PS11
As Johnny roared away he knew Joanne would be calling Roy about now. He was sorry he couldn't give his friend more information, but he just couldn't, no, didn't want to burden his friend. God, they had done so much for him. Each mile to headquarters he prayed he would be a paramedic again.
#######
The phone ringing at the station made everyone stop. Roy was in the dayroom and took the call.
"Fireman Roy DeSoto, Station 51," Roy answered as he leaned against the wall. It had been a slow morning; lunch was done and he still couldn't forget about his friend's predicament.
"Honey," Joanne said breathlessly, "headquarters called for Johnny."
"Headquarters?" Roy swallowed and thought of the two outcomes possible. Suddenly he found it hard to talk.
"Yes, headquarters, like Los Angeles County Fire Department headquarters. What is with you two today?" Joanne sighed exasperated. "They wanted Johnny to come as soon as possible. He's headed there right now. Isn't it great, Roy? Johnny's going to be a paramedic again."
Joanne heard silence. "Roy, did you hear me?"
"Yeah honey, I heard you," Roy said quietly. "I'll call you later, babe. Bye."
"Bye," Joanne hung up the phone. She didn't understand; her husband and Johnny had been acting like they were going to a funeral and not Johnny getting his life back.
#######
Johnny pulled his motorcycle in the parking lot and sat there for a minute or two. His whole life was in the building, and like it or not, he had to face it. Finding his center, he plastered a smile on his face and headed inside.
Nothing had changed; he could hear typing and phones ringing in the background. Walking up to the counter he looked around and the same clerk he saw four months ago came up.
"Hello," Johnny said. "I'm here to see the Chief." Just like that he had said it. "I'm John Gage."
"Please have a seat," she said succinctly. "I tell him you're here." She quickly disappeared into the offices.
However, this time he couldn't 'have a seat'; he was way too nervous, but he couldn't let them know. So he sat, closed his eyes and calmed his racing heart before he saw about his future. His name was called and he walked quietly to the chief's office. Sitting down at the chair offered, the man's expression was unreadable.
"Gage," he said gruffly. His eyes narrowed as he looked at him. His mouth wore a deepening frown.
"Chief," Johnny returned his rejoinder and the man's expression was not lost on the future, he hoped, paramedic.
"I'm sure you know why you're here," the man reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a large manila envelope. "Well you passed," he slid the large envelope and had a sour expression on his face.
Gage reached for it and put his hand on it. But not before the Chief's hand was on the envelope and he started to pull it towards him.
"But there's one more thing, Gage. In there you will find the rules and regulation handbook. I suggest you read it backwards and forwards and know it by heart. Because Gage if you break one rule or one regulation you are out on your sorry ass. No hearing, nothing. Are we clear on this?" the man practically growled at him.
"Crystal," the man released the envelope and Johnny pulled it towards him, it was hardest time not slapping a big silly grin on his face. He stood up, looked at the chief and offered his right hand. "Thank you."
"Dismissed, and I'd be more than happy to find you in my office again when you get canned, forever," the man grumbled and his hand waved Gage away.
Moving slowly out of the building, Johnny clutched the heavy envelope close to him, afraid if he dropped it everything would disappear. At his cycle he opened the envelope and pulled out his badge, paramedic pin and his name tag, along with certificates and license. The heavy regulation book made him sweat but he would deal with it later. He found his station assignment; he had a week until he had to report on the A shift and then he looked at the station number, 118. He blew out his breath. You'd think they were going to roll out the red carpet for you boy! Gage knew he couldn't tell Roy his station yet. He could imagine Roy having a coronary right on the spot. Station 118, in the garden spot of the county and a reputation to go with it. No doubt the key and code had something to do with the location of the station.
#######
Roy paced the bay wondering if his friend would decide to make an appearance, good or bad. He could tell the other guys knew he was on edge; the calm cool headed paramedic wasn't calm or cool today. The bad thing was Roy knew Johnny too well, while his friend was sold down the river, he felt somehow responsible. Gage had been complaining about lousy apartments along with nosey neighbors, so he had suggested Johnny start saving for a down payment on a house. That had led to the overtime that led to his friend's dismissal and ruin.
#######
Johnny sighed as pulled up his cycle to Station 51, the doors were closed meaning both the engine and squad were in. Maybe if he played his cards right, Roy would be just so damn glad he passed he wouldn't ask him where his bid went. Yeah that was it; Roy was so wound up now just telling him he was back would make him happier than a pig in mud.
Gage strolled in the day room and found it just like he had left it almost 18 months ago. Roy was at the table reading, Chet on the couch with Henry, Marco humming as he cooked and Mike going over the Captain's manual, no doubt the cap was in the office doing his never ending paperwork. He didn't really care where Brice was.
"Hey, don't I get a hello?" Johnny grinned as everyone suddenly became aware of his presence.
"Johnny?" Roy jumped up from the table knocking over the chair." Johnny, so what happened?" He was almost nose to nose to his friend trying to read what had gone on at headquarters.
