The Times, They Are a Changin'
copyright 2001

Part one.

Johnny was sitting at the table eating his lunch while working on his writing assignment for his advanced writing class that he was taking at UCLA. He was at the Campus Cafe sitting in the sun and enjoying the late September weather. He knew that the heat was going to climb as the Santa Ana's prepared the residents of the Los Angeles Basin for winter.

Johnny sighed and put his notebook into the pack that was attached to the back of his wheelchair. He then signaled the waiter for his check.

While waiting for the young waiter to return with his change, Johnny pulled on the fingerless gloves he used to protect the palms of his hands while using his chair. He smiled as he watched the young couples go by. What he didn't see was the four young men sitting at a table just inside the cafe.

Johnny took his change and thanked the waiter. He then rolled out onto the sidewalk and headed back onto campus and his car. He'd given up driving his truck in favor of the sedan as he could get in and out of it easier.

Johnny turned down the quiet street rolling along. He wasn't paying much attention to what was going on around him. This being the case, he didn't know what, make that, who, hit him just a few minutes later.

********

Johnny woke up feeling a world of hurt in his chest and abdomen. His head was also hurting and he could feel something warm and sticky running into his eyes.

Off in the distance Johnny heard sirens and silently prayed that they were for him. He was lying on the hard sidewalk with his head resting on the grass. As he became more aware, he heard voices around him. He desperately groped around for his wheelchair thinking that if he could get back into his chair then he would be able to get to his car and get home.

Johnny started fading as his hands still sought out his chair. He started moaning as the full effects of the beating took hold.

"Hey, you need to lie still." A soft male voice spoke in Johnny's ear.

"Whaa?" Johnny groaned as another wave of pain washed over him.

"Shhh, just lie still and take it easy. Those assholes are gone and help is on the way." The voice spoke again. "What's your name?"

"John, uh, Johnny Gage." Johnny mumbled.

"It's going to be all right Mr. Gage. My name is Kevin and I saw everything. I promise you, those punks will not get away with this." Kevin Conway continued to speak quietly to Johnny.

********

Roy was sitting in his office going over the next paramedic class schedule and wishing he were home with Johnny. He picked up the newest text book on Spinal injuries and started going through it. He was active in getting as much training to the paramedics concerning head and spinal injuries. As well as keeping them and himself updated on the newest treatments and techniques.

Roy had just closed that book and picked up the Medical Journal when the phone rang.

"DeSoto." He barked. He hated being disturbed during his lunch and planning hours.

"Roy, it's Dixie. Johnny was hurt over on the campus thirty minutes ago. He was taken to UCLA Med Center. They are getting ready to transfer him here to Rampart. Roy, the police are saying it was a gay bashing. Can you get over here right away. Johnny should be arriving in the next twenty minutes" Dixie McCall was a close friend of both Johnny and Roy.

"Yes, right away, Dix. How is he?" Roy was putting his papers into his briefcase and throwing out the remnants of his lunch as he listened to Dix.

"I don't know. All I was told was that he'd been severely beaten about the back, chest, head and abdomen." Dixie wasn't thrilled that she was the one to call Roy with this news.

"Thanks Dix. I'm on my way." Roy hung up the phone and raced out the door. He left Headquarters and drove as fast as traffic would allow to Rampart.

He normally trained out of the hospital, but on this day, he was between training so he was working on the next schedule that was set to start in two weeks.

Roy burst through the doors of the Emergency department fifteen minutes later. "Dix, is he here?"

"No, Roy. The paramedics that are bringing him in had to stop because Johnny became combative and they needed to restrain him." Dix looked very old and very tired at that time.

"Combative? Was there any sign of a head injury? If so, why are they transferring him?" Roy was highly frustrated.

"There was no sign of head injury when first brought into the Emergency room at UCLA. The reason for transfer is easy, his insurance. The Department is his insurance provider and they stipulate which hospitals firefighters and paramedics attend. It doesn't matter if they are active or retired from the department." Dixie looked none to happy about the situation.

"Dammit. Okay, I'll be in the lounge, call me when he gets here." Roy turned and headed for the doctor's lounge and some fresh coffee. He was upset about the way things had been handled.

