PS2

John blew hot air from his mouth into his frozen hands. At a truck stop right outside of Vegas, Nevada, he dialed an oh so familiar number.

"DeSoto residence," Roy answered.

"Hey Roy," John smiled as the voice brought comfort to his tired and worn body.

"So where are you at Johnny?" DeSoto's voice broke the din of Joanne calling her hellos along with the kids.

"I'm outside of Vegas," Johnny informed his old partner.

"Oh," Roy's voice got quiet.

"Hey Roy you didn't change your mind did you?" Johnny's heart fell; he was down to the basics, fifty dollars in his pocket and enough gas money to get to LA. He had all his worldly belongings in two saddlebags on his motorcycle. His sheepskin jacket along with three sweaters did nothing to break the cold winter desert.

"No, it's just I work tomorrow. I wanted to be home when you got here," Roy's voice wavered.

"Um, hey no problem I could..."

"You'll do no such thing. The guest room is ready and the rest of the family is dying to see you again. I'll just call from the station to see if you got in all right, okay?" Roy's voice brightened.

"Um, sure Roy. Did you tell Joanne what I look like? I wouldn't want the neighbors to get upset and..." Gage ran his hand over his beard.

"To hell with the neighbors Johnny. There just a bunch of busybodies. Anyway, I have to go dinner's ready and I'll see you day after tomorrow. I can hardly wait," Roy was smiling.

"You just want to get back at me for the chair Roy," Johnny laughed.

"No, just wait until you have two kids jumping into your bed. Anyway, talk to you later," Roy's voice hung there.

"Yeah, bye see you day after." Johnny heard the coins click and he looked at the vast empty desert and wondered if he had made the right choice.

The best he could manage was a run down hotel off the strip. Afraid of what he would find underneath the covers, he took his sleeping bag and laid it on top. His stomach growled but he didn't want to blow his money on a simple thing as food.

****

The bright desert sunlight and fierce wind made it a difficult journey to LA. John's small motorcycle seemed to have a mind of his own as he moved in and out of semis on the 15. He was still chilled and hoped the DeSoto's hadn't made a mistake having him as a houseguest. His legal papers were secured in his saddlebags and he knew he was closer as he made his way onto the 5 and rush hour traffic. A horrible misnomer if there every was one. With stop and go traffic, Gage felt he had inhaled all the fumes in LA.

Pulling up in the DeSoto driveway, Johnny felt his stomach twist in knots. He thought he would never see this place again. The front door opened and he was in a deep, hard hug before he knew.

"Johnny. It's so good to see you!" Joanne smiled and hugged him again.

"Hey Joanne, I'm not…" Gage blushed.

"You don't think I ever hugged a stinky man before Johnny? After some of the fires you and Roy fought I thought it would never get out of your hair. Well grab your things and come on in. You can take a shower while I make us lunch," Joanne stood as Gage grabbed his two saddlebags, slung them over his shoulder and followed his hostess into the house.

"Um, I don't know if Roy told you this. But thanks I mean it and…" John followed her in as the door shut and he stopped cold in the living room. Memories flooded his taxed brain and he had to stop tears from running down his face.

"Now go on you know where everything is. Let me know what you need washed. I know the kids are going to love it and I think you should take a nap before they come home. Knowing them they want to get reacquainted with their Uncle again. Now go," Joanne pushed him towards the bathroom.

Shaking his head, Joanne was a firefighter's wife and a take charge woman. Going into the bathroom he found some clean towels, washcloth and a bathrobe. The hot, moist water washed three days of dirt and grime from his body. Stealing quickly to the guest room where he stashed his bags he found the cleanest set of clothes he could.

Walking barefoot into the dining room he found lasagna, salad and garlic bread. He had a place setting with milk and coffee.

"Will you set and eat!" the brunette chided.

Sitting down John didn't stop eating until after his three helpings.

"Oh and Missy made oatmeal raisin for her favorite uncle," Joanne laid a plate piled high with cookies.

"Honestly Joanne I couldn't eat another bite and…"

"Mom, whose motorcycle is out front," Chris yelled and then stopped. "Uncle Johnny is that you?"

Standing up, Chris took a step back. "Sorry I didn't mean to…OMPH."

The boy slammed into his uncle. "I'm so glad you're home Uncle Johnny." Chris squeezed tighter.

"Uncle Johnny?" Missy said nervously.

"It's him! It's him!" Chris comforted his sister.

Before long the children had wrapped themselves around their adopted uncle and wouldn't let him go.