The Ten Dollar Engagement

Chet whistled as he entered the day room. Today was the day. He was finally going to pull the ULTIMATE prank on his favorite Pigeon.

Chet had gone to an amusement park and found this booth where they'd print anything in Newspaper form for Ten Bucks. Chet just couldn't resist.

Now, Chet knew that Roy had moved in with Johnny shortly after his divorce three weeks prior, and that he was mainly there to help Johnny while he recuperated from a bad upper respiratory infection.

Chet had a Society page made up with a picture of Johnny and Sheila dancing in their finest clothes that had been taken at the Fireman's Ball the year previous and had the head line read: "John Roderick Gage announces his engagement to Sheila Mae Holmestadt. John, a Firefighter/Paramedic with Los Angeles County announces his engagement to Miss Holmestadt, a Nurse at Carson's Rampart Emergency Hospital. The event happened Tuesday November Thirteenth Nineteen Hundred and Seventy Seven."

Chet set the paper on the kitchen table and poured himself a cup of coffee. He then went and sat on the couch to wait. He didn't have long to wait either.

Roy arrived at work that morning with Johnny. Both men looked rested and ready to go. They both changed in the locker room with Roy changing faster than Johnny. "Hurry up, Junior. You don't want to be late your first day back now do you?"

"I'm coming." Johnny said with a leer.

"Watch it bub." Roy said as he left the room.

                                - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
            
Marco Lopez was the first to see the paper. He looked from the Newsprint to his friend and frowned. "Boy, you've done it now, Chet." He whistled as he went to fill his coffee cup.

Roy was the next to arrive. He was followed by Mike Stoker. Mike went to fill the coffee cups while Roy sat at the table. He pulled the paper closer to get a look. His face turned redder than his hair as he read the headline and announcement. He looked around the room just as the door opened to let
Johnny in.

"Good morning." Was all Johnny got out. Roy was on him, pushing him up against the fridge.

"When were you going to tell me? Huh?" Roy bellowed.

"Tell you what?" Johnny was confused. He thought that everything was all right.

"This!" Roy threw the newspaper at his lover for him to read.

Johnny read the paper and blanched. "I have no idea what this is about. Honest. I don't even know Sheila, I mean, I know her I've just never dated her. Hell, you know we danced at the ball last year. You were there." Johnny pushed Roy away from him and headed out the door. "I thought you liked me, Roy, but I guess I was wrong."

                                - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hank Stanley was sitting in his office, blissfully unaware of what was happening to his crew. He was looking at the picture of his brand new granddaughter, who had made her appearance on Saturday and here it was Sunday. He was still beaming. He looked up at the knock on the door. "Come."

Johnny opened the door slowly. He stood just inside with his head down and the paper scrunched in his hands. He didn't look up as he closed the door behind him. "I think I need a transfer." Johnny spoke with a quiet voice.

"WHAT!" Hank asked.

Johnny held the paper out to his boss. "I don't know what's happening, but Roy saw this....it's NOT true, but he still.....Roy hates me, Cap!" Johnny sank into the chair and dropped his hands into his face. "I can't stay here, not today. Please let me go home. I just wanna go home."

Hank read the paper and knew right away who was responsible for his paramedic wanting to commit career suicide. He placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder giving it a squeeze. "Stay here." He said as he left the room.

Johnny cringed just certain that he was in trouble.

Johnny sat there waiting. As he waited he came to a decision. He pulled his pen out of his pocket and wrote the note.

Cap.

I'm sorry to do this, but I have no other choice. Roy no longer likes me because of this stupid newspaper announcement and someone else here doesn't want me around anymore, so I am going to do what they want and leave. I'm sorry it had to be this way. I will turn in the formal resignation tomorrow at Head Quarters. I think it’s best that you don't come around the ranch anymore and that I stay away from you all. I don't want whoever’s responsible for this to take it out on you if they find out you've been at the ranch. Again, I'm sorry.

sincerely
John Gage

Johnny then took his badge off and set it, along with his car keys, so Roy'd have a way to get home, with the note and left the station through the public entrance in Captain Stanley's office. He didn't look back, just walked away.

                                - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hank Stanley stood in the equipment bay gathering his emotions. He entered the day room and looked around at the men assembled there. Mike and Marco were sitting with Roy at the table softly talking.

Chet sat on the couch with a smug look on his face.

Captain Stanley drew a deep breath. "All right Kelly, what is the meaning of this?" He waved his arm around the room.

Roy looked up. "Why are you mad at Chet?"

"Because this is just the thing that Chester B Kelly would dream up." Hank held up the newspaper.

Roy stood suddenly feeling very sick. "Uh, Cap."

"Sit down, DeSoto." Hank had never used Roy's last name before.

Roy sat.

"Now, Chet, why did you do this? John is in my office right now asking for a transfer. Now, I want to get this settled before I loose my best paramedic and best friend." Hank sat on the table and glared at his firefighter.

Roy raised his head. "It's my fault, Cap. I shouldn't have attacked him. I'll go talk to him." Roy stood to leave.

"I said SIT!" Hank was pissed. "I want an answer, Kelly, NOW!"

                                 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
                                             
Johnny slowly unpinned his badge and set it along with his keys on Hank’s desk. He then walked out the door leading to the street. He didn't look back, he couldn't.

While Johnny was leaving, Hank was still ranting about the prank.

"Look Cap, it was just a prank. No harm, no foul." Chet stood and walked to the table. "It's not my fault those two took it out of context."

Roy reached for Chet, "NO FOUL?! Why you! I almost hit my L....best friend." Roy caught himself.