********

Part Two

Roy was sitting at the table in the doctor's lounge waiting for Johnny's arrival. He was thinking back to last Thursday.

He and Johnny were sitting at the Campus Cafe enjoying the lunch and the weather. Roy had met Johnny at his classroom for lunch. Roy had pushed Johnny in his chair from the English Building to the Cafe. All told it was just under half a mile. Roy was now in excellent shape because of Johnny and the fact that his doctor threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't bring down his blood pressure.

They had eaten and talked for over an hour. Johnny had to get back to the Campus for his Lit test and Roy wanted to get some more work done at his office. They headed back to the English Building again with Roy pushing Johnny's chair. They talked quietly and intimately as they went along. Neither man was aware that they were being followed by some of the students from Johnny's Writing and his Lit classes.

Roy watched as Johnny rolled back into the building he spent three hours a day in. He then turned and headed for his truck.

"Hey faggot!" One of the students called.

Roy tried to ignore the voice and continued on his way.

Luckily there were enough people around that the four punks didn't try anything. They just kept yelling names at Roy. Roy just continued walking.

Roy made it back to his car to find that one of the tires had been slashed. He was parked in a campus parking lot all of two blocks from the building. He sighed and turned back to the building. He entered it and looked for a pay phone.

After calling the auto club, Roy went back to his truck and sat inside waiting for the tow truck to arrive. Roy's spare tire was not in the best of shapes as he'd recently swapped out tires. He had been meaning to have it replaced but he'd just been too busy.

Roy scanned the parking lot as he waited. He saw two of the four young men that had been taunting him outside of the English Department. He hoped that the tow truck would get there soon.

Roy brought himself back to the here and now when he heard the door to the lounge open. He looked up and saw Dixie standing there. "Johnny?"

"He just arrived." Dixie then let the door close as she left the room.

Roy stood and shook himself. He then went to the treatment room and peered in. "Kel?"

"Roy, Johnny's stable. He doesn't have a head injury. The problem that arose was from him not knowing what was going on and also not knowing where you were. He's asking for you." Kel held the door open for Roy.

Roy went into the room and straight to the exam table. He felt the tears well up in his eyes as he took in the sight of his lover. "Oh, Johnny." Roy tried to keep his emotions in check.

"Roy? They hurt me Roy. I can't find my chair." Johnny was semi conscious at that time.

"Shh, baby. Don't worry about your chair. I'll get it for you. You just need to relax and let Kel take care of you." Roy rubbed his hand up and down Johnny's arm trying to calm his lover of six years.

"Okay, Roy." Johnny closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath and stopped as the pain returned. He opened his eyes again. "Roy? Why did they do it? They were calling me all kinds of foul names. I would never think about using those words like that and yet they called them to me as they hit me. What did I do to deserve this?"

"Nothing baby, you did not deserve this. Remember how we used to talk about how you felt when bad things happened to others? Just remember what I told you." Roy leaned down and placed a kiss on Johnny's swollen lips. He could taste the blood from his lovers cut lip.

Kel stepped over and put his hand on Roy's shoulder. "X-ray's here, Roy. You need to leave the room."

Roy followed Kel out of the room. He was then met by a sheriff's deputy.

"Doctor? May I ask you some questions about John Gage?" Deputy Andy Andrews asked.

"What would you like to know, Andy?" Kel asked.

"How is Johnny? Was he hurt bad and why was he transferred from UCLA Med to here?" Andy asked. He'd known both Roy and Johnny for ten years. He'd been a teen when they had responded to a call that involved him and a tree.

"He's critical, Andy. We're waiting for the test results right now. As for the transfer, Johnny's insurance company requested that he be treated here rather than at UCLA when it was deemed that he was stable and able to be moved." Kel was bitter about this and the fact that no one called Roy right away like the card in his wallet asked.

"What I can't figure out is why they didn't take his wheelchair to the hospital with him. I was told by my Sergeant that the chair was being held as evidence." Andy spoke quietly. He had been on the scene three years prior when he had been run over by his Rover and left paralyzed.

"What?" Kel and Roy exclaimed at the same time.

