Johnny whistled as he walked into the day room. "Good morning." He said to his shift mates.

"Put a sock in it, Gage." Chet Kelly said from his perch on the sofa. He had Henry, the basset hound's head in his lap. "I mean, no one can be that cheerful this early."

"Hey, it's not my fault you had a lousy weekend now, is it?" Johnny winked at Marco Lopez.

"Who said it was lousy? As a matter of fact, I had a wonderful time with Debbie." Chet pushed Henry off his lap and stood up. "The weather was perfect, the company was excellent and the view....whew, let me tell you, man." Chet made a gesture with his hands showing what Debbie's figure was like. "The best."

"Oh, Debbie, huh?" Johnny poured a cup of coffee and headed for the table. "Isn't she the one who's blonde?" Johnny shook his head. "You know what they say about blondes, don't you, Chet?"

"What do they say about blondes, Johnny?" Roy DeSoto asked as he entered the room.

"Uh," Johnny stammered. "I meant bottle blondes, Roy. You know, like Debbie."

"Oh, okay." Roy poured himself some coffee and refilled Marco's cup.

Chet couldn't take it anymore. "Okay, Gage. What do they say about blondes?"

"Well, Chet, there's this myth, you see. Basically it's a question that no one's been able to answer for centuries." Johnny smirked. Boy was he having fun.

"What's the question?" Chet was sitting on the edge of the table now.

"What?" Johnny looked around. "Oh, the question. Let's see, it goes like this; how do you keep a blonde in suspense?" Johnny looked at his friends and co-workers.

"I dunno, how?" Chet said.

Johnny stood and picked up his coffee cup and left the room.

The rest of the men started laughing.

"WHAT?!" Chet shouted.

"I guess what Johnny was trying to tell you, Chet, is that blonde rubs off." Mike Stoker spoke up. The rest of the shift mates were laughing too hard to talk.

"I'M GONNA GET YOU GAGE!!!" Chet pushed through the door out to the bay. "Where are you?"

Just then the office door opened and a stranger came out. "What's all the yelling about?"

"UH, nothing." Chet turned and headed back into the day room. "Where's Cap?"

"He's not here?" Roy asked. He hated it when Captain Stanley wasn't there. Johnny always seemed to get into trouble when Cap was away.

"Nope some dude just came out of his office." Chet sat down on the couch.

"That dude has a name, Kelly." Captain Lee Baskin said. "I'm Captain Baskin and I'll be filling in for Captain Stanley for the next four shifts."

"Where's Cap?" Chet asked.

"He had to take his vacation time or he was going to loose it. It seems that every time he'd schedule his vacation something always happened so that he had to cancel." Baskin sighed. "Now he's off and I'm here. Roll call in ten gentlemen." He then turned and left the room.

Chet sat up and sighed. "Just great. The captain from hell. I've heard about him."

"What?" Marco asked.

"I heard that he's a real bigot." Was all Chet would say. He stood and left the room.
 

Part Two

Johnny took one last look in the mirror before turning to leave the locker room. He'd been informed by Captain Stanley at the end of his last shift, that he'd have to have his hair cut or face disciplinary actions. Sighing, he thought it wasn't that bad. He hadn't had to get a crew cut or anything. "Watch, in the next twenty or so years, all cops and firefighters that are men will have to wear those butch hair cuts. Not me, man, not me." He said to his reflection.

Roy sighed with relief when Johnny came into the bay. "We got a substitute captain, Johnny." He whispered. "So we'll have to be extra careful, and you'll need to be on your best behavior."

"Why Roy?" Johnny asked.

"Cap had to take his vacation or risk losing it. It's only for four shifts." Roy gave Johnny a look that meant there'd be no discussion, just compliance.

"Sure Roy. I'll be good." Johnny felt like a grade school kid again, being told by the assistant principal that if he didn't shape up there'd be a note sent home.

"Good. Let's go, roll should be anytime now." Roy led the way to the front of the squad. They stood there quietly waiting.

Baskin came out of the office and looked the men over. He'd gone over the duty roster in the office. "All right, men. Stoker, I want that engine shining and the bay cleaned."

"Yes, Sir." Mike said. He was standing closest to the big red vehicle. He looked over and saw that he had his work cut out for him.

"Lopez, day room and kitchen. I want some good food today. What do you have planned?" Baskin leveled a look at Marco.

"Well, how about some fried chicken and Cole slaw for lunch and my special meat loaf for dinner." Lopez made sure to pick what he considered 'American Food'.

"Sounds good." Baskin cleared his throat. "Kelly, I want you and Gage to work on the hose, there's quite a bit needing to be cleaned. Before you do the hoses, Gage, I want you to do the latrine."

Johnny sighed. Whenever there was a new captain, he always got at least two hard chores laid on him. "Yes, Sir."

"Now, DeSoto, you can do the dorm and help out in the bay if there's time. Do you need to do a supply run?" Baskin looked at Roy.

"Haven't checked yet. Johnny and I usually check the equipment then if needed do a supply run." Roy spoke with calm assurance.

"Well, you can check the equipment without Gage, and if you need to get supplies, get them when you can." He looked at his clipboard. "Now, there's a couple of announcements, both concerning your medical insurance. All information is posted on the bulletin board in the day room. Gage, my office." He then turned and left the room.

"Good goin', Gage." Chet snickered. "Called in before you even start."

"Shut up, Kelly." Both Roy and Johnny said at the same time.
 

Johnny knocked on the closed door.

"Enter." Baskin barked out.

"Uh, you wanted to see me?" Johnny had that school boy feeling again.

"Yes, there's a note here saying that you were not to come to work unless you had taken care of a hair problem you seemed to have had. Is that correct?" He looked the man up and down. "Well?"

"I got a hair cut as ordered, Captain." Johnny stood tall, but kept his eyes diverted.

"Well, we'll see about that." He looked Johnny over some more. "Well, I guess it'll pass, but if it gets any longer, you get written up. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir." Johnny pulled himself even taller. "May I leave now?"

"Go, you have a latrine to clean and hose to hang." Baskin sat at his desk going over the notes that had been left for him from Stanley, Captain Sheridan, the C-shift Captain, as well as the note from the chief himself. All the notes contained special instructions on how to handle John Gage. "I don't need any special instructions, this boy's a troublemaker, plain and simple, and I'll take care of him."

Captain Baskin continued staring at the papers on his desk. He sighed then started in on the days paperwork.
 

Part Three

The day started out slow, which to Johnny seemed to be bad. He wasn't able to help Roy with checking the equipment and supplies, he wasn't able to get away for even fifteen minutes with a run. All Johnny could do was clean the latrine and help Kelly hang over two hundred feet of hose.

By mid afternoon, the engine had had four runs and the squad had been on two. Johnny was hot and tired from standing on the top of the hose tower and hauling up dirty hose, then climbing back down to scrub it.

"So, Gage, why'd you have to piss the Cap off?" Kelly asked as he turned on the water to get the hose wet.

"I didn't do anything." Johnny growled. His stomach followed suit reminding him that the Captain had told him that the latrine wasn't clean enough so he had to redo the whole latrine plus the locker room meaning that he missed out on Marco's chicken and Cole slaw.

Chet heard the growl as well. He knew how hard it was for Johnny to keep weight on so a missed meal tended to put his co worker on edge. "I'm sorry, Johnny."

Johnny turned and headed into the building. "Maybe Cap's in his office and I can sneak something." Johnny had been feeling like he had while growing up. Hungry and alone. His parents worked hard to provide for Johnny but times had been tough on the reservation he had grown up on. It wasn't until Johnny was thirteen that his father was able to find steady work. So Johnny knew about hunger.

Roy was sitting in the kitchen reading over some manuals, he and Johnny had their recertifications coming up and he knew Johnny should be in here with him. "Hey, Junior."

