It was late in the evening when the last visitor left, and Adam closed the door behind them with a heavy sigh. Things had gone well enough, all things considered, a fitting memorial for Isaac. People had come and gone all day long, with Joseph and Carlos both serving as buffer at times when Adam had felt overwhelmed.

He had called Isaac's mother shortly after he died, more to inform her than anything else. She had taken the news coolly before hanging up on Adam, and he knew better than to expect anything better from her. Hell, he was surprised she had taken his call at all.

Those that had shown up had more than made up for Isaac's missing family, and it had been far from a solemn affair. It had been a day of sharing memories and playing Isaac's favorite records, of good food and good drink and good friends, just as Isaac would have wanted it.

But now it was much quieter, with just Joseph and Carlos staying behind to help clean up, and Adam found his mood sinking. The letdown was inevitable, he supposed. Soon enough he would have to face the reality of a life without Isaac, and he had no idea what that would look like.

The idea of being here alone hardly appealed to him. He'd gotten used to having someone to come home to after all these years, even as Isaac had started to go downhill. At least he'd been here.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a hand over his. "I'll take that. You go sit." Joseph told him firmly.

"I'm okay." Adam answered almost automatically.

"Baby, you've been cleaning that same spot on the counter for ten minutes now." Joseph scolded him. "Go sit."

And do what? Adam thought. He huffed and left the sponge on the counter before crossing over to the couch and flopping down. Carlos and Joseph busied themselves, chatting with each other as they worked, and Adam couldn't help smiling a little. They did seem to get along, having gotten to know each other a little over the past few weeks as they coordinated with each other to help care for Isaac.

Adam didn't consider himself much of a matchmaker, but it would be a damn shame if those two didn't find more common ground beyond Isaac. Maybe he could help them along.

The sound of his tea kettle whistling caught his attention, and it wasn't long before Carlos crossed over to where Adam sat, bringing two steaming mugs and holding one out to him.

"A little something to soothe the soul." Carlos told him as he eased himself onto the couch next to him.

"Did you put anything in it?" Adam asked.

"I think perhaps you have had enough of that tonight." Carlos responded in a slightly scolding tone. "This will be better for you."

Adam sighed as he took a sip. He knew Carlos was right, even as the desire to drink himself into oblivion was strong. But the more tea he drank, the better he felt, the warmth seeping into him, and he found himself resting his head on Carlos' shoulder.

Carlos patted his head. "Ah, you have had a hard day. I know."

"Yeah." Adam answered quietly. "I mean, it was a good day, all things considered. Still hard."

"Yes, I understand." Carlos replied. "I still feel it myself."

Joseph soon joined them with his own mug, taking up residence on the other side of Adam, patting his leg as he looked at the wall. "I can't believe you still have that awful poster. And that Isaac let you put it up."

"He liked it." Adam told him. "Because he had taste, unlike you."

Joseph huffed and smacked Adam's leg. "Unbelievable. Carlos, can you believe him?"

"I can." Carlos laughed softly.

Joseph shook his head. "I seem to remember having this conversation when you first moved here."

"God, that shithole." Adam scoffed.

"It was not." Joseph asserted. "It had character."

Adam turned to Carlos. "Don't listen to him. It was a shithole. I only moved there because it was cheap and I didn't know any better."

"And yet you stayed for how long?" Joseph's tone was skeptical. "Long after I moved onward and upward."

"You were roommates?" Carlos asked.

"Neighbors." Adam replied. "He gave me quite the welcome when I first moved in."

Joseph shrugged. "Well, Adam was this young, cute fireman and I simply couldn't resist."

"And you were a slut." Adam told him.

Joseph looked him up and down. "Baby, you were more of a slut than I ever dreamed of being."

Adam sobered at that. "It was a different time."

"Indeed." Carlos responded quietly. "Mario and I, we never worried about, you know, spreading ourselves around. We would always come back to each other, and it was okay, you know?"

"Yeah." Adam agreed. "That's how Isaac and I were early on. Me more than him, and over time, I don't know. I wanted to just be with him. Really thought we'd have longer."

All three of them fell silent, and Adam felt Joseph take his hand, squeezing it lightly. It was comforting to know he wasn't alone in this, that he was surrounded by people who were going through similar circumstances.