"Yeah, they won't release his chair until they catch the bastards that did this and try them. I told the Serge that the chair was Johnny's only way of getting around and he just shrugged and said, 'Procedures Andrews.' and left the room." Andy couldn't look at either man.

"Those bastards!" Roy let lose. "I need to call Brandon and see what we can do to get his chair back." Roy then headed for the payphones.

Kel went back into the treatment room when he saw the x-ray tech leave the room.

"Johnny?" He whispered as he approached the table.

"Yeah." Johnny whispered back.

Kel started taking Johnny's vitals. He turned when a nurse came in with the test results. He frowned when he read the words. "Well my friend, you got a date with the surgeon of your choice. I am sorry, John. You have some bleeding in your abdomen and we need to get in there and clean up the ribs so that they don't puncture your lung."

"Okay. Don't let me go until I've talked to Roy." Johnny was trying hard to stay awake. The pain medicine that he'd been given was working it's magic.

Johnny was taken to surgery after Roy talked to him. He was in the OR for almost three hours.

Roy was sitting beside him after he was brought to his room. He stayed there until visiting hours were over.

********

Keith Manning, Doug Harnell, Brian McMann were sitting at the diner going over the events of the day. Doug was smoking like a chimney and couldn't stop looking out the door.

He kept looking at his car that was parked right out front. He knew that there was plenty of mud obscuring his license plate but he still didn't trust the neighborhood. His Nova stood out among the cars on the campus.

The three young men were all on the football team playing for UCLA's Trojan's. They had been playing together for two years.

Keith was watching the waitress work not paying attention. Brian nudged him with his elbow, "Hey, Manning, whatza matter?"

"Huh? Oh, that waitress over there. She's kinda cute." Keith kept his eyes on the girl.

"In a doggish sorta way." Brian said. "Let's split. Doug here is acting jumpier than a Mexican jumping bean. Hey Dougie, what's the problem?"

"The problem is I need to hide my car. After that stunt that you guys pulled today. Man, I think someone got the fucking plate numbers offa my car. Let's go." Doug stood and started digging around in his pocket for cash and keys.

The three stood and tossed various bills on the table before picking up their stuff and leaving.

Doug drove them back to the Frat house and parked in the back. He didn't want his car out in the street. Doug had a very bad feeling.

********

Roy was sitting by Johnny the next morning. He held his lovers hand and spoke encouraging words. "Morning Lover. You need to open your eyes for me."

Nurse April Martinez entered the room quietly. She watched the way the two men interacted. She had suspected that the two were involved physically for the few months that she'd been at Rampart. She remembered coming to work the first day and being almost run over by John Gage and his wheelchair. She smiled at the memory. Johnny had tried to sweet talk her out of going to Dixie and complaining about him racing through the halls.

"Roy? Is he awake yet?" April smiled at Roy.

"Not yet, but he is responding. He won't let my hand go." Roy smiled back at the nurse.

She went over and took Johnny's vitals. She smoothed down Johnny's hair and then gave Roy another smile as she left the room.

"Time to wake up babe." Roy whispered in his lovers ear.

********

Johnny didn't want to wake up. He was warm and not in any pain. Awake, he knew that he'd be in trouble and in pain. So he stayed asleep despite the soft familiar voice that kept telling him that it was time to wake up.

"I don't wanna, poppa." Johnny mumbled as he tried to snuggle down into the blankets.

"Oh, Johnny. Not again." Roy gently rubbed Johnny's arm as the man continued to sleep. "I won't leave you and I promise to take care of you."

********

Johnny was finally awake. He was also in pain. He looked at Roy and frowned. "I'm sorry, Roy. I lost my chair. I don't know where it is. Please, don't be mad at me." Johnny turned his head away.

"I'm not mad at you Johnny. I love you and I know all about your chair. Those yahoo's at the sheriffs department have decided that they needed to keep it for evidence. Brandon's trying to get it back for you. You just rest now." Roy brushed a kiss over Johnny's still swollen lips.

Johnny closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "I was so scared, Roy. I mean, I have no idea why they did that. I just let them beat me. Why did they do it? Why, Roy?"