Johnny went to the cupboard and pulled out a glass. "Hey, Roy." He then opened up the refrigerator. "Boy, it's hot as hell outside." He pulled out the glass jar that had water in it and filled his glass. Setting it back, he noticed the sandwich that was on a plate. He looked at Roy to see if he was watching. He didn't want his friend to get into trouble when he stole the sandwich.

"Don't worry, it's for you. Marco knew you'd be needing something in your stomach, so he made it out of the left over chicken. Take it outside and eat it there." Roy gave his friend a sad smile.

"Tell Marco thanks." Johnny snatched the sandwich off the plate and put it in a paper towel, he then grabbed the glass and headed out the side door so he wouldn't have to go through the bay to get out to the back of the station. He ate the sandwich as quickly as he could, being careful not to choke.

Chet was hooking up the last of the hose when Johnny came around the corner. He thought about saying something scathing, but changed his mind when he saw the look on Johnny's face. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah." Johnny mumbled around the last bite of sandwich. He washed it down with the last of the water. "You 'bout ready?"

"Yeah, this is the last of it." Chet watched as Johnny climbed up the tower to pull up the last of the newly cleaned hose. "Steady, Johnny." He called out when he noticed Johnny loose his grip.

"Damn!" Johnny breathed out as his ribcage came into contact with the steel rungs of the hose tower. "That hurt." He stopped and caught his breath then finished climbing up to the top.

Finally at four in the afternoon, all the chores were done. Johnny dropped down on the couch and said a silent prayer for a run. "I'm beat."

Captain Baskin walked in the room. "I see the hose is all done, good job, Kelly." He went to the sink and washed his hands. "How much was there?"

"Uh, about two hundred feet, Cap, uh Captain Baskin, sir." Chet stammered.

"Not bad, not bad at all. Why don't you take a break." He slapped Chet on the back. Looking around he spotted Gage sitting on the couch. "Gage, there's some trash cans that need to be emptied then scrubbed. I want them done before dinner."

Johnny sighed and stood. "Yes, Sir." He headed out the door to the bay where he found all ten of the trash cans ranging from the small ones in the office and dorm to the big ones out by the back door waiting for him. "Damnit!"

Roy watched as Johnny left the room. He turned his back on the Captain and took a sip of his glass of iced tea. He looked at Mike and shook his head.

Baskin left the room and headed out to watch Johnny. "You get those cans nice and clean now, boy." He called out as he headed for his office.

"Yes, sir." Johnny said as he stacked three cans to take them out to the dumpster. He emptied all the cans then lined them up by the hose tower. "I hate that man." He said as he turned the hose on and washed out the cans. "Good thing we use liners in these cans now." He said to himself as he hosed them out. He remembered a time when Chet had made some stew and half of it had ended up on the floor, then into the tall trash can in the kitchen. He had been the one on kitchen detail that day and had to hose out the can after emptying it. He had hated it then, and he hated it now as he grabbed the brush and soap and scrubbed the cans.

Roy and Mike watched from the side of the building. "I'm worried, Mike." Roy said softly.

"I know." Mike patted Roy on the back then headed back into the building.

Baskin was glad when the shift came to an end. It had been an incredibly slow day with only 6 total runs for the engine and 8 for the squad. He was finishing up the shift paperwork when he heard a yell from the bay. "What are those yahoo's up to now?" He said to himself as he pushed back from the desk.

Out in the bay, Johnny was sitting on the floor dripping wet with Chet standing next to him, laughing. "Way to go, Gage." He snickered.

"Why'd you have to go and do that, Chet? Why?" Johnny pushed himself to his feet and headed for the locker room and his dry street clothes. He came to a halt at the voice.

"Gage, my office! NOW!" Baskin turned and headed back into the small room.

"Yes, Sir." Johnny tried to keep his voice steady. He sighed and shook his shoulders then changed direction.

Johnny knocked on the door frame before entering the office.

"Get in here." Baskin was sitting at his desk, papers in front of him.

"Sir?" Johnny looked around the room, the chairs that were normally there were no where in sight. He stood next to the desk trying not to drip on it or the papers.

"What happened?" Baskin asked. He already had a fair idea, but he wanted to give Gage a chance to tell his side before he completed the official reprimand that he had in front of him.

"I came out of the kitchen and Kelly dropped a bag of water on me." Johnny said, almost whispering.

"Why?" Baskin tried hard not to laugh. He had to admit, what Kelly did was a gem, it just wasn't right. He'd deal with Kelly later.

"I don't know, Sir. Kelly, he doesn't particularly like me, Sir." Johnny was beginning to feel a headache coming on.

"Well, that yell, the use of profanity in the station will not be tolerated. I am placing an official reprimand in your file. You also draw a one shift suspension without pay for that outburst. Any more use of profanity will result in further disciplinary action. Is that understood?" Baskin pushed the papers toward Johnny to sign.

Johnny dropped his head. "Yes, Sir." He knew from experience that it was useless to fight when this stuff happened. He took the pen and signed the papers.

"Dismissed." Baskin snapped. "Oh, and Gage?"

Johnny turned and faced the older man.

"Get a haircut." Baskin turned back to his paperwork.

"Yes, Sir." Johnny felt the last of his dignity fade away as he walked sopping wet to the locker room where his shift mates were changing.

"Well?" Roy asked.

"I'll tell you later." Johnny said as he unbuttoned his shirt. Not being too successful, he grasped the shirt and tore at it. "Damn." He muttered as the buttons went flying.

"Easy, Junior." Roy went to stand next to his friend.

"Back off, Roy." Johnny snapped out. He grabbed his jeans off the hanger and a clean pair of boxers off the bottom of the locker and headed for the latrine. He changed there while he tried to get his emotions under control. Finally changed into dry shorts and jeans, he exited the latrine and threw his wet uniform pants and shirt into a plastic bag, this he stuffed into his duffel bag. He then pulled on his long sleeve shirt. Not bothering with the buttons, Johnny then stepped into his sneakers, grabbed the duffel and headed out the side door and the parking lot.

Part Four

Roy was standing next to the Rover waiting for Johnny. They both got into the vehicle silently. Johnny drove out the lot and down the road to his house.

"What did Baskin say?" Roy asked.

Johnny pulled into a McDonald's drive thru and placed their order before answering. "You're gonna have a different partner next shift."

"WHAT! He suspended you?" Roy exclaimed as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed Johnny a ten dollar bill.

"Yeah. One shift without pay." Johnny said. He pulled forward to the window and handed the kid his money. He took the change and waited for their drinks and food.

"I can't believe it. What did he suspend you for?" Roy took the cup of coffee that was handed to him. He then took the large O.J. and straw next.

"Use of profanity in the station." Johnny then passed the bag over. He threw the truck into gear and stomped a little too hard on the accelerator.

"I can't believe that. We all cuss at one time or another at the station. Now, I can understand if it had been over heard by a citizen at a fire or during a rescue or something, but this? I'm sorry, Johnny." Roy reached out and gave Johnny's right thigh a squeeze.

"Thanks, Roy. Sorry I snapped earlier." Johnny grasped Roy's hand and held it when he didn't have to shift.

"I know. Don't sweat it, you can get that garden started that you were talking about last week. You'll have five days to work uninterrupted." Roy smiled.

"Hey, you wanna go out tomorrow night? There's a new movie at the Cineplex over on Wilshire." Johnny was beginning to feel better.

"Sure. what movie?" Roy was feeling better too.

"It's called Star Wars. It just came out. I saw a line around Grumman's last week." Johnny was remembering what he'd read in Variety.

"Sounds fun. It's a date. We haven't gone out in a while." Roy had divorced from his wife of 9 years the year prior. He had been living with Johnny for six months.

"Good deal." Johnny maneuvered his vehicle down the narrow street leading to his small ranch house.

