PS6
Roy opened the door of his house; it was quiet except for the ticking of the clock on the mantle and the drip of the coffee maker. Finding his wife in the kitchen, her back turned away from him, he hugged her, tickled her ears and kissed her on the neck.
"Bad shift?" She turned around and looked at his tired eyes.
"Yes and no. Brice can be a trial sometimes and I could hardly wait to see Johnny again. Where is he?" Roy looked around for his friend.
"Still asleep, Roy. You didn't tell me how skinny he had gotten," Joanne frowned. "We'll have to fatten him up, you know." She kissed Roy hard on the lips.
Hearing the kids come down, the parents stopped what they were doing.
"Hey Dad," Chris went over to his dad and hugged him.
"Hey Sport," he hugged him tightly.
"Aw Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. Isn't it cool Uncle Johnny's staying with us?" Chris sat at the dining room table.
Missy came right behind her brother, hugged her father, and sat across from her brother.
They were halfway through breakfast when John made his appearance.
"Sure smells good," the dark haired man made his way over to Roy. "Hey there, pally."
"Hey Junior, glad you're up. The guys were asking about you," Roy smiled as Johnny sat down and Joanne brought him breakfast.
"Oh. Should I be flattered or annoyed?" Johnny took a sip of his coffee and rubbed at his eyes.
"Um, flattered. You know they were the ones who wanted me to find you. I coulda killed Chet and . . ." Roy's eyes flared at the apparent lineman's betrayal.
"Hey, it wasn't his fault Roy. I asked him to keep it a secret. Wasn't the way I wanted to leave you know, and . . ." Johnny went back to eating.
It was hours later and the kids were at school. Joanne had errands to run and the men were on the backyard deck sipping coffee.
"Well Johnny I'm so glad you're back before long we'll be working again and . . ."
John stood up and looked at his former partner.
"Partners, huh? And I'm the crazy one. No Roy it ain't gonna happen; they're not going to let me ride with the darling and poster boy of the department." John stood there hands on his hips, lips pursed together.
"What do you mean, Johnny? I have a partner I don't like and . . ."
"Course they gave you Brice," Gage shook his head, "and hoped you'd transfer or quit."
"Why do you say that?" Roy now stood up; angry at his friend would think such a thing.
"Because they had to punish you in someway for being my partner Roy, but being the good fireman you were you didn't raise a stink and they got their point across. And there is no way in hell I'll be going to 51, just some deep dark hole, like I told you before," Johnny sighed and crossed his arms.
"But . . ."
"Hey Roy, I'm back to stay okay. Don't worry and the crap they throw at me, I'll wipe off and throw it back, 'kay?" Johnny grinned.
"Okay,"Roy grinned. "You're still one of the best."
"Yeah well there is one problem Roy," Johnny turned and looked at his best friend. "I'm afraid I don't have any manuals to study from and . . ."
"I'll take care of it Johnny. You just go to the Chief Engineer and give him hell for me." Roy winked.
"Yeah Roy, I'll send him your best," Johnny joined in his laughter.
For the next three days John enjoyed his time with the DeSoto's. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed his best friend and buddy. Joanne made sure he had plenty to eat and what little clothes he had were clean. Offering to help around the house, he was starting to get restless. Roy went to work and the former paramedic worked on the back yard to take the edge off. Sooner or later he would have to make an appointment to see the Chief and found out how badly he wanted to be a firefighter/PM again. His heart had fought with his head the three day trip to coming back to LA.
It had been a very long week and he had an appointment with the Chief. He dressed in his best jeans and shirt and made sure his unruly hair looked decent. He wouldn't shave until necessary and he enjoyed the thought of irritating the senior officials.
Waving, he climbed on his bike and made the drive to headquarters; instinctively he knew how to get there. After a long 18 months he still had LA in his soul. Pulling up to a parking space, he got off his bike and tried to get his ragged breathing under control.
Walking into the building he saw a lot of familiar faces but they didn't recognize him. He'd admit he grew the mustache, beard and long hair to hide. The press and the department had been ruthless, making him the perfect scapegoat for an imperfect system. His hands shaking, he wiped them on his jeans, smiled, and headed to the secretary.
"Um John Gage to see the Chief," the dark haired man spoke confidently, ignoring the rolling waves of uncertainty in his stomach.
The secretary looked him over like something from outer space and told him the Chief would be with him shortly.
Grabbing a seat, John took out his copy of legal documents, having no doubts they had received copies along with all the concerned parties. Crossing his legs, he absentmindedly picked up a latest copy of JEMS and leafed through as he watched a few men in suits make their way to the chief's office. No doubt the legal eagles that had gotten him canned in the first place. He was glad at least to see them eat crow.
"You can go in now," the secretary stated.
Putting the magazine down, he opened the door to the very large office of the chief. It was filled with numerous citations, plaques and all things fire related. It reminded him of the high priced lawyer Roy and he had to hire when they were accused of stealing money from a victim. They were vindicated then and now he was vindicated.
"Have a seat, Gage," Chief Gates pointed to a chair. "Coffee?"