"I don't know, Baby. They had several witnesses that told the cops the license plate number and the descriptions of the guys who did this to you. You are not to blame for this. It was a random act of violence. Remember that." Roy squeezed Johnny's hand and spoke softly as his lover drifted off to sleep.

********

Doug was sleeping soundly when there was a knock on the front door. Doug stretched trying to remember why he was asleep on the couch. He then stood and headed for the door as the knocking turned into a steady pounding.

"What?" Doug growled as he opened the door. He gasped when he stood face to face with two Sheriff's Deputies and the head of Campus security.

"Doug Harnell?" Deputy Andrews asked.

"Yeah. What do you want?" If Doug wasn't awake when he opened the door, he was now.

"We would like to ask you some questions, but first we have to inform you of your rights. You have the right to remain silent, if you give up that right anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you can not afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you at no charge. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?" Andy looked at Doug and noticed that the man had gone several shades of pale.

"No. I have nothing to say to you." Doug stood his ground.

"That's what we thought you'd say. Okay, Mr. Harnell, we have a warrant for your arrest for the assault of John Gage." Andy signaled to his partner.

Doug was being handcuffed when Keith and Brian came down the stairs. "What's the meaning of this?" Brian asked.

"Don't say anything, Dougie." Keith called after Doug as he was being removed from the house.

"What the fuck just happened?" Brian turned to Keith and demanded.

"How the fuck should I know. Man I hope his parents have a good lawyer." Keith then headed back to his room.

Brian cussed as he headed into the kitchen and the coffee.

********

Roy and Johnny were talking quietly in Johnny's hospital room. They had just heard that one of the men who had beat Johnny had been arrested. They only had to wait for the other three to be picked up.

Dixie brought in two tray's and set one down on the rolling table by the second bed and the other one down on the table in front of Johnny. "Now, I know you got here early, Roy, so I brought you breakfast too. Don't try to worm your way out of it. Johnny, eat. My God, man, you need to gain some weight. Hasn't Roy been feeding you?" Dixie had a twinkle in her eye.

Roy looked at Johnny then pulled the table over to him and lowered it so he could reach. He then pulled the lid off the plate and stared at the food. The fare was not usual food. In fact Roy looked at Dixie with a raised eyebrow.

"I went to the cafeteria. I told the dietician that Johnny's doctor wanted him to GAIN weight, not LOOSE his appetite." Dixie winked at Johnny.

"NOT funny, Dix." Johnny said with a smile. He too lifted the lid and was surprised to see his favorite breakfast of a Cheese Omelet and hash browns, bacon and toast. He dug in with enthusiasm.

Roy followed suit and Dixie left the men alone to eat their meal.

Soon both men were talking and laughing. They enjoyed their meal and for the first time since the beating Johnny smiled easily.

"They picked up one of the men this morning. A kid named Doug Harnell. He's not talkin though. Andy said we shouldn't get our hopes up about catching the other three men." Roy told Johnny.

"Figures." Was all Johnny would say. He pushed the table away and burrowed under the blankets. His side was hurting and his headache was back. "I want to sleep."

"You do that Junior. I'll be back this afternoon." Roy leaned in to kiss Johnny and was scared when Johnny flinched away from him.

Roy left the room thinking to himself. 'What happened to you to make you so scared?'

********

Doug Harnell was standing at the table in the interrogation room. He'd been in there for four hours and was still waiting for his attorney. He had called his parents and his dad had talked to one of the officers at the desk. He was then informed that he was on his own. Now he awaited a court appointed lawyer to take his case.

Marty Ingelstein arrived at the sheriffs building at 1 p.m. He was running late. He stopped for a cup of coffee before he went into the interrogation room.

"Mr. Harnell, I'm Marty Ingelstein and I'm going to be representing you in court. Now, let's get some information. How old are you?" Marty wasn't too happy to be helping this kid.

"I'm nineteen and my parents dumped me. I don't know where the asshole got the information he said he had but the cops are wrong. I didn't beat anybody up." Doug was trying hard to keep up his calm cool facade. He was failing miserably.

"Okay, now, where were you yesterday at one in the afternoon?" Marty asked Doug.

"I was at the Campus Cafe eating lunch and studying for my Lit test. We have a test every Wednesday." Doug answered.