The two men exited the truck and walked hand in hand up the walk. Each carrying their drinks, what was left of them, and Roy carrying the bag of food.

They ate their breakfast and then went their separate ways to do the chores they had to do. Roy did most of the housework and shopping, while Johnny tended the lawns and gardens. Johnny had bought the house along with three acres of land two years ago. He'd fallen in love with it while out riding with a friend. It had a lake at the far eastern part of the land as well as a small stream that ran not more than a hundred feet from the house. There were small fish in the stream; that during the rainy season swelled to a small river in size. Johnny loved sitting and listening to the sound of the water.

Roy hummed as he pulled the clothes from the washer and transferred them to the dryer. He looked out the window and smiled. Johnny was sitting on the deck in a lounge chair. He was wearing a pair of cut offs and sneakers without socks. His shirt was still unbuttoned and he'd traded the long sleeve one for one with the sleeves cut off, this showed off his sun kissed skin. Roy sighed. He then walked into the kitchen after turning on the dryer and poured two glasses of Iced Tea. He then took them out onto the deck.

Johnny was sleeping. He didn't sleep well normally, not since he had received word three months ago that his mother had died in an automobile accident back in South Dakota. He'd been unable to attend the funeral due to a flu epidemic and ever since, his father had refused to talk to him. Johnny, being an only child, had been real hurt by his father's rejection. He still called once a week and talked to his Aunt who was now living with his father. This way, he at least knew what was going on back home.

Roy set the glasses down on the glass topped table that sat between the two lounge chairs. He then sat down beside Johnny. "Hey lover." He whispered as he ran his hand up and down Johnny's right arm. "Time to wake up."

Johnny startled awake. "Huh?" He looked around blinking, then started knuckling the sleep out of his eyes, making him look like a little boy. "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for. Here." Roy smiled at him then handed him the sweat slicked glass. "Drink. I'll have some lunch ready in a half hour."

"Don't." Johnny spoke softly. "I'm, uh, I'm not really hungry, Roy. Sorry."

"You're doing it again, John." Roy resumed his seat next to Johnny.

"Doing what?" Johnny asked.

"Letting things, people, get to you. Remember all the long talks we've had over the past four years? All the discussions you, me and Jo have had helping you get things together? What happened?" Roy soothed his words with soft caresses.

"I know. I can't help it, Roy. There's just something about that man that takes me back to the res when I was a kid. I had this Elementary School Vice Principal who loved to pick me out and heap blame on me for something, hell, anything. I got blamed for the broken window. Did I tell you about this?" Johnny pushed himself up more.

"No, I don't think so." Roy settled laying next to Johnny. He wrapped his arms around the younger, skinnier man. "Tell me." He whispered into Johnny's ear. "Please."

Johnny sighed. He turned his head and let Roy capture his lips in a kiss. When they both came up for air, Johnny smiled. "Okay. Here goes. I was in the fourth grade, it was freezing cold outside. Snowing too. Anyway, we were out on the playground, well, the bigger kids were, I was standing next to the building trying to keep warm. Dad hadn't had much luck that fall with work, so I was wearing last year's coat. I hadn't grown much or the coat wouldn't have fit, anyway, I was standing there. The Vice Principal, Mr. Melvin Johnstone, came up to me and took my arm. He said that the Principal wanted to see me. So, I was dragged down the hall to the Principal's office. Mrs. Kellogg was a nice lady. She normally didn't have any beef with me, but this time, she believed Melvin." Johnny took a sip of tea.

"What did Melvin say you did?" Roy prompted.

"Broke a window in the gym. I watched the ball sail through the air and crash through the window. Kenny Three Bears had thrown it to his friend Danny Eagle. Well, it was way over Danny's head. Since I was standing next to the building, Melvin chose me to place the blame on. My dad was called and he had to come down to the school. We were living in town then, but he was still pissed. I was suspended from school until Dad could pay to replace the glass. We didn't have any money for the glass so I was out of school for almost three weeks. The principal came to our house one day and told my father that I could return to school the next week. It seems Danny's sister saw what had happened and went to the principal with their mother in tow. Danny told his side of the story, and Kenny agreed. Melvin was called on the carpet and I was allowed back into school. I hadn't missed much as my father had had my cousin Kerrie, who was in the same grade as me, bring me all my assignments. I'd sit in the kitchen with Mom and do my work. I loved that time." Johnny sighed. "I miss my mom, Roy." He turned his head so his lover wouldn't see his tears.

"I know you do, babe." Roy pulled Johnny into his arms. "You ready to eat now?"

"No, but go make lunch, I'll eat. Promise." Johnny kissed Roy gently then pushed out of the lounge chair. Stretching, he scratched his bare chest and looked around at the yard. "It's lookin' good. Glad I got the well water to water the yard and gardens with. I don't have to use the city water for it."

Roy smiled. He knew Johnny was proud of his find. The house and barn were on city water, but Johnny knew that maintaining the acreage would cost too much if he watered it with city water. So he searched around and found an old well. He cleaned it out and found that there was still water in it. He rigged it up and used a pump to run the sprinkler system. He watered all his grass, and grazing grounds as well as his garden with the well water. He'd had the city test it and they found it wasn't potable, so they didn't get too upset. The droughts of the past three years had taken their toll on most of the area, lawns died from lack of water as watering restrictions were being heavily enforced for those on city water. Johnny along with some of his neighbors who fed off the artesian spring and the streams and lake were the lucky few.

"I'll make some sandwiches or would you rather have a tuna salad?" Roy stood next to Johnny.

"Tuna." Johnny said then headed for the barn. He had three cats and a rabbit that lived there. He was waiting for his Cousins to send down his horse from back home.

Roy started to head into the house when he stopped. "Hey, Johnny?"

Johnny turned. "Yeah?"

"How's the ribs?" Roy asked. He kept his voice calm and neutral.

"Sore, but not broken." Johnny admitted. "If they begin to hurt worse, I'll let you take me to see Brackett. Okay?"

"Okay." Roy then headed into the house and the tuna salad.

Part Five

Johnny looked at his watch yet again. "Hurry up Roy!"

"Keep yer pants on, Johnny. I'm coming." Roy walked up to Johnny. "You got the tickets, right?"

"Yeah, right here." Johnny held them up. "You ready?"

"Let's go. A movie and dinner. I feel so loved." Roy said as they walked out the door and to Roy's sports car. Roy smiled. "Here, you drive."

Johnny smiled. "You sure?" He snatched the keys out of the air as Roy tossed them to his lover.

"Positive. I want to be wined and dined by my lover tonight. I want to know that I won't have to drive home." Roy smiled at Johnny as he pulled the door closed.

"Thanks, Roy." Johnny reached over and gave Roy's hand a squeeze.

"Your welcome." Roy sat back and enjoyed the ride to the theatre.

"I'm telling you Roy, those were the best special effects I've ever seen." Johnny was still flying from the movie.

"I don't know, Johnny. It sorta reminds me of one of those cheesy westerns they show on the late, late show; except set in outer space." Roy walked beside Johnny.

"Well, since it's sold out until next month, I think it's a hit." Johnny unlocked then held open the door for Roy. "Your chariot awaits."

"Why thank you." Roy sat down and swung his legs in. Johnny then closed the door and ran around to the drivers side.

"Now, on to Martiné's Bistro and our 9:30 reservation." Johnny started the car and headed down the road.

Johnny pulled into the parking lot and parked near the back. He wanted to be able to steal a kiss while he could, so he parked in a darkened area of the lot.

Roy was standing in back of the car waiting for Johnny. He looked around the lot. "Pretty busy tonight. Good thing we have reservations."

"Yup." Johnny said. He grabbed Roy around the waist and turned him in his arms. "I've been wanting to do this all night." He then captured Roy's lips with his.