"Um, Roy could we get some privacy, like the yard?" Gage thumbed towards the yard and left the crew alone.
"Uh sure," Roy nodded, sticking his hands in pockets trying to control his heart and breathing.
Once outside Johnny took a nice long deep breath, stuck his hands in his pockets and then looked at the ground.
"Oh God, Johnny I'm so sorry… I …"
"I passed Roy!" Johnny looked up with a big smile plastered on his face and stared Roy in the eyes. "I made it!"
"Really!" DeSoto could hardly contain himself and gave Johnny a quick man hug. "Damn it, I knew you'd pass, junior. You one of the best damn paramedics in the department."
"Yeah I made it Roy. I made it," Johnny shook his head the reality finally set in.
"Well have to celebrate you know," Roy had a large grin plastered on his face. "All the guys a big fricken' barbecue to celebrate you coming back to the department and you were right you showed those bastards!"
"Roy, um no, just us," Gage pointed to Roy, "You know, just your family. Not just yet okay?" Johnny looked at him expectantly, feeling numb and excited at the same time. Besides with a big party it might slip out where he was and he really didn't want Roy to find out just yet.
"Sure Johnny," Roy was confused, "anything you say." He still had a silly grin on his face. "Well let's go tell the gu—"
Tones sounded ending their discussion.
Johnny watched in expectation as his friend ran back to the bay as both the engine and squad went to the call. He let out a sigh of relief. He had dodged the bullet but not for very long; he knew his best friend would want to know where his station was.
Going to the map in the empty bay, John found his new station, right where he thought it was. The station's rep was where the hard burnout cases went or the ones just shy of being thrown out. The union had some power and Johnny's luck was running true to form. No, they couldn't put him in a semi marginal station and wait for him to screw up; they wanted to make sure he screwed up or was killed in the process. Roy and he had heard the many stories from the war zone station but chose like everyone else to ignore them. Well partner, I'm about to find out if all the stories are true.
Climbing back on his cycle he headed back to the DeSoto's and thought of his meager bankroll. He needed uniforms and money for the buy-in for meals, plus he wouldn't get his first paycheck for a month. Thoughts filled his head as he pulled into the garage of his best friend's house and he took the packet out of the saddlebags. He held it close as he walked towards the front door. Joanne opened the door and let him in.
"Well?" Joanne looked at him.
"I'm in! Joanne I'm in!" Johnny hugged Joanne hard.
"That's wonderful," tears fell from Joanne's eyes. "We have to celebrate when Roy's home."
"Yeah we do, just us," Johnny smiled and held tightly to the envelope. "I've got some things to do Joanne. Thanks for everything," he quickly headed to his room.
#######
Roy could hardly contain himself as he walked into Rampart. Their victim just needed looking over but he had a big grin on his face. Brice didn't see any reason to state the obvious in his words, "Gage was always an excellent paramedic, and nothing would dispel it." That was true, but he hadn't been living with Johnny for the past four months.
However, seeing the staff at Rampart stopped him in his tracks and he wondered how much they knew. Brackett administered the test and he couldn't really trust him to not say anything. He headed straight towards the coffee and waited for Brice.
"Hi Roy," Dixie smiled and looked at the paramedic, "Good day?"
Roy nodded, not daring to open his mouth and say anything. Johnny had been jumpy enough with Brackett. His first loyalty was to his best friend.
"Good, real good. Um, Roy," Dixie bit her lower lip, her eyes not quite meeting his. "Roy there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
"Roy," Brice showed up. "I..."
"Let's go partner," Roy grabbed Brice by the sleeve. "See ya Dixie." He and Brice made it quickly down the corridor to the squad.
"Really DeSoto, what was that all about?" Brice was ticked, so far his partner had been pushing him around."
"So tell me Brice, what have you told Dixie about Johnny?" Roy asked as he pulled the squad out of the parking lot.
"Why do you assume I told her anything?" Brice said in a huff, surprised at the accusation. "Besides it's not as if it's a secret."
"Yeah well," Roy looked at his partner. "I prefer you don't say anything about Johnny."
"Roy I have every right to talk about Gage since I replaced him," Brice looked sternly at his partner. "Gage may have been one of the first paramedics but he's just like the rest of us. Besides I heard them whispering his name at Rampart."
Roy inhaled and started coughing. "Brice, when did you start eavesdropping?" He was shocked at the man's behavior.
"How else do you expect me to know anything around here? You guys act like I'm not even there. I realize my behavior and standards are higher than most. Be that as it may DeSoto word is Gage is going to 118." Brice stated flatly without a touch of emotion.
"One eighteen!" Roy gasped. "One Eighteen! No way in hell would they send him there Brice," he said forcefully. "Johnny would tell me."
"Well that's what I heard, now if you'll excuse me," Brice slammed the door of the squad leaving Roy alone.