It was an awful way to bond, Adam had to admit. He would have preferred literally any other way.

They talked for a long while after that, sometimes about Isaac, sometimes about the way things used to be, all the good times they'd had. Eventually, however, Adam could feel himself fading, and he finally lightly elbowed both of them.

"I don't care where you two go, but you can't stay here." He told them to grumbled protests from each of them.

Joseph was the first to hug him tightly. "Are you sure you don't want company?"

"I'm sure." Adam told him firmly. "I promise that I'll be fine. Lived alone for quite a few years before Isaac came along."

Joseph looked doubtful, but nodded. "Now, you know all you need to do is pick up that phone and I'll be right here."

"Good night, Joseph." Adam started to push him out the door.

Joseph scoffed. "I'm going, I'm going."

Carlos followed soon after, giving Adam a quick hug. "I will say the same. If you need anything, you call. Okay?"

"Oh my God." Adam huffed. "You two are relentless. Just go already."

Eventually they both finally left, and the apartment was completely silent. Adam was at loose ends now that it was just him.

He undressed and climbed into bed, but sleep was a long time coming. He would manage, of course. He always did. And someday, eventually, he would do better than just managing.

That is, unless this damn virus got him first.

# # #

Johnny finished tying his boots, looking up to see Adam come striding in, setting down his bag and opening his locker. "Morning."

"Morning." Adam replied quietly as he got dressed. His expression was unreadable as usual, and Johnny was only mildly surprised that he was here at all.

"Kinda surprised you're here." Johnny ventured.

Adam shrugged. "Figured I'm better off here than at home. I do better when I'm busy."

"Suppose so." Johnny replied, not sure what else to say. He and Diane had stopped over the day before for Isaac's memorial, and they had both been somewhat surprised to find it was more of a celebration than a memorial. They had talked a bit then, and Adam had seemed to be holding up okay, but Johnny knew he was likely putting on a good face. He wasn't one to show that kind of emotion, never had been. And well, if Adam felt better being here, that was fine with Johnny. Whatever helped Adam get through it.

Johnny pushed himself off his locker, wincing as he did so. Knowing what was causing the pain didn't seem to help any, and the ibuprofen wasn't doing much to dull it, either. Soon enough he'd get in to see Robinson again and get that surgery set up. After that, well, he supposed he'd do his best to recover enough to come back, but he also knew he had to consider the possibility that he might not this time.

"Are you okay?" Adam's voice held a note of concern.

"Oh, sure." Johnny tried to sound casual. "Just another day, right?"

"Right." Adam managed a slight smile at that. "You getting that thing taken care of anytime soon?"

"Hopefully." Johnny answered as they both started toward the day room. "Looks like I'm headed for surgery again."

"Shit, sorry to hear that." Adam replied with a frown.

Johnny shrugged. "Kinda the only way to fix this."

Adam looked as if he was going to hit him with an 'I told you so' but seemed to decide against it as they lined up for the briefing.

Soon after, everyone went their separate ways, with Johnny and Adam heading out to the bay to do their equipment checks and inventory.

"Guys." Cap soon joined them. "Got a list of fire inspections for you to do."

Adam held out his hand for the clipboard. "We'll get started now, if you don't mind."

"The sooner the better." Cap nodded, reaching out to lightly grasp Adam's shoulder.

After Cap left them, Adam looked baffled, then shook his head. "Ready?"

"Whenever you are." Johnny responded.

They climbed in the squad, and Johnny started it up. He studied Adam carefully. Adam seemed exceedingly calm, almost serene. It wasn't like him at all.

Johnny kept his concern to himself, knowing that the more he pestered Adam, the more likely the other man would snap at him. He had no desire to be on the receiving end of that temper.

He pulled into the parking lot of a donut shop, one he and Adam would occasionally drop by if they were on their way back from a run. "Suppose we should grab a dozen while we're here."

Adam smiled a little at that. "It'll soften the blow when we find them in violation again."

Johnny laughed a little as they climbed down and entered the donut shop, the smells of fresh coffee and fried dough filling his nostrils. If there was a heaven, Johnny imagined this is probably what it would smell like.