"Oh," Roy muttered around those lips. He pulled back and looked Johnny in the eye. "I love you, John Gage."

Johnny blushed. No one had ever told him that before. He couldn't answer for fear of his emotions getting away from him. Smiling, he gave Roy a tight hug.

Roy seemed to understand. He squeezed back. They kissed again, quickly as they heard approaching footsteps.

Roy smiled as he and Johnny headed for the entrance to the restaurant.

Lee Baskin was helping his wife into their car when he looked around. He saw two people kissing over by a small sports car. He squinted to get a better look and saw them pull apart. "Well, I'll be damned." He muttered as he saw John Gage and Roy DeSoto pull apart and head for the entrance.

He smiled as he got into his car. Now he had the ammo he was looking for. "That good for nothing half breed is out of here. It's just a shame that DeSoto is hooked up with him. I hate to see him go."

"What's that, dear?" Eunice Baskin asked her husband.

"Nothing for you to worry about." He stated as he pulled out of the parking lot. He drove quietly home thinking about how he was going to ruin John Gage's career.
 

Johnny and Roy spent a quiet evening eating fine Italian food and talking softly about Johnny's garden plans.

"I know you hate being off but think of it this way, you'll get more work done without me interrupting you all the time." Roy winked at his lover.

"Ha, ha." Johnny winked back. They had developed a sort of short hand between them. It helped when they couldn't say how they felt because of their surroundings.

"You about done?" Roy asked. His voice husky with arousal.

"Yeah." Johnny said as he drained his tea glass. He had stuck to Iced Tea while Roy had drank a half a carafe of wine.

Roy reached for the bill but Johnny stopped him. "It's all taken care of, Roy."

Johnny signed the slip and put it along with a ten dollar bill into the folder the bill had been delivered to the table. He then stood and smoothed his pants out. "Let's go home."

They headed out to the parking lot. Roy looked at his watch. "Wow, no wonder I'm so tired. It's eleven thirty."

"I know. But boy, that Martiné can cook." Johnny patted his still very flat stomach.

"I was surprised when he came over and talked to you. Where do you know him from?" Roy looked around while waiting for Johnny to unlock the door.

"I met him three years ago. I was taking a course out at the Junior College, a writing course, Marty was in my class. He was telling me about this restaurant he wanted to open. I told him that when he did, to let me know. He did, and I came. He's been here for almost two years and is very popular among the rich and famous. Believe me, I can't afford this place on my salary." Johnny got in behind the wheel and started the engine. He then reached over and grasped Roy's hand. "I love you too." He whispered.

"I know." Roy whispered back.

They drove home in silence as each man thought of what lies ahead.

Once Johnny pulled into the drive and thumbed the garage door opener did Roy speak. "I want to take you to bed and make love to you all night long. Then I want to call in sick tomorrow and spend all day with you in bed." Roy was spending one of his days off subbing at station 65 down the street from Johnny's ranch. He'd promised two weeks earlier.

"You can't call in." Johnny protested. He knew Roy needed the money.

"I can and I will. What's the use of me having sick days if I can't use 'em." Roy pulled Johnny into his arms after closing the garage door with his elbow.

"ROY!" Johnny actually squealed as Roy attacked.

"What?" Roy said breathlessly. "You don't like?"

"I like, I like. It's just, uh..." Johnny couldn't speak anymore as Roy claimed his lips.

Johnny backed up needing to breathe. "Bedroom, now!" His voice was husky and harsh.

"Right behind you." Roy pushed Johnny up the narrow back stairway that led to the second floor and the master bedroom.

They fell onto the bed a tangle of arms and legs. Johnny giggled as Roy pushed his shirt off. "That tickles, Roy."

"I know." Roy huffed. He then pulled his shirt over his head and threw it down on the floor to land next to Johnny's. "Come here, you."

"I'll go anywhere with you, Roy DeSoto. My heart, my mind, my body, and my soul are yours." Johnny whispered in Roy's ear.

"Oh, God." Roy's heart jumped up into his throat. He had never before felt the way he felt that night. Even his marriage hadn't been able to elicit these feelings. "As I am yours."

"Now that that's settled." Johnny kicked his pants off and unzipped Roy's fly. "Fuck me, Roy."

"With pleasure, Sweetheart." Roy finished undressing and made slow passionate love to the one man Roy loved more than life itself. "Mine and yours." He kept saying over and over as he plunged deeper into Johnny's body.

"God, Roy. Deeper." Johnny panted. He reached back as Roy pushed forward.

Roy's hand reached around to Johnny's stomach and held him fast. "Easy, Babe. Easy. I got you."

Johnny's hips began moving with Roy's thrusts. Soon both men were moving in a slow dance meant to bring each other to the brink then over at the same time.

Roy gently untangled themselves and reached for the wash cloth. He cleaned first Johnny then himself before pulling up the covers and turning off the lamp. "Good night, my love."

"Night." Johnny said around a huge yawn. "Love you."

Roy laid there thinking that he'd never grow tired of hearing that from Johnny. Then he thought that Johnny had not heard that being said to him most of his life, so he made a vow to himself that he would say it to the man as often as he could. "Me too."

Sleep finally pulled him under and he spent a peaceful night with the one he loved safely wrapped in his arms.
 

Part Six

Station 51's A-Shift was going to enjoy an extra shift off. Due to their last quarter efficiency rating. Their shift had been the only shift in the County to go 90 consecutive days without work related illness or injury. A record considering John Gage was a member of that shift.

Johnny worried that he would lose the pay he was going to get since he was suspended.

"I don't think they'll take that away from you, Johnny." Roy said the next morning as they lingered over breakfast. Roy had called in sick to the station he was subbing at. He wasn't losing any pay doing that. He just wanted to spend time with his friend and lover.

"I'm sure Baskin'll find some way to make sure they take that pay away as well as the pay from the shift he suspended me from." Johnny stood and started filling the sink with hot water and soap. "I mean, Roy, hell, that man's had it in for me from the beginning and I didn't do anything to start with."

"I know." Roy took his dishes to the sink and pulled out the rubber gloves he used at home. "I'll wash, why don't you go take care of the 'kids'?"

They had two puppies and two kittens that lived with them. They were all the same age and had been adopted at the same time.

"Okay." Johnny pulled out a bag of kitten food and headed for the mud room. "Okay you two, breakfast time."

Two small kittens came scampering into the room. Roy had insisted that they be declawed since Johnny had insisted that they be indoor pets. The dogs were outdoor pets.

"You two are a riot." Johnny gave each kitty a scratch under the chin then headed out to the garage. The puppies were out there until the barn was refurbished.

Keiro and Kane came running. They were Alaskan Malamutes who were all of five months old. They spent some of their time indoors, but for the most part they were outdoor dogs. "Hey girl." Johnny scratched Keiro's head. "How's you doing?"

Johnny tried real hard to take his mind off his problems, he wasn't succeeding though.

Roy sighed as he put the last of the dishes away. "Next week, we're getting a new dishwasher."
 

Johnny was on the phone when Roy came downstairs with the laundry. He stopped and listened for a few minutes.

"What do you mean?" Johnny's voice sounded strained. "I signed those papers two days ago."

Johnny listened some more. "Okay." He then said good bye and hung up.

"What's wrong?" Roy put down the basket and sat on the arm of the chair Johnny was sitting in.

"I called to ask about my pay, you know, the paid day off we got. Anyway, she said, Betty that is, said that the papers weren't in my file. She then said that she'd have the Chief of Paramedics give me a call when he's available." Johnny hung his head. "I'm so in trouble."

"Johnny, look at me. Please?" Roy lifted Johnny's chin. "Nothing is going to happen. Trust me."

Johnny nodded his head then laid down. "I'm gonna lay here for a bit."

"Okay." Roy picked the basket back up and headed for the laundry room. He started a load of clothes then headed out to sit on the deck. He had some thinking to do.
 