One eighteen. That fricken' hell hole. Of course Johnny would tell me. I'm his best friend, god we've known each other for years. One eighteen! Aren't they ever going to give him a freaking break? Shit! This just can't be happening.
#######
Johnny woke up to the smell of coffee and finding the rule book still on his chest. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, pulled his jeans and shirt on, and headed to the kitchen.
The kids had finished eating and said there goodbyes. However his friend hadn't shown up yet.
"Roy's working a double," Joanne set a cup of coffee in front of him as he sat down at the table.
"Oh," Johnny took a sip. "That's too bad. Guess well celebrate tomorrow, huh?" He was lost in his thoughts of uniforms and other gear he would need.
"Well after you're done with breakfast, we need to get you some uniforms. Roy needs a few new shirts and I promise him to get some today. You'll probably need some new boots too," Joanne mused all ready going over the list her head she and Roy had discussed.
"But Joanne," Johnny protested.
"Hurry up, we have to be back by three," she shooed him away.
Gage knew it was useless to protest so he quickly ate, took a quick shower and presented himself to Joanne.
"Good, let's go," Joanne said with a mission before Johnny could change his mind.
Climbing in the car with Joanne, Johnny could see she was beaming, but he couldn't help it either. The short ride to the uniform store seemed like an eternity. He had a plan he hoped it would work.
Slamming the car doors the couple made their way into the large uniform store. Police officer, security guards, highway and firefighter uniforms filled the store. On one side there were boots and shoes on the other uniforms and all the accessories that went with them. Before long he had only gotten the two shirts and two pairs of pants his meager budget could afford. Luckily he found shirts with the paramedic patch, and he still had kept his belt. His boots had seen better days but with the right shine you wouldn't be able to tell.
Unfortunately, he hadn't counted on Joanne's determination as she called him to the register and plunked down more uniforms and a pair of boots.
"I thought Roy just needed some new shirts?" Johnny looked confused at the large stack of clothing.
"Oh he did; the rest is for you," Joanne smiled taking the shirts and pants from him and placing them with the rest.
The clerk apparently knew Joanne and didn't ask for any I.D. as she paid for her purchases with a credit card.
"I don't know about you Johnny, but shopping always makes me hungry," Joanne gently took his arm, held the large bag of clothes and guided him out of the store. She started the car and they headed for home.
The ride was quiet as Johnny mentally calculated how much he owed the DeSoto's and whistled to himself.
"Joanne about that diner up there?" Johnny pointed to a little diner he remembered. It was still there and Joanne deserved a real lunch not some fast food.
Joanne gave him a pained look.
"I can afford it Joanne, please let me do this!" Johnny gave his famous grin hoping to melt his friend's heart.
"All right Johnny, just this once," she pulled into the diner.
Gage quickly got out and opened her door and then the door to the diner. It wasn't really crowded and they were ushered to a booth. Once seated their orders given to the waitress, Johnny found himself playing with the silverware.
"Johnny," Joanne looked intently on her husband's best friend. "We have to talk."
Johnny looked up confused. "Look Joanne I'll move out tomorrow if you want me too. I've known I've been a burden on you and your family. Just say the word and I'm gone." He knew this would come eventually.
She shook her head. "Johnny that's the furthest thing from my mind. I just want to say thank you."
"You're thanking me," Johnny splayed his hand across his chest. "I don't understand."
The waitress served their food and each attempted to eat something.
"Johnny," Joanne speared a leaf of lettuce from her salad. "You don't understand. After you left it was like Roy had died."
Gage looked stricken and set down his burger. "Joanne I had no idea. It was just better for me, you know."
"Yes, but ... Roy would never tell you, but after you got suspended he just wasn't the same. You gave me back my husband, Johnny. You brought joy back to his heart. Yes, Roy can be serious but he had lost his playfulness until he picked you as a partner. Yes, he would complain and moan about you when he got home but it was with caring, not really complaining. The kids love you and well, we were really a shambles after you left." Joanne sighed hoping she didn't sound too whiny or forlorn.
The new paramedic sat there stunned, suddenly not being able to eat, he had tried protecting his friend. He was to blame for his mistakes, no one else.
"Johnny," Joanne reached for his hand. "In some small way Roy blamed himself for your troubles. He told me he told you to save a down payment, that's why you were working so much overtime."
"But…" Johnny protested.
"Yes I know it wasn't his fault but he felt so helpless since you wouldn't let him help." Joanne took a sip of her tea. "It's just…when Roy found out where you lived he was really torn, but he couldn't tell you Johnny. He was afraid to put pressure on you," Joanne sighed again, hoping Johnny would understand.
"Joanne," Johnny sighed and then looked at her. "It was my decision for everything. Roy…I was trying to protect Roy from my crap. He…I know how I am sometimes and Roy has nothing to feel guilty about. I'll talk to him, 'kay?"
She nodded thankful Johnny was so understanding. "Well we'd better eat," she smiled happy to see Johnny back at the job he loved.
"I'll say," Johnny laughed, "I'm starving!"