"Morning, boys." The owner, a short, stout older man, greeted them. "That time again, eh?"

"That's right." Adam replied.

"Come on back." The owner told them. "We've done some work since the last time you came through."

The first thing Johnny noticed was the fire extinguisher that now hung on the wall, and he examined the inspection tag. "Off to a pretty good start, Tom."

Tom nodded, glancing at Adam, who was examining the electrical box. "He's awfully quiet today."

"Oh, it's nothing." Johnny answered casually. "Just one of those days, you know?"

"Don't I know it." Tom shook his head before turning back. "Everything okay back there, Red?"

"Looks good." Adam answered mildly as he returned, making notes on the clipboard. "No violations this time."

Tom beamed, clapping Adam on the shoulder. "Good, good. Now, how about a dozen of my finest on me?"

"Oh, we can't accept gifts, Tom." Johnny told him. "You know that."

"But we'll buy a dozen of your finest to take with us." Adam cut in smoothly.

"You've got it."

They followed Tom to the front of the store, picking a selection of donuts and two cups of coffee and returning to the squad. Adam set the box of donuts on the seat between them as Johnny started it up and they headed toward their next stop.

It was only once they were on the road again that Johnny finally decided to express his concern. "Are you really okay today?"

Adam looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Mostly."

Johnny waited, knowing it wouldn't be long until Adam elaborated further. "I mean, yes, obviously these last few days have been hard. I miss him. I miss him a lot. But I think I'm more relieved than anything else."

He fell silent for a moment, staring out the window before he continued. "I knew I was losing him for a long time. Knew it from that first time I had to take him to the hospital. When he did finally die, it was something of a relief. He wasn't suffering anymore."

Johnny turned that over in his mind before nodding in response. "Suppose if you look at it that way, it's a little easier to take."

"Maybe." Adam concurred. "Not saying it's easy. Knowing he's not going to be there tomorrow…I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"Diane's off tomorrow." Johnny offered. "Could always come over for breakfast. Katie would love to see you."

Adam let out a short huff. "I wouldn't want to impose on your family time."

Johnny scoffed. "I keep telling you, you are family. You're welcome any time, you know that."

Adam seemed to consider the offer. "Do you think Diane would make those blueberry pancakes?"

"For you? Damn right she would." Johnny replied.

"I'll think about it, how about that?" Adam finally told him.

Johnny's concerns eased a little. "I'll let her know you're coming."

Adam threw him a sharp look as they pulled into their next stop. "I said I'd think about it."

"Blueberry pancakes." Johnny reminded him.

Adam huffed. "Those do sound good."

"Then it's settled." Johnny told him as they climbed down and entered the diner.

Adam merely shook his head. "I suppose it is."

Johnny knew it wasn't a permanent solution, but if he could do something to help get Adam through this, he was willing to do it. They had done it often enough for each other over the years. Johnny saw no reason to stop now.

# # #

Roy was sitting in his office when the squad returned, and he listened as Johnny and Adam chatted casually about who knew what. He spotted a box under Adam's arm, probably from the donut shop they had inspected earlier, if Roy wasn't mistaken.

Johnny stuck his head inside the doorway. "Hey Cap, we brought back donuts."

"I figured." Roy answered, glancing up from the reports he was working on. "How'd your inspections go?"

"Pretty good." Johnny answered as he entered the office, hands shoved in his pockets. It was obvious he was moving gingerly, even as he paced Roy's office. "No violations this time. Tried to give us the donuts, but, well, you know."

"I know." Roy nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Something on your mind?"

Johnny sighed heavily, turning and closing the door before easing himself into a chair. "Going in for surgery on this thing. Don't know when just yet."

"Well, you know the drill." Roy told him. "Let me know when and I'll arrange for a replacement."

Johnny looked thoughtful. "Might be a permanent replacement."

"Johnny, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Bridge is coming up awfully damn quick." Johnny replied sharply. "I might not come back from this. I know it, you know it. And even if I do, how long's it gonna be until the next thing that takes me out? Can only beat myself up for so long, you know?"

The way Johnny spoke was concerning. Roy had always thought of Johnny as the one who could handle anything. Johnny bounced, he didn't break.