"Aw Roy, you know there's times when Gage needs some sense knocked into his head." Chet still was feeling smug.

"Chet, you don't know SHIT! Johnny trusts me. At least I hope he still does. He's my best friend. I should have never lifted my hand to him. Haven't you ever noticed how he avoids confrontations that could turn physical? Haven't you noticed? Hell, he avoids them like the plague. He's taken all you dish out without lashing out. I'm surprised he hasn't beaten the shit out of you. He was abused as a kid. And he was AFRAID of me, dammit. Cap, I need to go to him, NOW!" Roy finished his rant.

"All right, Roy. you go to him. See if you can talk him into staying. I'll stay here and handle this twit." Hank sighed.

Roy walked to the office. Outside the door, he stood listening. Not hearing anything he entered. He entered an empty room. "Damn." Roy walked over to the desk. He picked up the badge and keys sitting there. He then read the note. "Damn, damn, damn." Roy then headed for the day room.

Hank was sipping a cup of coffee when Roy entered.

"He's gone, Cap." Roy stated as he handed Hank the note.

Hank took the note from Roy. "What?!" He then read the note. Stopping, he looked over at Chet. "Consider this a FINAL WARNING, Kelly. Once replacements are here, you're suspended for three shifts without pay. Roy, come with me." Hank then headed for his office.

Once in the office, Roy sat while his boss called in for the replacements. His eyebrows went up when he heard the man request two paramedics to go with the one firefighter.

"Now Roy, I'm pulling you off duty because I need to get to the bottom of this. What is going on between you and John?" Hank smiled at his Senior Paramedic.

Roy blanched. "I don't know what you mean."

"Hey, pal, it's all right. Roy, are you and Johnny involved?" Hank again made sure to smile.

"Yes." Roy whispered. "We are. Are we fired?"

"What? NO! I can't lose you two to some bigoted assholes at Head Quarters. No, I won't say anything. Why don't you go change and take Johnny's clothes with you. You find your friend and take care of him." Hank placed a friendly hand on Roy's shoulder. "I'm sure you'll work everything out in no time."

Roy nodded then headed for the locker room. He took his time changing while waiting for replacements. Mike came in and opened Johnny's locker. He picked up the gym bag in there and started putting Johnny's clothes in it.

Roy finally stood, ready to leave. "Thanks Mike."

"Roy, if you ever need to talk, you have my number. Don't hesitate to call." Mike said as Roy left the room.

"Thanks again, Mike. I will." Roy then turned and headed out of the
station.

                                 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
                                        
Johnny sighed as he walked up the quarter mile lane that led to the house. He knew no one was home as the gate at the beginning of the lane had been closed and locked as he had left it just a few hours earlier.

Once inside, Johnny began to strip. He ended up in his shorts in front of the fridge. He pulled out a six pack of Millers and grabbed the bottle opener and a bag of Fritos. He then headed for the couch. He turned on the TV to some cheesy movie and sat down. Cracking open the first bottle, he guzzled the beer feeling it warm his cold, tight belly and ease the tension he'd been feeling since the whole thing started.

Soon, Johnny had polished off four of the six bottles. He pulled the quilt off the back of the couch and wrapped it around his slender body. He soon gave into the alcohol induced sleepiness and fell deeply asleep.

Roy came in from the barn surprised to see Johnny asleep on the couch. He also saw the number of bottles on the coffee table and sighed. He then went to the phone and called his friend, Brandon. They talked for a few minutes, then Roy hung up. Grabbing his keys and jacket, he quietly left the house.

                                 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Johnny woke up two hours later. He didn't feel any better, but was sure that after he dressed and cleaned up, he'd have time to get his stuff together and load his horse into the trailer. He didn't know where he was going to go, but he knew he had to leave. Who wants to live with someone you don't like, after all?

Johnny had come down the stairs dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. His feet were in warm socks. He headed for the coffee table and the mess on it.

He heard the door open just as he got to the kitchen. He looked at Roy. Startled, he dropped the bottles and bag of chips and ran. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here. Please, give me a few minutes." He continued saying as he ran up the stairs.

Roy stood still for a minute, then picked up the bottles and swept up the chips. Sighing, he headed up the stairs, "Dammit, Johnny." He knew where his lover went and was kicking himself for not calling to let Johnny know he was on his way home.

Standing outside the bedroom door, Roy listened. "There." He said as he quietly pushed the door open.

Johnny was hiding in his usual place, the big walk in closet in the master bedroom. Roy slowly opened the door and sat on the floor. "Johnny? Love? Come on out. It's okay, hon."

Johnny stopped crying when he heard the door creak open. Wiping his eyes, he looked at his lover. "I'm sorry, Roy. I'll leave. I know I got you into trouble, so I'll go away. Just let me take my horse."

"Johnny, babe, you DO NOT have to leave. NEVER! I am not in trouble and neither are you. Chet set you up. He drew a Final and a three day suspension because of that prank. Believe me, I'm the one who's sorry. I NEVER, EVER meant to hurt you! I know there will be times in the future that I might hurt you again, but I will NEVER intentionally hurt you. Will you please come here?" Roy poured his heart out.

Johnny slowly moved forward. "I'm not in trouble? You and Cap aren't mad? I'm sorry I scared you and made you angry with me, Roy."

"I'm the one who's sorry, Johnny. I'm sorry I scared you. Come here." Roy opened his arms and smiled when Johnny scooted into his lap. He folded his arms around his lover and kissed his head. "I love you John Gage. FOREVER."

"I love you too, Roy." Johnny whispered.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

The end, or is it?

This is part of the Long and Winding Road Universe

Back to Stories