Part Seven

Lee Baskin sat in Chief Shaw's office.

Shaw didn't look too happy. "You're telling me that you saw John Gage kissing another man in the parking lot of La Paz Restaurant last night?"

"Yes." Lee stated. He had thought about telling the Chief the wrong restaurant name and had decided that he thought it was best. After all, the burden of proof fell on Johnny's shoulders.

"Okay. What time was this?" Shaw picked up a pen and put it to paper. He notated everything that Captain Baskin said, then shook the man's hand. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Shaw sighed as the door closed. "I can't believe this." He picked up the phone and called Chief McConnikee.

"Sean." McConnikee said. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I just got through talking with Lee Baskin. He told me something that disturbs me. Will you be in your office say around three?" Shaw asked.

"Sure. Come on down." McConnikee got a sinking feeling in his stomach. 'I sure hope Gage didn't screw up the shifts accident standing.' He thought as he sat there.

They hung up and McConnikee cleared up his calendar and headed to HQ.

Two hours later found Sean Shaw walking down the hallway to Chief Steven McConnikee's office.

"Sean, come in." McConnikee smiled at his friend.

"I have something that I think might be bad." Shaw tried to put his thoughts together.

"Well, spit it out." McConnikee said.

"Lee Baskin said that he saw John Gage kissing a man the other night in a restaurant parking lot." Shaw just jumped right in.

"I see." McConnikee knew Baskin's reputation. "Did he say if there were any witnesses?"

"No." Shaw sighed. "You and I both know the rules, Steve. I'd hate to see this ruin a fine young man's career."

"I agree. Despite all the long hair and accidents, John Gage is a fine young man and a damn good paramedic." McConnikee agreed.

"So, what are we going to do?" Shaw sighed.

"Follow the procedures. We'll call Brackett first and schedule a meeting. Let's see, Gage got a suspension last shift something about profanity in the station. That one I have a hard time believing. I have a feeling Chester Kelly helped." McConnikee chuckled. "So he's off for the next three days. We'll talk to Doctor Brackett then call a meeting on Thursday when Gage is back to work."

"Sounds good to me. What do you think will be the result?" Shaw stood.

"Let's hear John's side of the story first." McConnikee stood and shook Shaw's hand. "Let's get together Saturday for a round of golf."

"Sounds good to me. Say, 9 a.m. tee time?" Shaw held the door open.

"Works for me." McConnikee smiled as his friend and colleague left the room.

Doctor Kelly Brackett sighed as he got off the phone. "I don't believe this." He mumbled as he walked up to the nurses station.

"What don't you believe?" Dixie McCall asked.

"That was Chief McConnikee, I have a meeting with him and Chief Shaw at eleven this morning." He looked at his watch and saw that he would have to leave in a few minutes, since it was over an hours drive to Head Quarters. "Something about John Gage."

"I hope it's nothing serious." Dixie stated as she watched Brackett straighten his tie.

"I hope that too, Dix. Well, I better leave. I'll let you know what's going on." He smiled at his favorite nurse and left the ER.

He drove to the hills where the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Head Quarters was located. He thought back to the day he rode along with the chopper and their runs that day. "I'm so glad I'm not up here to fly." He looked out over the land and at the sky. "Damn." He cursed as he watched the storm clouds form.

Walking down the hall way he stopped in front of a wall of pictures. Men who had died in the line of duty. He recognized some of the names as they had passed through his Emergency Department at one time or another, including their last time.

He came to a halt outside a glass and wood door that had Chief Sean L. Shaw stenciled on it. He knocked.

"Come in." The voice said.

"Chief Shaw." Kel said as he held out his hand.

"Glad you could make it, Kel. Steve will be here in a minute." Shaw gestured for Kel to sit.

"Sorry I'm late." McConnikee said as he closed the door behind himself.

"What's going on?" Kel was hard pressed to keep his temper in tact.

"Well, it seems that Captain Baskin, who's filling in for Hank Stanley over at 51's claims he saw John Gage...uh," Shaw didn't want to finish.

"Saw John doing what?" Kel asked.

"Kissing another man." McConnikee finished for his friend.

"So." Kel shrugged his shoulders.

"It's against regulations for a fire fighter to be involved in any deviant behaviors or practices." McConnikee spouted the line by line regs.

"So, just because one man saw John kissing another man, it's automatic that Johnny's a homosexual?" Kel couldn't understand their way of thinking. Although deep down, Kel wasn't so sure that that wasn't the case.

"We're going to bring this up with Gage in a meeting on Thursday. We need you there as well." McConnikee stated.

"Oh, I'll be there alright. I don't like it when anybody picks on the paramedics. Especially one as good as John Gage." Kel stood. "Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to get back to the hospital and my patients."

"Of course. Thank you so much for coming." Shaw shook Kel's hand. "We'll see you Thursday."

"Thursday." Kel then left the room and the building.
 

Part Eight

Johnny was still asleep when the phone rang. He had been napping because of a headache. "Hello." He mumbled into the phone.

"Johnny?" Kel asked.

"Oh, hi doc." Johnny sat up on the couch. He looked around and saw that Roy wasn't around. Spying the note on the table next to the phone he half read that and half listened to Brackett.

"What?" He asked for Kel to repeat what he'd just said.

"I said, Baskin told Chief Shaw that he saw you kissing another man." Kel repeated.

"Shit!" Johnny exclaimed. "Sorry, Doc." He then said.

"So, it's true?" Kel asked gently.

"Did they say who I was kissing?" Johnny asked.

"No." Kel said.

"Okay, what happens now?" Johnny stood and paced as well as the phone cord would let him.

"There's going to be a meeting called at the station on Thursday. Be prepared to defend yourself." Kel said.

"Why are you telling me this?" Johnny wanted to know.

"Because you're my friend and one of the best damn paramedics the County has seen." Kel said with all sincerity.

"Thanks, Doc." Johnny sat back down on the couch, the headache back in full. "I need to think. I'll, uh, I'll talk to you later."

"All right. If you need to talk, I'm right here." Kel said.

"Thanks again. I'll see you Thursday." Johnny then hung up the phone. He sat back on the couch and wrapped his arms around his stomach. "Please hurry home, Roy." He said then found himself crying.
 

Part Nine

Thursday 7:40 a.m.
Station 51

Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto walked into the station together. They had talked and decided to show a united front.

"Hey guys, you're early." Charlie Dwyer said. He was confused. Craig Brice was changing in the locker room to work as he sat there.

"Yeah, thought we'd try something a little different today." Johnny grinned at his friend.

"Well, have fun." Charlie smiled back.

"Okay." Johnny said as they continued across the floor and to the bay. "Wonder what's going on?"

They both knew there was going to be a meeting, they just didn't know that Johnny was being replaced for at least that shift.

Just as they got to the back of the engine, a voice called out. "Gage, my office, NOW!" Baskin demanded.

Johnny and Roy turned as one to go to the office.

"Just Gage, DeSoto." Baskin barked.

"Yes, Sir." Roy shrugged but then offered his friend silent support.

Johnny then headed for the office alone. Knocking on the door, he steadied himself.

"Enter." Baskin said.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Johnny looked around the room. Both Chiefs McConnikee and Shaw were there, along with Dr. Brackett. He avoided Brackett's eyes.

"Sit down, Gage." Baskin growled.

Johnny sat in the only chair available. "Sir?"

"John," McConnikee started. "Captain Baskin here has reported that he saw you kissing another man in the parking lot of the La Paz restaurant on Monday night."

"I don't know that restaurant, Chief." Johnny couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Where were you at 9:15 that night?" Shaw asked.

"I was with Roy. We'd gone to see Star Wars at the Multiplex over on La Cienega. Then we went to dinner at Martiné's on Wilshire. Marty, uh Martiné is a friend of mine." Johnny told nothing but the truth.

