his freed fingers resting on her arm. She still looked into his chocolate brown eyes, her own filling with tears. He smiled and patted her arm, "Amasni—I'm healing. Please don't worry."

She sniffled softly as she patted his cheek, "It is my—how you say—prerogative? To worry over you, mi hijo." Then she leaned over and gently kissed his cheek before turning and wrapping her arm through Marco's uninjured one. "Come niño, let us get you home to clean up and rest." She smiled at her long-time friend, "I will see you, Dixie, tomorrow." She waved at Roy, "Take good care."

Roy nodded, a little bewildered over her actions. He watched as the two left, his brow pulling into a frown of puzzlement. He'd known the kindly woman held a soft spot in her heart for the other members of her son's shift but this was somehow different. There was something more in the actions Adelina had just shown over Johnny. Something almost . . . motherly. More than he'd seen before. Again he filed the thoughts away to puzzle over later as Dixie moved over to Johnny's bedside.

"Here, let's clean off your fingers." Dixie grabbed a cloth and wiped his hand. "Lina's rolls are delicious but sticky."

Johnny nodded, "Yeah I know. But that's what makes them so good." He smacked his lips then licked them, getting the last of the cinnamon off them. He shifted in the bed, bringing his legs up to cross them Indian style. Dixie checked his vitals and recorded them in the chart. "Don't forget you have a physical therapy session this afternoon." She told him.

Johnny made a face, "You mean torture session."

"Now, now, I thought you were all eager to leave this fine establishment? You can't have one without the other," came a deep voice from the doorway.

Three sets of eyes looked up. Kel Brackett looked around and frowned, "It looks like I missed the party."

"Yeah," Johnny smacked his lips again as he grinned, "Gretchen's coffee and Lina's cinnamon rolls."

Brackett scowled at them. "Well. In that case I guess I'll have to get my pleasures by harassing you."

Johnny laid back into his pillows and gave a whimper. Then he looked over pleadingly at Dixie. "Isn't there one roll left? Something we can bribe him with?"

Dixie smiled as she patted his arm. "Relax. Lina left some down at my desk." She turned to the doctor, "You can have some of my coffee and a roll later."

Brackett's face fell, "You take away all my fun. I enjoy tormenting him." Then he smiled, "Alright Johnny. All kidding aside, how do you feel?"

"Usually with fingers. Sometimes with my toes and always with every nerve ending." He shifted uncomfortably as he added, "Sometimes more readily than others."

Brackett made a pained face, "See what I have to put up with? I told you, he's easier to deal with when he's in a coma."

Roy chuckled, remembering when Brackett had said that once before. Johnny made a face and sank back into his bed, straightening his legs as he gave a great sigh. With the teasing out of the way, Brackett checked his patient over then, replacing his stethoscope, gave a grin. "Well, it looks like everything is about as normal as normal gets for you."

Johnny made a disgusted face, "No offence Doc, but stick to your day job."

Brackett chose to ignore him as he wrote in the chart. "Dix I think you can tell Gretchen that she'll be rid of this ungrateful creature tomorrow."

At that Johnny perked up. "I'm getting out of here? Finally?" His excitement made the others laugh.

"Not out of the hospital yet," Brackett corrected and watched as Johnny's face fell. Then he added, "But off this floor yes. I think you're well enough to move you to a different set of nurses before you wear these girls out."

Johnny frowned, "I've not worn anyone out." He muttered petulantly.

Roy blinked in surprise while Brackett took his leave along with Dixie. "Well, whadaya know? Gretchen was right."

At his partner's bewildered look Roy told him of the conversation he'd had with the other nurse. Soon Gretchen herself came in, smirking broadly as she handed Johnny his medications. She winked at Roy, "Told you." She commented.

"Ahhhh, Gretchen. Won't you miss me?" Johnny whined as he blinked pitifully at the nurse. She swatted his shoulder causing him to duck and giggle.

"Not a bit, hoseboy. Not one bit." She growled. Then laughed with them. As their merriment died down a grumbling noise was heard. Gretchen's eyes widened as Johnny blushed. Now it was Roy's turn to look smug. "I think someone is hungry again."

Gretchen chuckled again, her blue eyes twinkling as she recalled their earlier conversation. "Well, better feed him Roy. I won't tolerate anyone starving to death on my floor." Still chuckling at his partner's grumblings, Roy went out and got the leftovers from the previous meal. Johnny ate a good bit more before his strength again ended. Roy left his friend blinking sleepily with a promise to return in the morning to share in his release from SICU. When he returned home he told his wife everything that had happened and still feeling so good announced, "Pack up the kids. This calls for celebration. My partner is finally on his way out of the hospital." The kids cheered as they scampered off to the car and a dinner out.

The next day found Roy hurrying along the corridors to his buddy's room. A warm feeling spread through him as he bid a silent farewell to those familiar walls, hoping to not see them for a long time, if ever again.

He entered Johnny's room to see the dark haired man again sitting up in bed. He grinned brightly at his friend. "Hey there partner, looking good."

"I feel great," Johnny nodded, "eager to get a change of scenery." Roy eyed him as he shifted repeatedly, one knee bouncing under his blanket. His heart swelled at the sight, so relieved to see the endless energy he always associated with his kinetic partner returning. "oh." He handed Johnny a long thin packet. "here's a little moving present."