"Did you know John Gage?" Marty asked next.

"Not really, I mean, he was in my Lit class but I never really talked to him." Doug was getting very uncomfortable. "Look, what kinda deal can you get me if I talk?"

"I don't make the deals but I can ask. What kind of deal would you like?" Marty was hoping the kid would be smart.

"I wanna walk. I'll give you the names of the guys who actually did the beating and why they did it but I wanna walk." Doug was hoping he could get away.

"Give me a minute." Marty then left and went to talk with the Detectives in charge of the case.

********

Andy Andrews was sitting at his desk. He was on temporary assignment to the detective squad. He looked up when Ingelstein entered the room. "So, what have you got, Marty?"

"He wants to deal. He wants to walk in exchange for the names of the kids that did that actual beating. From the reports I've read, Harnell was no where near the others that were beating Gage. He just drove the car. He also didn't vocalize much at the scene. Don't get me wrong, he's by no means innocent but I do believe that he did not beat Gage. His hands would bare traces of that." Marty looked at the reports.

"Well, I don't know. Let's see what we get first. Tell him the deal is contingent on the information he gives us." Andy then stood up ready to go back into that room and face Doug.

"Let's do it." Marty led the way.

********

Doug looked up when the door opened. He took another sip of the water that he'd been given. "So, what's the verdict?"

"We'll deal only based on the outcome. If the names you give us pan out, then we'll work something out. If not, well then you my friend take the fall." Andy turned on the tape recorder and sat down.

Marty pulled out a new legal pad from his briefcase and uncapped his pen. "Okay, Doug."

"There were three guys. Keith Manning, Brian McMann and Stuart Addison. We are all on the football team. Keith, Brian and I are on the first string. Stu's second string. Anyway, we saw these two dudes sitting at a table at the Campus Cafe last week. They kept making goo goo eyes at each other as they ate. We followed them when they left. This tall blonde dude was pushing Gage in his wheelchair to the English Department Building." Doug paused to take a drink.

"That's Clarrin Hall, right?" Andy asked.

"Yes. Clarrin Hall. Anyway, Keith and Brian went to the dudes car when they went into the building. The dude came right back out, but not before Stu saw them kiss. I sorta made the remark that we oughta do something about them. Keith is the one who got the idea to beat them up the next time we saw them. Keith had slashed one of the blonde guys tires." Again he paused to drink.

"That blonde dude's name is Roy DeSoto and he's a trainer and Captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He trains paramedics. And also for your information, John Gage is a retired Paramedic and a world class horse breeder. So you see, you hurt two people that you didn't know." Andy was hard pressed to keep calm.

"Chill dude, I didn't know. All I knew was that this dude from my English and Writing classes was kissin some guy in the hallways of Clarrin Hall and I saw it." Doug was starting to feel that he might have made a mistake.

"Didn't his being in a wheelchair make you stop and think?" Andy asked.

"Think what? He's a fuckin fag and he's kissin some guy. It doesn't matter that he's stuck in some damn chair." Doug dropped his gaze.

"I don't think I want to deal with this yahoo. He doesn't care about people and he started the ball rolling." Andy stood and made to turn off the recorder.

"Hey, wait, you said we'd deal." Doug stood.

"I said we'd deal only if what you told us panned out. Now, I'm going to go pick up your friends and see what happens. You better be telling the truth boy or I personally will bust your ass." Andy then left the room.

"You better hope your friends talk." Marty then put his notepad into his briefcase and left the room.

Doug was then taken to a holding cell to await transport to the county holding facility. His father refused to go his bail so he was being held. His arraignment was set for nine the next morning. He didn't expect to see his parents there.

********

Keith was sitting on his lounge chair watching the other frat brothers playing Frisbee. He took a long drag off of his marijuana joint. He knew that if the coach were to drive by that he'd probably be kicked off the team, but at that moment he didn't give a shit.

Over on the other side of the house, Stuart and Brian were sitting at a table playing poker with two other guys. They were all talking about the upcoming game against USC. It was the biggest game of the season.