"You're sure it was Monday night?" Shaw asked.

"Yes, I bought the ticket's Sunday afternoon. Roy and I had planned to go Monday night. I made reservations at Marty's restaurant as well." Johnny stood his ground.

"Do you have proof?" Baskin snapped out.

"Proof, Sir?" Johnny reached into his back pocket for his wallet. It was now that he was glad he saved stuff like ticket stubs. "Here's the ticket stub." He passed this to Shaw. "And here's the receipt for dinner. Now, the dinner was on the house, as Marty owed me, but I did mark everything on there as far as tip and such goes and had Marty and the waiter sign it."

"Why?" McConnikee asked.

"Taxes." Was all Johnny would say.

"I see." Shaw was beginning to wonder about the validity of Baskin's statement. "It seems we have a differing of events."

"I tell you, I saw that fag kissing another man." Baskin stood from his chair pushing it back. "I know it was him."

"Do you want to change anything? Either of you?" Shaw asked.

"Chief?" Johnny looked at both Shaw and McConnikee.

"Yes, John?" Shaw was the one that spoke.

"Uh, may I see you two and you, Dr. Brackett?" Johnny then looked at Baskin. "Alone?"

The three men looked at each other. Again, Shaw was the one who spoke. "Sure, John. Lee? Would you excuse us?"

Baskin headed for the door. "I don't like this." He grumbled.

"Baskin!" McConnikee was the one to bark this time. "I suggest you cool off."

"Yes, Sir." Baskin exited the room still grumbling.
 

Part Ten

Johnny sat back and laced his fingers together. He then brought his hands over his right knee. "I, uh, that is, Roy and I talked about this the other day." He was blushing. Finally, standing, he began to pace.

"Does this have anything to do with what we talked about the other day?" Kel asked.

"Yeah." Johnny sighed. "Baskin is lying as far as where he saw me kissing another man. I do believe he saw me, just that he saw me at Martiné's instead of La Paz, which I've never heard of before. Hell, I can't even afford Marty's place." Johnny gave a nervous laugh. "Anyway, if he really did see me kissing another man, it would have been in that parking lot. Now, I don't know all that Baskin told you, but I didn't see him anywhere in the lot and where we'd parked, well, it was real dark there."

"So, it could be Baskin didn't or couldn't really see what was happening?" Shaw asked.

"Yes, Sir. I mean, it was dark. Besides, we were way back in the back of the lot, near a wall. There was no way he could have seen me kissing anyone, unless there were car lights shining in that area." Johnny sat again. "I'm screwed, aren't I?"

"No, Johnny." McConnikee smiled. "I think you've answered the charges adequately."

"How?" Johnny was confused.

Just then there was a knock on the door.

Shaw stood and answered it. "Come in Roy."

"Roy." Both McConnikee and Brackett greeted the paramedic.

"I, uh, I have something to say." Roy started. He couldn't let Johnny take the fall alone.

"It's all right, Roy." Shaw, who'd put two and two together and made four. "We've ascertained that Baskin lied about what he saw and where he saw it. Johnny assured us as well as provided proof, that what and where he was standing was not visible to Baskin."

"Really?" Roy asked.

"Yeah, Roy." Johnny went to stand by his friend. "I told them that you and I went to the movies then to Marty's place for dinner, and that we parked way in the back by the wall, where it was dark."

"That's right. We were parked way back there. I remember because the parking lot was full even for a Monday." Roy shook his head. "So, what Baskin said he saw, he couldn't have."

"Right." Brackett said.

"But, there still is one thing." Johnny said softly.

"You don't have to, Johnny." Roy said.

"Yes I do." Johnny looked at both Chiefs. "Baskin wouldn't have been wrong."

"What do you mean?" Shaw asked.

"If he had seen me kissing another man, I probably would have been." Johnny's eyes dropped. "You see, I'm gay." He almost whispered.

"Does anyone else here at the station know?" McConnikee asked.

"No." Johnny squeaked out.

"That's not entirely true." Roy said. "I know. I live in the same house as Johnny."

"Do you have separate bed rooms?" McConnikee asked.

They had decided that if this question was asked, Roy would say yes. "Yes, we do."

"I see." Shaw felt relief. He now didn't have to dismiss Johnny or bring him up on any kind of charges. "Well, so long as you remain room mates, I have no problem. Do you, Steve?" He looked at McConnikee.

"Nope, no problems here. Kel?" McConnikee had a feeling that Roy had lied, but he wasn't going to say anything.

"Not going to find any here. But Johnny, I want to see you for a check up this afternoon." Kel stood and shook hands with all in the room. "Now, I have to go. Gentlemen." He then left the room.

"What's he mean?" Johnny questioned. "Aren't I on duty? Or...."

"You aren't fired, Johnny. But, you are suspended today, with pay since this investigation proved fruitless. I'm sorry, but the suspension was SOP. and can't be undone. You will be back here Sunday morning." McConnikee shook Roy and Johnny's hands then bid his farewell.

"Sunday, John. Roy, make sure he isn't late. I'd been wondering about his lack of accidents and absences lately. Maybe having you as a room mate is just what the man needs." He then shook both of the paramedics hands then he too left.

"Well, I guess I'll go. I'll pick you up in the morning." Johnny turned to leave. Just then Baskin came into the room.

"So, what'd you draw, Gage?" He sneered at Johnny and Roy.

"One shift suspension. You?" Johnny said with a straight face.

"That's it?!" His face turned red in rage. "That's....I...you're a fag for God's sake!" He finally stammered out.

"So, what's your point?" Johnny said. He then turned and headed for the day room and his shift mates.
 

Part Eleven

Chet and Marco were sitting at the table reading the morning paper. Marco looked up when Roy and Johnny walk in. "So, what did Baskin want?" Chet asked.

"To end my career." Johnny shrugged

"What do you mean?" Marco asked.

"He wanted to get me canned. It didn't work." Johnny poured a cup of coffee and took a sip.

Craig Brice came in and looked around. "DeSoto, the squad's checked out. We need to go to Rampart for supplies."

"In a minute, Brice." Roy looked back at Brice. "I haven't had any coffee yet."

Roy joined Johnny at the table with a cup of coffee. "So, what are you going to do today?" He asked Johnny.

"Well, after my appointment, I thought I'd take the pups for a run and water the garden. Maybe pick up some flowers for the flower bed out front, and if there's time, stain the deck." Johnny gulped the rest of his coffee. "Gotta go. Have a good shift guys, see ya later."

Johnny left the room and headed for his car. Roy smiled.

Chet turned to Marco and shrugged. "What was that all about, Roy?"

"Nothing. You guys come on over tomorrow afternoon for a barbecue, ok?" Roy let the guys know that he'd let them know what had happened tomorrow.

"Sure, Roy." Mike Stoker said. He then went to the phone and made a phone call.

"Want me to bring anything, Roy?" Marco asked.

"Sure, some tamales and salsa." Roy said. "Johnny loves that stuff."

"Sì, I'll have my mama make some." Marco turned and headed for the sink.

"DeSoto?" Brice came back into the room.

"Let's go, Brice." Roy headed for the squad and the driver's side. "I'm driving. All day."

"Whatever you say." Brice said.

They headed out to Rampart. Roy was pretty sure they'd run into Johnny there. He wondered why Kelly would want to give Johnny a physical.
 

Baskin sat in his office stewing. "I can't believe them!" He then called the Chief's boss and complained.

"You can complain all you want, Baskin. I've talked to both McConnikee and Shaw and they said that Gage came clean and told them where he was and backed it up with proof, so you have no where to go. It stops now. I've heard about you." The Fire Chief said.

"Yes, Sir." Baskin slammed the phone down. "Damn that Gage."

