DISCLAIMER: Everything belongs to Mark VII and NBC Universal. I own Julianna.

~~A/N: I have rewritten this at least five times. Every time I get to were I think it works, I don't like it and start over. I hope I've done it justice, but I'm not 100 percent happy with what I've come up with for this chapter. I can only hope that you don't hate it totally. I know I just posted a chapter, but if I don't post this now, I'll rewrite the whole thing another 10 times and that won't help any of us.~~ Kaiti

Johnny assessed his situation. He'd already applied a make-shift tourniquet to the bite location and had scored the injection points. He didn't like what he was seeing, but, pushing the emotional side of himself aside, he focused on treatment. He acted like a paramedic. Chet and Marco came to his aid and they helped him onto the tractor.

"Engine 51, Rampart is requesting vitals on the patient," dispatch said.
"OK, Rampart. As soon as we get out of here," Johnny said.

The tractor began the short, but agonizingly slow climb to the top of the crest. Johnny was using all his self control to stay calm and not give into the panic that was setting into his body. He knew how dangerous snake bites could be and he also knew his chances, if he made it to the hospital in time. As it was, they were a good 30 minutes from the hospital and Johnny didn't know if he'd make it. He wondered how Julianna would take it. He hated they weren't together, especially now, but he hoped she knew how much he loved her.

He was helped off the tractor by Cap and Chet and settled on top of the engine. Mike was going to drive the engine to the hospital with Johnny on the top. Mike knew it was risky, but he also knew enough about snake bites, having grown up in LA county his whole life, that every second wasted would cost Johnny his life.

He waited in the cab of the engine, wanting to be able to take off the second the Cap was in the passenger seat and Johnny was secured on the top.

It was going to take some help, Johnny realized. He read off his vitals to Rampart, never imagining that he'd be doing his own vitals. He also didn't think he'd ever start an IV on himself, especially since he was not a fan of needles.

With the help of Chet and Marco, Johnny managed to start his IV and get himself ready for the transport to Rampart. He started noticing, while adjusting the drip, the the world was getting fuzzy. His eyelids felt heavy and he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. He opened and closed his mouth and realized that, not only was he dizzy but his mouth felt full of cotton. Rampart requested an update on Johnny's vitals.

Johnny gave his report, but Cap had to relay his transmission.

As Cap gave the report, the fear he felt for his youngest crew member was audible in his transmission.

Johnny put his hand over his eyes, the sunshine making his head pound more than it was already. He slowly counted his respiration. He felt the world fade. He slowly slipping into unconsciousness. He wanted to tell every one of his crew mates how he felt. How grateful he was to them for helping him.

"Chet," he said, his voice a shaky whisper.
"Yeah, man," Chet said, looking at his friend.

"Thanks. Tell them all thanks. Tell Juli I love her," Johnny said.

Chet took his hand and laid his hand across his body. "I'll tell her, Johnny, but you're going to beat me to it," Chet said.
Johnny's eyes fell closed. Chet sniffed back his tears. Johnny was not going to go out like this. That he promised.

Johnny slipped into the dark. All he was aware of was his own pulse, pounding loudly in the distance. He was desperate for something, anything to cling to in the void. 'Juli! Jules,' he called out. Again, the thought of what would happen to those he cared about if he something were to happen to him.
'Roy' he said to himself. Despite all the times Johnny and Roy acted indifferent or like they were annoyed with each other, Johnny considered Roy his best friend. The closest thing he had to a brother in his life. Roy had encouraged Johnny to become a paramedic and partnered with him. Johnny admired Roy for his dedication to his job and for his love he had for his wife.
'Joanne' he thought. She was like his surrogate mother/sister. Depending on what he needed, she provided the caring a mother would provide or offer advice as a big sister would if he needed. He loved those kids like they were his own family and enjoyed the time he spent with the DeSotos. Them and his crew mates at the Station were his family. The closest thing he had in his life. They fought, spoke and cared for each other like a family.

Then there was Julianna. 'Jules,' he thought. He loved that woman since high school. Nearly 10 years after their first meeting and he loved everything about her. He saw how happy Roy and Joanne were with their marriage and their family. Johnny was so close to having that with Julianna. He made a promise to himself and to whatever God was listening, that he was going to win Julianna back and he was going to have the perfect life. Johnny knew there wasn't anything that wouldn't be perfect as long as Julianna and he were together.

He wasn't aware of any more conscious thought as he lost the grip on the sliver of light remaining and slipped into the darkness.

Mike rounded the corner to the hospital. Everyone on the engine was holding their breath, praying they'd arrived at the hospital in time.

Orderlies were waiting as the engine backed up to the entrance. Cap and Chet helped get Johnny off the top of the engine. They placed him on the gurney and rushed him inside the hospital.

The four men stopped at the entrance, hoping they'd gotten him there in time.

Julianna listened to the radio, her stomach in knots. Johnny had been bitten by a rattler and it didn't sound like he had too much time left. The thought scared her.

"I don't like it. If it's grade 4, Johnny could be dead within minutes," Brackett said.
Julianna sat in the chair, not speaking. Her face was pale and she didn't know if she could handle seeing him when they brought him into Rampart. Roy stood next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Julianna grabbed it and held on like she was going to fly away.

Roy knew what she was thinking. He was scared to death that his best friend would die and he wasn't there to help him. There wasn't anything either of them or the staff could do until they got to the hospital.

"Mike's driving. They'll get here in time," Roy said.
Julianna merely nodded. Knowing her brother was driving as quickly and as safely as he could to get Johnny to the hospital, brought small comfort to her. She knew everyone would be doing everything they could to keep Johnny alive, but she wondered if it would be enough.

Julianna promised, right then, if Johnny made it, she'd tell him how she felt and see if they could get it to work. The thought of losing him was too much for her to take.

When they wheeled him in on the gurney, she was shocked at his appearance. "When did he become unconscious," she asked to anyone who could answer.

"About five minutes ago," Chet said.

Julianna went into the room and watched Kel do the skin test. She knew it was necessary, but it felt so pointless at this point. She wanted him to be given the anti-venom and be cured.

Dixie steered Julianna and Roy out of the room. Dixie told the rest of the guys to get coffee. She'd find them when Johnny was out of the woods. Mike looked at his sister and she nodded. Mike knew Roy would take care of her.

"Hey, Juli," Chet said.
"Yeah," she said, turning back to him.
"He wanted me to tell you that he loves you," Chet said.

Julianna didn't say anything, she just started crying.

Roy placed a protective arm around her and led her to the lounge.

"He's going to be OK, Juli," Roy said.
"What if he's not," she asked.
"He will be. You know that and I know that. We just have to believe that," Roy said.
Julianna nodded and stared at the wall. Roy knew what she was feeling. Neither knew what was going to happen to Johnny and it scared the hell out of both of them.