The next shift arrived too quickly for Johnny's liking. Despite spending most of his time sleeping, he felt as though he had barely slept and the headache had encompassed his entire head. Each time he moved, a spike of pain would pierce through his head, causing his vision to blur, along with dizziness and nausea.

Groaning in pain, Johnny blinded reached for his bedside phone. He hoped by giving in and asking for today's shift off, he'd be able to escape any prying questions, or worse yet, a trip into Rampart. Noticing that it was close to 7:30 am, Johnny called the station, hoping that Captain Stanley would answer.

"Station 51, Captain Hookraider speaking."

"Hello, Captain, this is Gage, is Captain Stanley there?" Johnny asked, pleading to whichever deities may be listening that he was.

As good of a fire captain Hookraider may be, as a person, there was a lot to be desired and John really didn't want to tell Captain Hookraider why he needed time off. Between Hookraider's abrasive personality and his own sense of duty, John feared he'd just end up coming in anyway. Before he could convince himself just to tell whichever Captain came on the line next that he was running a bit late, the phone was picked up again.

"Hi, John," came Captain Stanley's voice. "Considering the time, I take it you're not feeling so well or are planning on being late."

"I, uh, don't feel well," Johnny confessed, silently beseeching his Cap not to ask for a reason. "I just didn't sleep good last night."

Knowing John wouldn't admit to being sick if he could help it, Captain Stanley was more than a bit concerned. Usually, only Roy could compel him to call in sick when needed.

Probing for more information, he asked, "Anything in particular bothering you?"

"Just a huge headache…" Johnny trailed off, caught.

"And," Cap prodded, knowing that there was likely more.

"And I'm kinda dizzy, but I'm sure that's from not sleeping and I am feeling sorta sick. Pretty sure that's from feeling dizzy though," Johnny admitted quickly.

"Do you need a ride to see one of the docs?"

"No, no," Johnny sounded almost panicked at this thought. "It's probably just the start of something and if I just sleep for a bit, I'll be fine."

"Alright, John," Cap said. "Make sure to call one of us here or one of our wives if you need anything at all, got it?"

"Yea, I will."

"I'll call HQ for you. Try to let me or Roy know ahead of time if you think you need your next shift off," Cap ordered gently, deliberately leaving out that if that was the case, then Roy would be stopping by on his orders to check on him.

"Thanks, Cap," John gratefully acknowledged.

"I don't mind in the least. Take care, pal," Cap hung up the phone.

This is one of the hardest parts of being a Captain of this crew, thought Captain Stanley.

Fighting fires and managing rescues was easy…well, not easy, but there was typically a certain logic to them and a typical way to fight them. But after being with these same men and commanding them for so long, they were no longer just his men that survived under him. The whole crew felt that way. They more than just spoke the typical 'all firemen are brothers' line. They felt it and lived it. Each of them had become part of the others family, although as the Captain, he was more like a father to a lot of them. He was the person to go for help and advice. This was especially true for John as he was the youngest and the only aunt he had wasn't involved in his life. Everyone on this crew, along with their families, tended to watch out more for him because of that. There was also just something about him that made people feel protective about John.

Whatever special qualities John has, he certainly can use the extra T.L.C., Captain Stanley thought as he picked up the phone to call headquarters to get a replacement paramedic. I wonder if I should call my wife…nah, John would call Joanne first if he needed something or let us know if it got too bad. Besides, I don't want to worry her. Although, she'd likely say I am the one who tends to worry too much. She should try watching over that man! I'd like her not to worry then!

When Roy came into the station a few minutes later, Cap called him into his office, "Don't worry, Roy. Nothing's wrong. John isn't feeling too good, so he called into."

Sighing, Roy was wondering if it was still the same 'something' that had bothered Johnny at his daughter's birthday party.

"Any idea who my replacement is?" Roy dreaded the answer, but forewarned was forearmed.

"Dwyer said he'd be here in about thirty minutes or so," Cap smiled over at him. "And don't worry, I made sure John knew he was to call one of us if he needed anything. He said he thinks it's just a cold starting."

"Thanks," Roy said gratefully. "I should go get changed for roll call."

Nodding, Captain Stanley turned back to work on some paperwork as Roy left. Despite the busy day for the paramedic crew, shortly after lunch, Roy found some time to check up on Johnny.

"What?" John snapped as he grabbed at the phone, silently cursing whoever decided to bug him.

"Sorry, it's just me. I wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing," Roy apologized, worried as the behavior wasn't like his partner.