Baskin began to make plans. He would get Gage to quit or kill him. Whichever worked best.

Sunday arrived and Baskin headed for the station. The Battalion Chief couldn't find a replacement or Baskin would be reporting to a different station.

He parked in the same spot he'd parked in the last two shifts. He didn't see the Land Rover and he had no idea what kind of car Roy drove. "Must not be in yet."

Walking into the building, Baskin smiled at the sight in front of him. Marco Lopez and Chet Kelly were sitting at the table eating doughnuts and reading the paper. Mike Stoker was sipping a cup of coffee.

"Men." He said as he walked to his office.
 

Part Twelve

"I can't believe they haven't thrown his bigoted ass out." Marco spat.

"That's the way things go, Marco, my man. He's white, Gage ain't." Chet said.

"What does that mean?" Marco asked.

"The Department ain't gonna fire Baskin because of what he did, but they suspended Johnny for what Baskin said Johnny did. That's what I mean." Chet's convoluted thinking almost made sense to the two other men in the room.

Just then Roy and Johnny walked into the day room. "Good morning all." Johnny smiled at his co-workers. They had been in the locker room when Baskin had entered.

"Where'd you park?" Chet asked.

"Oh, didn't we tell you?" Roy snickered.

"What?" Chet asked, going out of his mind.

"Roy bought a new truck." Johnny giggled. "A big blue FORD!"

"Hey, I asked you to come with me." Roy smacked Johnny on the arm.

"Ow! You didn't have to hit me." Johnny rubbed his upper arm. "That hurt, Roy."

"Oh, you big baby." Roy smiled

They all laughed.

"Roll call!" Baskin yelled from the bay.

All five men headed for the bay and the front of the squad.

"Okay, listen up." Baskin looked at his clip board. "Stoker, engine and kitchen, let's have some good chow today. Kelly, day room and bay. DeSoto, bunk room, Lopez, there's some hose and the tool room needs to be straightened. Gage, latrine, locker room and then help Lopez with the hose. That's all. Dismissed." Baskin turned and headed for his office and some aspirin.

"Man, I can't believe that guy." Gage whispered as he walked around to help Roy with the squad.

They got the equipment checked and put back. Roy went to tell Baskin that they HAD to make a supply run as they were very low on a lot of things.

Once in the squad, they talked about the physical Johnny had gone through.

"So, you ready to talk about it?" Roy asked.

"He just wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing, and that I was being safe. He cautioned me about certain things. I told him I was in a monogamous relationship and was not worried. He examined me, told me to gain some weight, and then took me to lunch." Johnny smiled. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"That's okay. I understand." Roy smiled back, "Really." 

They parked at Rampart and went in to get the supplies. As they were heading back to the squad they got a call.

"Engine 51, Squad 51, Battalion 14, Truck 110, Squad 110, Station 65. Structure fire 4260 East 223rd St 4-2-6-0 East 2-2-3 rd Street. Time out 0845." Sam said.

"Squad 51." Johnny hung back up the mic and put his helmet on his head. "That's five miles, Roy."

"I know." Roy turned out of the hospital parking lot and turned on his lights, he waited until they were out of the hospital zone before he turned on the siren.

They arrived at the building less than 10 minutes later. Jumping out of the squad, Roy pulled his turnout coat on and started opening up doors on the passenger side.

Johnny slipped his coat on and grabbed the defibrillator and drug box and followed Roy.

"Gage, DeSoto!" McConnikee called. "Set up triage over there. 65's and 110's paramedics are handling rescue."

Johnny and Roy went over to where McConnikee pointed and set up triage. They didn't have long to wait for their first victim. Benson Parks brought over a young man. "Burns over most of his body. He's breathing."

Roy took over the treatment of the victim.

Johnny helped Roy with the burn victim and called into Rampart.

They soon had the man off to Rampart. Roy stayed behind as the victim was conscious and breathing on his own.

Roy and Johnny took care of the firefighters who ate too much smoke while the others manned hoses and continued searching the warehouse.

McConnikee called out all the fire fighters from the north-east corner of the building due to stressed metal.

Johnny was helping a firefighter who needed his eyes cleared out. He didn't hear the evacuation call.

Roy was cleaning up the area, and hadn't heard the call either.

"Gage!" Baskin called. "There's been a report of a firefighter down. North-east corner. Get in and out! I'll tell Roy."

"Okay Cap." Johnny pulled his gear on and headed for the building. He was so intent on what he was doing he didn't even notice the absence of people.

Roy looked up as he saw Johnny enter the building.

McConnikee was talking on his handi-talkie when he saw Gage going into the building. "GAGE!" He called. "Battalion 14 to HT51 come in!" He was met by static.

Johnny walked into the vast section of warehouse. There had been a report of mostly corrugated paper products in this section. "Wow." He pulled off his helmet and ran his arm over his forehead. He then replaced the helmet. "Hot in here."

McConnikee kept calling Johnny on the HT and kept getting static.

Roy saw the Chief having problems. He stood and walked over to the man. "What's wrong, Chief?"

"I can't raise Gage on the HT. I called for that area to be evac'd ten minutes ago. I don't know why he went in." McConnikee looked around for the one person he thought could be responsible. "Suit up, Roy. Take Lopez and Parks with you."

Roy ran over to the squad and pulled out his air tank and headed for Lopez.

Back in the warehouse, Johnny was approaching the back end where the offices were. "I wonder why anyone would be in here and where the hell is Roy?" Johnny was getting hotter and he knew he didn't have much more time on his tank.

He was just heading back towards the exit when he heard the noise above him. Looking up, he saw a metal walkway. "Shit!" Johnny started moving. He had to get out of the way.

Roy saw Johnny stop and followed his gaze. "Shit!"

Marco and Benson looked as well and started running. "JOHNNY!" Marco yelled.

But they were too late.

Johnny was lying on the ground with part of the metal walkway on his legs.

Roy dropped down beside Johnny's head. "It's okay, Junior." He gently removed the mask from Johnny's face. There was blood running down the younger man's face from a cut on the forehead. Roy saw the beginning of a bruise there. He then gently ran his hands down Johnny's back and arms. He grimaced when he felt the broken arm. "Get that shit off him!" He yelled at his coworkers.

They gently but quickly removed the fallen debris. "Roy?" Marco said.

"What?" He was busy trying to get Johnny to wake up.

"Roy, his legs are burned." Marco said softly. "They look bad."

"Let's get him out of here." Roy picked up the HT he found next to Johnny. Thumbing the switch he called the Chief for help.

He got nothing but static. "Parks? You got an HT?"

Parks pulled the black radio out of his pocket. "Here ya go, Roy."

"Thanks." He thumbed the button. "HT51 to Battalion 14."

"Battalion 14." McConnikee's voice came over the small speaker.

"Chief, we found Gage. He's hurt bad. Can you send in a couple more men and a stokes?" Roy tried to keep his voice calm.

"Ten-Four 51." McConnikee looked around. "Kelly, get Bellingham and grab a stokes, take it to the north-east entrance. DeSoto is there with Gage. Hurry."

"Right away, Chief." Kelly headed over to squad 65 and Bellingham. "Hey Bob, grab a stokes and come with me. Johnny's hurt."

"Again?" Bob Bellingham said.

"Hey, he won the efficiency award for our shift, remember that." Chet came to Johnny's defense.

"I was just joking, Kelly. Geesh." Bellingham pulled the stokes out of the back storage compartment. They also grabbed a backboard. "Grab the trauma box."

Kelly grabbed that and the other end of the stokes. They then hurried into the building.

They came to a halt upon seeing Roy sitting beside Johnny. "Hey, Roy." Bob called.

"He's burned, Bob." Was all Roy could say.

"Fuck." Bob cursed. "Chet, let's get this over there, then go back to the squad and grab two bottles of sterile water and the burn pack."

