PS29

Johnny waved goodbye to Roy as he headed out of his room. He couldn't talk his best friend at leaving until he was settled into a room. He had a sneaking suspicion Roy and Fishburn were in cahoots.

Physically and mentally exhausted, Johnny gave in and slept through most of the day. He never even felt the nurses taking his vitals or checking his IVs. Even his thin hospital gown didn't prevent him from getting much needed sleep. His arm thrown over his eyes he fell into peaceful oblivion.

Thankfully Roy didn't show up in the morning, Johnny hoped his friend got some much needed sleep. Mentally reviewing the shift schedule he knew Roy would have three days off. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a comfortable position in bed, no matter how he lowered his bed or moved his pillows he felt his belly being pulled at.

Things didn't look brighter in the morning, Johnny figured this was his third strike and he would be out on his ass. Thankfully he knew he could find a paramedic job as far north as Sacramento and far south as San Diego. After breakfast he turned the TV on at a low volume, seeing he didn't have a roommate. He lay there brooding waiting for the final blow.

It wasn't long before his captain walked through his room door. His superior was dressed in civvies; Johnny thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

"Gage," Cap said smartly. His look of concern and worry was new for him, Martinez; he thought didn't give a rat's ass for anyone but himself.

"Cap," John heavily sighed unconsciously.

"How you doin?" Cap came closer to his bed.

"As well as can be expected. I guess I know why you're here, huh." John stated bluntly, hoping to ease the pain as he noted the serious look on his superior's face.

"You do, do you?" Cap smiled. "Well the reason I'm here is to see how you are and how long you are going to be out."

"You mean I'm not fired?" Johnny said in shock.

"No. Did you know this woman had a crazy ex boyfriend?" Cap crossed his arms.

"Well no, I mean she didn't tell me anything and well…" Johnny's hands went up in the air in vexation.

"Good, then how long Gage?" Cap said in all seriousness.

"Um, a couple of weeks I guess," Johnny shrugged, his belly pulled at the movement, making him grimace slightly.

"Well, make it sooner; it's harder than hell to get replacements at our station. Take care," Cap waved and left him alone.

Johnny finally let out the breath he was holding, he still had a job. He still had a job.

After lunch he got another visitor, LA County Sheriff Vince Howard.

"Hey Vince," Johnny smiled but knew Vince was here on official business. He fidgeted under the sheets, knowing whatever Vince had to say it wasn't good.

"You know Johnny you're a hard man to find. I went to Rampart and they told me you transferred here," Vince came closer to his bed. Vince's frown was deeper and his eyes spoke of sadness.

"Yeah well, um, it's complicated. Figured you're here to take my statement?" Johnny said and looked grim.

"Not exactly, we had enough witnesses at the party," Vince reassured him as he patted his pocket with his notebook.

"The girl, you found her then?" Johnny asked hopefully.

Vince sighed. "Murder -suicide."

"Oh," Johnny pulled up his blanket and suddenly felt chilled. His heart sank, he had been hoping for a happy ending. But so far his luck hadn't held out.

"Johnny you didn't know she had a restraining order against the guy. No one at the party knew. So it wasn't your fault," Vince patted Johnny on the shoulder. "You get some rest, okay."

"Yeah Vince and thanks for letting me know," Johnny frowned and watched Vince leave. He definelty wasn't in the mood for any visitors.

Johnny pulled up his covers, sunk into his bed and fell into blissful sleep.

The nurse woke him up for dinner. He looked at the unappetizing meal, preferring to drink his milk, coffee and ate his roll. Moving his plate on his food he didn't notice his visitor.

"Oh I'm sorry, am I interrupting your meal?" A feminine invoice inquired.

Johnny looked up from his congealing meal to a pretty face. She had deep brown eyes; her brown hair fell around her bright smile. She wore blue jeans, a red peasant top and tennis shoes. Her white canvas handbag hung carelessly off her shoulder.

"Um no, you're not," Johnny said and pushed the offending plate away.

"I heard you were hurt and I brought you these," she handed him a few magazines.

"Um, thanks," Johnny grinned still trying to place the vision of loveliness in front of him.

"You don't know who I am do you?" She asked, her brown eyes twinkled with a hint of laughter.

Johnny shook his head, "No, should I?" He was still confused.

"I guess since we didn't meet under the best of circumstances. I was having a bad night and you didn't help," she explained.

Johnny was still confused.

"Maybe this will help," the woman pulled back her hair and then he recognized her.

"You're a social worker?" Johnny was surprised.

"Yes I'm not an ogre you know, besides I think we were both having a bad night, she giggled. "I'm Sandra Brown." She took something out of her purse, scribbled something on the back and handed it to him. "You know you have quite a reputation at this hospital."

"Um, a reputation?" Johnny shrugged another thing he didn't need.

"No a good one. Most of the cops and paramedics could care less about the family members of the victims. I can't tell you how many times I've had to take hysterical children from them. But you care, about them, I mean. You make my job a lot easier," Sandra smiled again.

"Um, thanks. I do care and yeah sometimes I don't have a good shift. I'm sorry if I took it out on you," Johnny apologized.

"I guess we all have our bad days, anyway, my card is to call me. I thought we'd have coffee and talk, about our jobs," Sandra smiled again, wilting his resolve.

"Yeah about that," Johnny started only to see her turn.

"I'd better be going. Good night," Sandra waved and left.

Left alone, Johnny held onto the simple card. He didn't have a chance to tell her he had sworn off women completely. Any woman lately had meant trouble. Sighing he placed back on his bed table and yawned. It had been a busy day and he needed sleep. Turning out the light, he hoped to get good night's sleep.