"Sorry, just tired, I'm fine, alright?" Johnny bit back a sigh, leaning further back into his pillows.

All John wanted at that moment was to find a way off the phone to get some rest.

"Are you sure you're fine? You weren't feeling too good a couple days ago either and I just wanted…"

"I just haven't been sleeping well, alright. If someone would let me, I might actually get caught up!" Johnny cut Roy off, frustration clear in his voice.

"Ok, ok," Roy backed off. "Let me or Jo know if you need anything ok?"

"Yeah. Sorry. I'll see you in a couple days alright?" John told him, hanging up abruptly.

Roy started to agree, but realized that Johnny hadn't waited for him to say good-bye. Although Johnny had insomnia in the past which made him moody, this time it seemed as if more was going on. He just couldn't quite put his finger on what though. At least the crew only had 24 hours off between shifts this time. If nothing else, he would either see Johnny soon or he'd have a reason to stop by.

When the alarm sounded to alert Johnny to the fact he had to get up for his shift a few days later, he struck the thing so hard it went flying off the nightstand. Groaning, he reluctantly got up, knowing if he missed this shift, Roy and the Cap would be on his case to get checked out.

If I just could get some sleep, this stupid headache would go away. Then I'd be back to, Johnny rationalized, delaying getting out of bed until he had no choice when his stomach rebelled, forcing him to run to the bathroom to throw up.

Even rushing through his morning routine, he ran later than normal and his attitude worsened. Finally, after a few missed turns that he knew, just knew, were due to the fact he was exhausted, Johnny made it into work with ten minutes to spare. Ignoring Chet as he needled him about his crooked parking job, Johnny rushed into the locker room, hoping Chet would shut up.

"Morning Johnny," Roy greeted cautiously.

Grunting, Johnny pulled open his locker, only to be soaked by one of the Phantom's water balloons. Seeing Chet smirking at him, John began to grow furious. When Chet starting to open his mouth to speak, Johnny felt something inside of himself seemed to break.

"You son of a bitch! I am so damn tired of your stupid, childish pranks! Of your constant badgering and picking on me. I don't know why you hate me, but I have had enough! This is the last time!" Johnny ranted, heading for Chet, intent on teaching him a lesson.

Fear radiating from his eyes, Chet backed up quickly, tripping over a bench in the way. Only the fact that Roy was able to grab Johnny stopped him in his tracks.

"Johnny!" Roy turned him around to face him.

Seeing was Johnny out of it and intent on Chet, he tried again. "John! Stop it. It is not worth it."

"I am sick and tired of him! Every time I turn around, I run around into yet another stupid water bomb, or flour bomb, or something else happens! It's all because of him and his hatred towards me and I am sick and tired of it!" Johnny ranted, unaware that Roy had kept his grip on his arms or made him sit down.

He was also unaware the Mike and Marco had gotten Chet up and out of the locker room as quickly as possible.

"John!" Roy practically shouted. "John Gage! Knock it off! Chet it not worth it! He does not hate you! He…"

As quickly as the rage had overpowered Johnny, it left him. He was breathing hard and his head was pounding even more.

"John," Roy questioned. "Johnny, you okay?"

Now even more worried about his friend, Roy tried to look at Johnny direct but Johnny was having now of that.

"I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping and it's causing me to have this stupid headache. On top of that, I am so tired of dealing with Kelly! I don't know what the heck I did to him, but I wish he would knock it off and grow up!" Johnny growled as he quickly dressed, knowing Cap would be having roll call in a few short minutes.

"Look, Johnny, you haven't been feeling good for a while. Maybe you should let me take you to Rampart, get you checked out. Make sure you aren't coming down with something. You know how easy it is for you…"

"To come down with something now that I have no spleen. Yea, yea, I know!" Johnny finished, sounding cranky, getting up to leave the locker room.

"So, you'll let me take you?" Roy asked hopefully, knowing logically it couldn't be that easy.

Station 51 Structure Fire 1305 East 215th Street 1-3-0-5 East 215th Street, Cross Street Weisier Avenue Time Out: 07:58

"No time," Johnny stated.

Roy debated briefly, but knew Johnny was right. There was no time and as of now, Johnny appeared fine. It was possible that Chet had pushed him once too many times.

As they raced to the squad while the rest of the crew went to the engine, they heard Cap respond, "KMG-365," before handing the slips of paper with the information to Roy. Passing it Johnny, he pulled out of the station and followed the directions to the fire.