********

Roy wasn't happy. Dr. Brackett had pulled him into his office before he had a chance to go up and see Johnny. He hadn't liked what he'd been told.

"Roy, something's wrong with Johnny. He's lost almost ten pounds and he hasn't eaten for two days. He claims he's all right yet at night he's been having violent night terrors. Roy, what do you know about Johnny's childhood and upbringing?" Kel asked.

"Not much, only what he's allowed to slip out. He knows just about everything about me but I know next to nothing about him. Do you think something happened to him when he was a kid?" Roy was baffled. He knew Johnny had nightmares on occasion, but they normally only happened after a bad run.

"It's a possibility. How's the chair debate going?" Kel was concerned that Johnny's chair wouldn't be returned at all. He knew that Johnny kept a lot of personal items in the pack on the back of the chair. He remembered taking off the leather gloves that Johnny wore.

"Brandon hasn't called me yet. I'm getting worried. If they won't let us have the chair, I hope I can go down an get his books and pack. He's worried about his Lit class, I called his Prof and he is letting Johnny do a make up when he can return to class." Roy was getting antsy. He wanted to get up to Johnny.

"We'll keep an eye on Johnny. I think it'll be okay to release him tomorrow. Don't say anything to him. Now, why don't you go up and see him." Kel dismissed the man.

Roy headed up to the fifth floor and Johnny's room. He wasn't really ready for what greeted him.

********

Keith threw his roach away when he saw the Campus Security car pull up followed by a Sheriff's car. "Shit. That little worm squealed. I'm gonna kill him."

Two Security Guards emerged from their car as another two sheriffs cars pulled up. All in all six men converged on the Frat House.

Stuart and Brian walked over to Keith looking for a signal from their friend and team mate. He just stood there and shrugged his shoulders.

"Brian McMann, Keith Manning and Stuart Addison? You are all under arrest for the assault on John Gage on Thursday Sept 26th. I am going to inform you of your rights then we will proceed to the vehicles for transport to the Sheriff's office." Deputy Wilson said.

Twenty minutes later they were all enroute to the Sheriffs office for processing.

********

Roy entered Johnny's room slowly. He had just heard about the rest of the arrests. He was hoping to cheer his lover up with that news.

His smile faded as he entered the room. "Johnny? Babe, you all right?"

Johnny laid flat on his back not moving, he sniffed, but didn't say anything. His eyes were closed with tears running down them.

"Oh, Johnny. Don't be sad." Roy pulled Johnny into his arms. "Kel tells me you aren't eating. What's wrong? Is there anything I can do or maybe bring you to get you to eat again?"

"Oh, God. Roy? What's wrong with me? I feel so scared. Not just occasionally but all the time. I still haven't figured out where my chair is either." Johnny sounded very lost and scared.

"I told you, Johnny. Your chair is still in the evidence room at the Sheriff's Department. Brandon's trying to get it back for you. As for you being scared, I don't blame you. But if you need someone to talk to, you know where I am." Roy continued to rock Johnny in his arms.

Johnny sniffed and reached up with his pajama clad arm to wipe his nose. "I'm sorry. Please, don't be mad." Johnny tried to move out of Roy's arms. He wasn't that successful. He had good upper body strength but without his legs, he couldn't get away.

"Johnny? Look at me." Roy lifted Johnny's chin, "I would like to know what scared you so bad when you were a kid. I need to know. You know everything about me and even after six years, I still don't know anymore about you than what you told me when we first worked together."

"If I told you, you wouldn't want me anymore. That's the main reason I never told anyone about my childhood. Whenever I did, the person dumped me like I had the plaque or something. I've been hurt so much that I decided that to keep that from happening again, I just wouldn't tell anybody." Johnny pushed against Roy's chest and this time Roy let Johnny lay back in the bed.

"I would never do that to you. Don't you get it? I love you and NOTHING you could ever say will change my mind." He leaned in and started laying soft sweet kisses on Johnny's face.

"Don't. Don't make promises that you can't keep. I know how it is. I've lived with it all my life. I can't live with it knowing that I made you stick to a promise that you regret making." Johnny let the tears continue running down his cheeks unchecked.