"No thank you," Gage kept his voice even and cool, thinking of the many times he had talked to stressed out victims, and not needing the extra caffeine to jangle his already fragile nerves.
Gates didn't seem the least surprised at his appearance, no doubt warned by his secretary and maintaining his fireman demeanor. Cool heads always prevailed.
"Well we all know why we're here," Gates looked at him. "I'm sure you remember Mr. Hightower and Mr. Fitz."
"Yes," John looked coolly at the two lawyers. "How could I ever forget them."
Both lawyers flinched and then kept their courtroom faces.
"Be that as it may, after discussing your case with our legal department," Gates sounded crestfallen. "We have no choice but to reinstate you to your original rank and salary, baring recent raises and such."
"All right," John smiled hearing the golden words.
"Of course this is dependent on your requalification as both paramedic and firefighter. Also, it is up to our discretion to assign you to any station where there is an opening or a floating position until there is an official opening since your previous station is completely staffed." Gates clasped his hands on his desk, impatiently.
John smiled, knowing what would come next.
"Do you agree to these terms?" Gates looked at the lawyers and the John.
"Yes, however, when can I transfer?" Johnny looked back at Gates, knowing department policy.
"Well seeing as you are a returning county employee you have to wait the mandatory year before being reassigned and that's if, and only if there is an opening and the current cap and crew will accept you. This is straight from the manual," the Chief stated.
"All right then. I agree to that. Now what?" Johnny leaned towards the big desk.
"Well since you have been out of the fire department for some time and the settlement requires us to give you satisfactory time for certification we have decided on four months to determine your eligibility to be reinstated," Gates held up his hand expecting something.
"Seems reasonable," John grinned again, seeing it unnerve his soon-to-be superior.
"All right then, we will give you four months to schedule both tests and you can also do it before the agreed upon time. However, you only have one chance Gage. One chance. Do I make myself clear?" Gates looked at the lawyers for confirmation.
"Yes sir I understand and I'll let you know when I'm ready to be tested," Gage stood up.
"One other thing, Gage. You'll be expected to meet the requirements for facial hair concerning the safety issues. Any variations can and will be subject to the rules and regulations of this department," Gates said gruffly putting him on notice.
"Yes sir. See ya in four months. Gentlemen," Gage shook each man's hand and left the office, grinning like a hyena. Walking out of the building his heart was much lighter and his fears lessened.
Getting on his bike, he gunned the engine and headed over to 51 to break the news to Roy. Seeing the familiar building lifted his tired heart even more. He was going back to the thing he loved most, helping people and fighting fires.
Pulling his bike into the outer office he found Hank slumped over paperwork, Stanley's normal position when not fighting fires.
"Hey Cap," Johnny grinned.
Hank looked up, stunned at the hippie on his doorstep. "Who are you?" he asked, getting up from his chair and approaching the apparently lost man.
"Hey it's me, John Gage," Johnny whispered conspiratorially.
"Hell, I didn't even recognize you," Hank offered a hand. "Glad to have you back."
"Glad to be back. Roy around?" John grinned again, waiting to tell his friend the good news, without telling him all the details until later.
"Yeah, they're all in the dayroom. Good to see you John," Stanley patted him on the back as he walked to the dayroom.
"Hey," Johnny waved to the assembled men.
Roy immediately got up and looked at Gage.
"How'd it go?" Roy's intense looked forced John to smile.
"It went great pally, just great," Johnny grinned.
"Hey aren't going to introduce us," Chet came in from the bay. "Never thought you'd know anyone like this Roy."
Roy looked offended. "Know anyone like who, Chet?" The paramedic crossed his arms.
"Like, man a hippie. You know," Kelly backpedaled.
"Well Chet, there are a lot of things you don't know about me and you know what they say about assumptions, don't you?" Roy's eyes flared.
"Um, no," Chet choked.
"Don't assume anything," Johnny winked, " because you'll make an ass out of you and me that's what Chet."
"Johnny is that you under all that hair," Marco came over to inspect the visitor.
"Yeah it's me Marco. Can Roy and I talk alone, guys?" Gage looked at his former shift mates except for one.
"Oh Johnny this is Craig Brice," Brice stood up from his book and looked at Gage.
"We met at a conference." Brice proclaimed.
"Yeah well that's nice. Roy," John pushed his friend out to the backyard.
"All right Johnny what's up?" Roy leaned against his car as Johnny stuck his hands in his jean pockets.
"I got four months and one shot Roy. Their giving me one fricken' shot." Johnny looked at the ground.
"No problem," Roy smiled. "Look I'll exercise with you since I'm getting out of shape and help you study."
"But Roy . . ."
"I have books Johnny besides you were helping at the clinic. It will all come back to you. You'll see," Roy patted John on the shoulder. "Hungry? I think Mike is fixing chicken.
"Of course I'm hungry; I couldn't eat going to the damn appointment."
"Good deal, let's go."
Tones sounded.
"I'll see ya at home tomorrow, Johnny. We'll celebrate tomorrow night." Roy waved as he made his way to the squad.
The sirens sent John's heart racing and he bit back his fears.