But Johnny also wasn't the same kid he'd been when he and Roy had first started working together. They'd all gotten older, and Roy knew that he didn't move as easily as he used to, either.

Everyone had their breaking point. Maybe Johnny had finally reached his.

"You don't have to make that decision right now." Roy finally told him. "See how you recover."

Johnny shrugged at that. "Suppose I'll have time to study for that exam while I'm recovering."

"What exam?"

"The one that would qualify me to be an instructor." Johnny answered with a slight smile. "Turns out I'm not as dumb as I thought I was."

"Hell, Johnny, I could have told you that." Roy couldn't help laughing a little. "Matter of fact, I think I did."

Johnny scoffed. "That was a long time ago. I've gotten a little rusty."

"No, you haven't." Roy countered. "You're just as sharp as you ever were. You'll be one hell of an instructor. If you end up making that decision."

"Suppose so." Johnny rose from the chair. "Anyway, donuts."

"Right." Roy got up himself, happy to set aside his paperwork for a moment in favor of a nice piece of fried dough. "Better be a Boston cream in there somewhere."

Johnny's face broke into his usual lopsided grin. "Wouldn't forget those."

Roy and Johnny entered the day room, where the rest of the crew were gathered around the table enjoying their coffee and donuts. "Hey, Cap." Chet called out cheerfully. "Plenty left if you want a couple."

"In a minute." Roy replied, heading toward the coffee maker to pour himself a cup. Adam was just stirring sugar into his own cup as he approached. "How are you doing?" He asked Adam quietly.

Adam paused before nodding. "Doing okay, Cap. Apparently I'm having breakfast at the House of Gage tomorrow."

"Does Diane know that?"

"She will soon enough."

Roy finished pouring his cup and turned to lean on the counter. Chet and Sam were already talking about wedding plans.

"I'm thinking Vegas." Chet was clearly excited about the idea. Sam seemed less so.

"I'm thinking…no." Sam told him, looking up from her book and note cards. "We could go to Vegas for the honeymoon."

"Yeah, but if we have the wedding here, my mom's going to insist that we have it at the family church."

"What's wrong with that?" Sam seemed puzzled.

Chet sighed heavily. "Full Catholic mass. That's the problem."

Sam shook her head. "Do we have to talk about this right now? I just want to get through this final exam."

Chet gave her a kiss on the cheek, rising from the table and picking up both their cups. "You've got this thing in the bag. I don't know what you're worried about."

"Yeah, Sam." Johnny eased himself down into a chair at the table. "You know your stuff. And then once you get through your field work, you'll be ready to roll."

"I'll probably get assigned to another station, won't I?" Sam asked. "It's not as if there's room here."

"Well, actually—" Johnny started.

"Don't listen to him, Sam." Adam immediately cut him off. "He's not going anywhere."

Johnny shot Adam a glare but didn't respond, instead turning back to Sam. "You'll make one hell of a paramedic no matter where you end up."

Sam smiled at that. "Thanks to you."

"Nah, you did all the work." Johnny told her.

"But I also had a good tutor." Sam pointed out.

"Yeah." Chet nodded. "I even learned a few things."

Johnny was clearly a little uncomfortable, but thankfully, Adam seemed to notice as well, quickly changing the subject. "You know, speaking of weddings and such, we owe you a bachelor party, Chester."

"Hey, yeah." Johnny seemed to light up at that. "You remember all those bad ideas you had for mine?"

Mike laughed quietly. "You sure came up with some stinkers, Chet."

A smile slowly spread across Adam's face. "That he did. Babycakes, we owe you big time."

Chet looked from Adam to Johnny and back again. "You guys are scaring me a little."

Adam pushed himself off the counter, crossing to clap Chet hard on the shoulder. "You should be scared. Payback's a bitch."

And with that, Chet and Adam were back at it, giving each other a hard time as they always did, with Johnny and Mike throwing in their own cracks. Eventually Sam seemed to lose patience with them, taking her studies to the couch and away from the table.

They were a motley crew, that was for sure. 'Twits', their former captain had called them on more than one occasion.

Sure, they were twits, but they were his twits. Roy wouldn't have it any other way.