"All right." Chet helped set the equipment down then ran out to 51's squad and grabbed the needed equipment. He was stopped by Baskin.

"What are you doing, Kelly?" Baskin asked.

"Bellingham and DeSoto need this. Gage has been hurt." Chet spat out. He was so pissed.

"I don't think so." Baskin reached for the bag that contained the burn sheets.

"I gotta go!" Chet wrenched the pack out of Baskin's hand and headed for the building.

"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE KELLY!" Baskin yelled.

McConnikee heard the yell. He ran over to Baskin. "What in the hell is going on here?"

"Kelly just disobeyed a direct order." Baskin told his superior.

"And what order would that be?" McConnikee asked.

"That he not go into that building." Baskin turned to face his boss.

"I sent that man into that building in the first place, Baskin." McConnikee scowled.

Baskin grunted and turned to watch what was happening in the building.

Part Thirteen

"His pulse is strong, Roy." Parks said. "Pressure's a little high, but that's understandable."

"How's the legs look, Bob." Roy had stayed at Johnny's head. Talking softly to the now moaning man.

"Not as bad as they could be." He said. "Let's get him strapped down and loaded up. There should be an ambulance waiting. We can call into Rampart then and take care of him on the run."

They worked like a well oiled machine getting Johnny packaged up for the trip out of the building and into the awaiting ambulance.

Roy climbed in back with Johnny and Parks. "I'll bring the squad in." Kelly said.

"Thanks, Chet." Roy said.

Chet closed the door and hit it twice. He then turned and picked up some of the stuff that needed to go back into the squad.

"Kelly." McConnikee called.

"Yes, Chief?" Kelly bent to pick up some trash.

"How's Gage?" He asked.

"Not so hot, Chief. Roy said he had a broken arm and collarbone, as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his legs and lower back. I guess when he hit the ground his turnout got pushed up. Also a slight concussion." Kelly stood beside the drivers side of the squad.

"Well, you go on in. I'll stand the station down. Let you all take a break." McConnikee turned to leave.

"Chief?" Chet walked towards the man.

"Yes?" He said.

"I think Baskin had something to do with Johnny getting hurt. His HT wasn't working." He pulled the black box out of his pocket. "See?" He showed it to the Chief.

"I see. What else, Chet?" He spoke softly as he saw Baskin talking to Mike by the engine.

"Well, he sent Johnny into that building. Johnny told us before he passed out again. And then you saw Baskin trying to stop me." Chet shuffled his feet. "That man's had it in for Johnny from day one."

"I know, Chet. You don't have to worry about Baskin anymore." McConnikee gave the short fire fighter a pat on the back. "You do however need to head over to Rampart."

"Thanks, Chief." Chet got into the squad and started the engine.

Part Fourteen

Roy was standing beside Johnny while Early and Brackett worked on the injured paramedic. "How is he?"

"He's going to be fine, Roy." Joe Early said softly. "These burns aren't as bad as they look."

"That's good." Roy sighed.

"But, there will be a long and painful rehabilitation ahead for him." Joe continued. "I just hope you're there."

"Forever." Roy whispered. "So, what's next?"

"Well, we need to take care of the burns first, then set the arm and clavicle. Then once he's in ICU, I'll send a nurse to get you and your friends." Joe then headed down the hall.

Then men of Station 51's A-Shift sat in the waiting area of the fifth floor burn ICU section while the doctors and nurses got Johnny settled in a bed.

Dixie came out of the small curtained area and walked to the waiting room. "Roy?"

"Dix, how is he?" Roy stood and walked over to his friend.

"He's comfortable. He's also asking for you." Dix smiled. "Go to him."

Roy smiled and gave Dix a hug that took everyone by surprise. He then headed down to see his best friend and lover.

Johnny was laying in the bed sleeping. He was dreaming of heat, intense heat and Roy. He started moaning and thrashing about.

"Shh, baby. Take it easy. I'm here now." Roy whispered as he wiped Johnny's face with a cool damp cloth. "Shh."

Dixie watched as Roy wiped off Johnny's forehead. She pulled the sheet up to the paramedics neck. "He's going to be all right, Roy."

"I know. He doesn't. Man, Dix, I can't believe what Baskin did. He's the one who should be lying here, not Johnny." Roy spoke with a quiet tone, but Dix could tell he was pissed.

"What does Baskin have to do with Johnny being here?" Dix asked.

"He sent Johnny into that building knowing that the Chief had called for a pull out. He knew that building was unstable, yet he sent Johnny in there anyway. He wanted Johnny to go in there, he wanted Johnny to die." Roy's voice had gotten louder with each statement.

"That can't be true, Roy. Why would anyone want Johnny dead?" Dixie couldn't understand why anyone would want to hurt John Gage or worse kill the gentle man.

"Because I'm gay." Johnny managed to croak out. "And I made Baskin look like a fool."

Roy bent down. "Shh. Don't talk, Junior."

"Why?" Johnny asked. "My throat's okay, isn't it?"

"Aside from some smoke, your throat is fine." Dix smiled. "You get some rest, handsome." She then left the cubicle.

"Tired." Johnny mumbled.

"I know, Babe. You rest. I'll be here." Roy smoothed the sheet.

"Legs hurt, Roy. Burned bad?" Johnny continued to fight the fatigue.

"No, kiddo. Not bad at all. We thought they were, but they're not. You probably won't even need skin grafts." Roy placed the cool cloth on Johnny's forehead.

"'At's good." His speech as slurring from the pain meds.

"Sleep, Johnny." Roy whispered. "Sleep. I'll keep the dreams away."

"..ove you." Was the last thing Johnny said before sleep claimed him.

"I know." Roy said.

Hank Stanley was standing in the room. "Roy?"

"Cap." Roy stood and went over to his boss. "When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago." He said. "Come on, let's get something to drink and talk."

The two men went down to the cafeteria to get drinks and some food for Roy.

"So, tell me, what happened?" Hank asked.

"You went on vacation." Roy said. "It's not your fault, Hank. Johnny just has this way with people. Bigots mostly. Baskin claimed he had seen Johnny kissing some guy last week in a restaurant parking lot. Johnny was with me that night and he proved it. Baskin was pissed when Chiefs Shaw and McConnikee wouldn't believe him so he took it out on Johnny at the fire today." Roy sighed.

"I talked to the Chiefs and Brackett. Johnny has nothing to worry about." Hank said.

"What's going to happen to Baskin?" Roy asked as he toyed with his sandwich.

"They're asking him for his resignation. He could also face criminal charges. The last part is up to Johnny though." Hank sipped his coffee and watched Roy.

"Uh, Cap, Johnny sorta told Shaw, McConnikee, and Brackett that he's gay." Roy said in a soft voice. "How will this effect his job?"

"As far as I know, it won't. Now, how about you? Do you have something you want to tell me?" Hank had his suspicions.

"Uh, not right now." Roy stammered. "I'm going to go see Johnny." He stood and took his tray over to the trash. "When are you coming back?"

"Not for another shift. You are on leave along with Johnny, though. You've been through hell and need a break. Don't worry, you'll be paid." Hank gave Roy a smile. "Cheer up, Roy. You'll be able to take care of Johnny."

"Right, Cap." Roy left the cafeteria and headed upstairs.

Epilogue

Johnny healed fast, thanks to Roy being there with him. They spent six weeks getting to know each other better. Roy knew that he had made the right choice falling in love with Johnny.

"Hey, Roy?" Johnny called from the lounge chair he was sitting on.

"What Johnny?" Roy walked out to the deck.

"Come here. I missed you." Johnny waved his hand.

Roy sat down next to Johnny and pulled him into an embrace. He then kissed Johnny lightly on the lips. "Company's coming." He whispered.

"Let 'em wait." Johnny replied, not wanting to stop kissing his lover.