Johnny shot him a puzzled look as he took the package and began to unwrap it.

Roy shrugged as he shuffled his feet, "I uhhh, thought it might help with your PT, or maybe, you know, when you get bored."

Johnny pulled the paper off and sat staring at the two drumsticks he now held. Roy grinned at him then looked alarmed as Johnny's face fell. "Roy?" he asked softly, "Are you trying to tell me something?"

"What? Tell you . . . no Johnny! Why . . .why would you say . . .What would I be telling you?" He finally sputtered out.

Johnny looked up, his dark amber eyes round and sad, "That you'd rather I was a drummer for PCH than in the squad with you?"

Roy froze, remembering the conversation he'd had with Johnny after the second surgery. He began shaking his head adamantly, "No! Johnny, that's not what I'm saying at all! I just thought . . .I just wanted . . ."

"I know what you meant and I have something I've been wanting to say to you." Johnny's voice held steel that made Roy's face pale. He watched as Johnny set his jaw then slowly, carefully pushed himself closer to the edge of the bed. Roy caught up his breath and took a step forward, his arms raised in protest as Johnny slid his legs over the edge. "Johnny! Wha. . . .?"

Johnny raised a hand and cut Roy off with a motion. Then he placed his feet on the floor and gripped the edge of the rail with his left hand. Roy looked helplessly over at Gretchen who had come into the room then blinked in surprise as he saw that, while watching the young man closely, she didn't seem worried. Now really confused, Roy turned his attention back to his friend.

Johnny closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath and pushed hard. And. He stood. Granted he was wavering a little but he was on his own feet. Roy's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth dropped open.

Johnny looked at him and shifted himself carefully until he fully faced Roy. Face to face and for the first time in weeks, again eye to eye. Roy realized he had been holding his breath and now took a deep one. His vision blurred as his eyes filled. "Johnny." He breathed.

Johnny's face still held the same firm look as he looked his partner straight in the eye. He raised his left hand, pointed his finger at him and said, "You, Roy William DeSoto, have been an ass."

The deep breath Roy had taken burst from him in a choked off combination of a sob and a laugh. He vividly remembered the times he'd told what he thought was his unconscious friend that he couldn't wait until Johnny stood on his own feet, looked him in the eye and told him what an ass he'd been to his face. Now, finally, Johnny was doing just that.

Johnny's face still held it's serious look as he continued, "And if you ever, ever! do that to me again, I . . .I'll . . .." Suddenly Johnny's voice trailed off. With his eyes locked on Johnny's Roy saw the quick succession of emotions that suddenly flooded those expressive brown eyes. He instinctively knew that Johnny was instantly reviewing those horrid three weeks as he saw the pain and confusion fill those eyes just as he'd seen then and ignored. He saw the devastation and despair reflected back at him as Johnny blinked and swallowed hard, wavering slightly on his feet as it all came crashing back on him.

Roy's heart twisted in his chest as he could hear Johnny's voice, in his mind, finish his statement, and he didn't like the outcome. Tears flooded his eyes, hanging just on his lashes but not falling, as he grabbed the shoulders of the man before him, bracing him firmly. He never broke eye contact as he slowly shook his head, "Never John. I swear. Never."

Those dark eyes searched his desperately and saw the conviction in that promise. Johnny swallowed again and took a shuddering breath, his posture sagging slightly. Roy pulled his friend into a hard embrace, thumping his back as he rapidly blinked his eyes.

"If he ever does anything like that again, you won't have to do anything, John Gage," came a hard female voice from behind them. "I'll see to that!" Both recognized the tone of the old Navy nurse.

"As will we, " Roy looked over and Johnny turned his head to see Dixie and Jo standing in the doorway. Dix gave a firm nod, belying the tears in her own eyes as she gave a firm nod toward where Gretchen stood. Gretchen returned it and Johnny gave his two staunch supporters a weak smile.

"Oh Johnny! It's so good to see you on your feet!" Jo rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug. Then one knee buckled and both Roy and Jo grabbed a hold of him even as his left hand grabbed the bed rail.

"Don't overdo it. I know the Doc wants you up on your feet several times a day but you're still very weak." Gretchen cautioned as she placed a firm grip on her patient. With their assistance, Johnny crawled back into his bed. A fine sheen of sweat covered his face and his body trembled from the exertion but his face held a mega watt grin.

Gretchen turned a stern face to the others and announced, "You, out of here. I have a final vitals check to do on my patient then I'm kicking him off my floor." She looked back down at John and winked.

Dixie grabbed Jo's left arm and Roy's right, "Let's let the woman do her job. I'll take you on down to Johnny's new room and you can wait for him there."

She started to pull them toward the door and felt Roy resist. He turned back to his clearly tired but still grinning partner, "Johnny …" He started but Johnny shook his head. He grinned at Roy, "Roy. I know." He took one stick and beat 'shave-and-a-haircut' on his rail, then his eyes caught and held Roy's. At that look and the silent communication that passed between them, Roy relaxed. With a last wave and a "see ya soon," He left SICU with a bright and light heart.