PS27

Johnny tried not to think where he was but Brackett's and McCall's voices sent his heart racing. He remembered his hearing and the courtroom. Both times he thought friends and colleagues would support him only to find he had been wrong. He looked up at the white ceiling tiles and tried to take a deep cleansing breath. Clenching his jaws he prevented a scream from escaping and then closed his eyes, tears rolled down his cheeks.

Roy DeSoto had been the only positive constant when he went through his ordeal, and it was, to see your hard work and dedication, torn down and thrown out like trash. It was another reason, he had protected his friend. Roy had a special dedication and touch for the paramedics and reality had bit him hardest and he didn't want the same for his friend.

Johnny could hear Brackett's frustration but breathing was monumental at this point if he was to work through the pain. He again refused MS and meperdine.

"No drugs," Johnny hissed. "No fucking drugs."

Johnny heard the intake of breath of both doctor and nurse. Not one to use profanity it seemed the only way to get his point across. He heard silence and could tell Brackett was fuming, his eyebrows were twitching and he could hear the doctor's heavy breathing.

"Kel, could I have a minute please," McCall asked.

"Fine," Brackett said, tenseness echoed in that one word.

John heard both the doctor and nurse leave the examination room. At least they were gone and he could breathe a little easier, taking one problem at a time. He wondered where Roy was.

Probably not coming. Those bastard paramedics wouldn't call him. Hell they looked at me like dirt. Vince was doing his job. Face it Gage you got to learn to do stuff on your own and get out of this damn hospital!

Johnny clutched the sheet covering him as he dealt with another painful spasm. Gritting his teeth he waited for McCall and Brackett to return. He was surprised when he heard new voices.

"Johnny this is Dr. Donaldson and Nurse Harriman, they will be taking good care of you," Dixie said, then turned and left him with the unknown hospital staff.

"Hello," Donaldson's young voice introduced himself. "Ah, I see the x-ray tech has arrived. We're going to take some x-rays to make sure you don't have any major damage. I don't suspect we do, but let's be on the safe side, shall we?"

Johnny opened his eyes and looked at the familiar x-ray tech. The tech winked at him and waited.

"We'll be outside, nurse," Donaldson ordered the nurse and they left him alone.

By now, John was shriving from sweating so much and Donaldson's bedside manner seemed lacking, but he couldn't do anything for the moment. The technician worked quietly, he was thankful for that.

"Don't worry, Johnny. I'll put a rush on these. You got ripped," the tech said then the man was gone.

True to his word, Donaldson, nurse, and x-rays showed up 15 minutes later. Then Johnny noticed the time, it was almost 3 a.m. Three fucking A.M. Hopefully his best friend hadn't gotten the message, shift started in a few scant hours. Hopefully he would have a job to go back to; he seemed to have a knack of endless screw-up.

John could hear the x-ray's going up and then silence. He heard foot steps and looked at the smug doctor. He opened his eyes to the blinding lights of the treatment room. So far no one had done anything to stop his shivering or wipe the sweat from his body.

"Well, Mr. Gage, you're lucky. The idiot didn't do any major damage; however, I would like to keep you a few days for observation. Abdomen injuries can be tricky. Is latacane okay? Brackett informed me about your reluctance to use MS," the doctor said, crossed his arms, waiting.

"Yes, you can use latacaine and no MS or meripende, got it?" Johnny said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, Mr. Gage," the doctor sighed. "Nurse, I'd like 7 sutures and give me that shot."

Johnny heard the snap of gloves and then closed his eyes, hoping some of the horrible pain would diminish with latacane. He felt and smelled alcohol and then the benedine. Then a quick shot and then some relieve. Still gritting his teeth and using his breathing exercises he got through the procedure.

The procedure went quickly as hoped. Thankfully, at least the doctor was proficient in suturing.

"All right nurse, finish up. I have more idiots to deal with," Donaldson said, turned and was gone.

"I'll wrap you and see about getting you a blanket. Lucky we didn't have to take your pants," the nurse tskes, tsked and then wrapped him in a thick bandage, turning him on his side as gently as possible.

The only problem was the nurse's hands were cold as ice. Oh, she treated him well enough but he didn't want to be at Rampart or anywhere near Rampart. Once the nurse was done she left, leaving him alone once again. The blanket was thin and he didn't even feel it. Pain was constant but he couldn't trust himself if he was drugged.

Johnny had a lot to think about, how he was going to get himself transferred to St. Francis without Brackett's help. He did have rights so it was just a matter of filling out paperwork and be willing to pay the transport cost. He sighed realizing he never told Roy why he could never ever work with him again or rather in Rampart's jurisdiction.

Another spasm of pain hit as the treatment door opened. He opened his eyes wondering what new stranger would come into his room.

"Johnny!" Roy's worried voice carried as he walked over.

"Roy? I….You didn't have to come," Johnny said with pain.

"Hell no, not when my best friend is hurting, besides I got something for ya," Roy said grinning.

"What's that?" Johnny winced.

"MS. Hey you can take it now I'm here, right?" Roy took the syringe and cleaned the port and injected the drug into his IV.

"Hey Roy, thanks but you got to get me out of here, now," Johnny demanded. "I need to get out of this place."

"Johnny, you just got stabbed," Roy said worriedly and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"No, man I mean transferred-transferred to St. Francis. Don't trust anyone at Rampart," Johnny explained.

"All right, I'll get you to St. Francis, you just sit tight kay?" Roy said and squeezed Johnny's shoulder. "I'll be back."

Johnny nodded as he felt the MS take effect feeing the pain in his belly slowly recede.

Roy walked out of the treatment room with a mission. He spotted Dixie at the nurse's desk.

"Hey Dixie," Roy said to the harried nurse.

"So I take it Johnny accepted the MS?" Dixie asked with concern and worry.

"Yeah, no problemo. Um, have you seen Brackett around?" Roy said and looked intently at the nurse. He bit his lower lip waiting for the answer.

"Yes, I think he's in his office," Dixie said and pointed her head towards the doctor's office.

"Thanks," Roy said and headed towards Brackett's office. He head Dixie calling but he wanted to talk to Brackett.

Knocking on the door he entered Brackett's spacious office. He found the doctor hunched over paperwork. He looked up at Roy.

"Roy."

"Doc."

"I guess you're here for Gage?" Brackett asked as he stood up from behind his desk.

"Yeah, Doc. I have one question for ya," Roy said forcibly.

"What's that?" Brackett asked and crossed his arms.

"Johnny wants transferred to St. Francis. The only thing I need to know is if you're going to help me or not," Roy asked and willing to stand his ground.