PS15a

Johnny sat on his bed, dreading going out into the living room. He heard the TV and the vacuum cleaner; life was going on. Sighing, he pulled out some clean clothes deciding a shower would definitely change his attitude. Slipping into the bathroom, Gage looked at his blood shot eyes and the grimace on his face. Getting undressed he turned on the shower to let the last twenty four hours run down the drain. Climbing out of the shower and putting on clean clothes he felt like a new person and his stomach growled in hunger.

He walked out to the living room. Joanne and Roy were snuggling on the couch and he was intruding. Roy jumped up from the coach.

"Hey," Roy called softly.

"Hey, um sorry, but I'm hungry," Gage headed towards the kitchen and Joanne got up from the couch. "No, I think I can manage without destroying your kitchen Joanne."

"All right, but let me know if you need any help," Joanne smiled and Johnny shuffled to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, the tired man pulled out the makings of a sandwich and soup. He would have to pay back the DeSoto's someday. December seemed a lifetime away. He finished making his lunch and stood at the counter eating, not wanting to intrude on his friends. He would have to make it up to them.

"You okay in here?" Roy poked his head in the kitchen, making Johnny jump.

"Yeah I'm fine," Gage said with his mouth stuffed with food.

"You know you could bring it to the dining room," Roy stood there hands on his hips.

"I'm good Roy, really. Go back to your wife," John ordered. "I'm fine."

Roy nodded, headed back to the living room. He and his wife knew Johnny wasn't fine.

#######

The rest of the day found John and Roy at odds with each other and themselves. Johnny wanted badly to tell Roy his new station but feared the man's reaction and the point was moot. He was stuck there for the duration or until the department found a way to get rid of him.

Roy kept stealing glances at his friend, wondering what it was like in the hell-hole of a station. There was truth to some rumors although he generally didn't listen to them, much to his regret. He had heard rumors of Gage's transgressions but refused to believe the fire department would be so callous and disregard Gage's paramedic abilities and contributions to the department. Unfortunately cold hard reality had hit them both.

"Um, pass the potatoes," John asked as dinner seemed to drag.

Chris passed the potatoes, "So Uncle Johnny how do you like your new station?" The boy looked up with wonder. He had known John since he and his fathers became partners and still found it strange he know longer worked with his father.

"Huh?" Johnny cleared his throat wondering how to answer the question without giving anything away. "It was all right Chris, you know, one station is just like any other."

"What about your new partner? I remember when Dad came home after you left. I don't think he liked any of them did you?" Chris looked at his now red faced father.

"Well Chris," Roy sank, "everyone is different, just like you can't be friends with everyone at school."

Johnny played with his food and then took a bite of a biscuit. He was better with his mouth full so he couldn't say something in error. Yeah, the guys he worked with were real winners, ready to tear into him so they could go higher up on the food chain. All of his shift mates were barely hanging onto their jobs and Gage was served to them on a platter making the wolves hungrier. Yeah, his station was a real winner.

"I know Dad," Chris rolled his eyes, "but I remember how Mom talked about Uncle Johnny."

"So you've been holding out on me partner," Johnny grinned, "So Chris why don't you tell me what your Mom said about me."

Chris turned beet red, "Can I be excused? I'm done."

"Sure son, go ahead," Roy grinned as Missy disappeared with her brother.

"John Gage, you're horrible," Joanne teased him; "You know exactly how I felt about you in the beginning."

"Sorry Joanne, I couldn't resist. I'll make it up to him," Johnny helped start to clear the table.

"Johnny you don't have to do this," Joanne nudged him away.

"Yes I do. I'll do the dishes, you spend time with your family. I insist," Gage turned on his charm and Joanne acquiesced leaving Gage with cleanup duty.

Johnny heard the TV being turned on as the family settled down. If it wasn't a school night, Gage was tempted to make some popcorn. He was definitely treating the family to a Dodgers game and any thing they might want, like tickets to Disneyland or something else. Roy had no idea what a tremendous favor he was doing for him.

Roy glanced towards the kitchen as heard running water and the familiar clink and clang of dishes being done. He felt guilty that Johnny was all alone doing dishes until Joanne quietly nibbled at his ear. He turned his full attention to her, forgetting his friend's problems for the moment.

#######

Turning out the lights, Johnny had to steel himself for another shift. Roy knew, he thought, he had to know; firefighters were big gossipers and his reputation had preceded him. Sighing, he slid further into bed, hoping the morning wouldn't come quickly.

#######

Roy slammed his locker shut and stared at Brice's locker, formerly Gage's. If anyone deserved to be kicked out of the paramedics it was his anal retentive rule book talking partner who did. The man had enough compassion for people to fill a thimble half full.

"DeSoto," Brice stared at his entranced partner. "DeSoto?"

Roy silently fumed as he heard Brice's voice. It was going to be another hard shift.