"Johnny, I would never make a promise that I didn't plan on keeping. Have I EVER, EVER, lied to you at anytime since we've known each other?" Roy took Johnny's hand in his and squeezed tightly. "I couldn't live with myself if I ever did anything to hurt you or make you not trust or believe in me."

"Really?" Johnny's voice was even smaller than it had ever been.

"Really. You can tell me anything. Also, if you'd like, Kel can set it up with a therapist, if you think that'll work." Roy again squeezed Johnny's hand.

"What about my chair? Will I ever get it back? And my books, I need to get them. I have a test on Friday." Johnny started getting agitated.

"Whoa, lover. Slow down. Brandon's still trying to get your chair back. If he can't he's going to petition the court to get your personal effects off the chair. As for your test, well, it is Friday today and I already talked to your Professor and he's granted you an extension for all work and your tests until you can go back to class. He also sent the syllabus for the next two weeks to let you get some of the work done ahead of time. This way you can maybe get ahead of the class." Roy smiled at Johnny.

"You mean he wasn't mad? Wow, I thought for sure he'd fail me." Johnny smiled for the first time in days.

"No one is mad at you, Johnny. Hey, they caught the rest of those creeps that beat you up. They're sitting in the County Jail right now as we speak. Apparently, none of the boy's parents want to have anything to do with them. They are all using the same court appointed attorney and the D.A. feels good about the case. In fact, he's going to come by Monday and get your depo." Roy almost gave away the fact that Kel Brackett was going to release him on Saturday.

"Good, I think." Johnny pulled the covers up to his neck and closed his eyes. This was his signal to Roy that he didn't want to talk anymore.

"You get some rest. I'll check on you later. Johnny, I love you. Just remember that. I love YOU." Roy stood and left the room.

"I know." Johnny whispered as the door shut behind his partner in life and love.

********

Keith, Brian and Stuart all stood before the Judge. They were real nervous because they were all being arraigned together.

"Keith Manning, Brian McMann and Stuart Addison, you are all here to enter your pleas in the assault on John Roderick Gage. How do you plead?" Judge Stimpson asked.

Daniel Westfalen stood up along with the three young men. He was the one who spoke, "Innocent your Honor."

"Bail set at ten thousand dollars per defendant. Court adjourned." Stimpson gaveled and got ready for the next case.

The three young men stood there looking at their attorney, they had been told that bail shouldn't be more than five hundred. Now they were facing bail of Thirty Thousand dollars with half of that needed to get all three out of jail.

"Hey, Westfalen, what did Doug get?" Keith asked.

"I don't know, Keith. I'm not his attorney." Westfalen finished putting his papers into his briefcase. He then turned to his clients, "I'll come by tomorrow and we can work on our defense then."

All three men were handcuffed then removed to the holding pen to await transport to the County Jail.

"If I find Doug, I am gonna rip off his head. I can't believe that asshole squealed on us." Brian spoke quietly.

********

Johnny woke up slowly, not knowing where he was until he tried to move and met pain and resistance. He turned his head and saw a pair of brown eyes. Eyes he recognized from a time gone by that he'd rather forget.

********

"Hi John." Jeff Gage said quietly.

"Jeff." Was all Johnny would say. He then tried to turn away from the man.

"How are you? The beating made the news back home." Jeff said.

"This did but my accident almost three years ago didn't. I now know where the towns priorities are. Beating of a gay man makes front page news, but the run in with a one ton truck that leaves a Firefighter/Paramedic paralyzed doesn't even rate. Figures. Look, what are you doing here, Jeff?" Johnny still wouldn't face the man.

"I came to see how you are doing. There's no need to be bitter." Jeff walked over to the window and stared out.

The door to the room opened and Roy stepped in. He saw the man standing at the window and thought that he looked familiar. He went to Johnny taking in the pale face and set features. "Johnny? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine Roy. You know what we were talking about earlier? Well this is Jeff, my older brother. He was the lucky one of the family." Johnny didn't try to hide the bitterness in his voice.

"How many of you are there?" Roy squeezed Johnny's hand.

"Three. I'm the middle child. There's a long story that goes with that statement, but right now I just can't tell it. Suffice it to say that Jeff never wanted to share anything with me. Not Mom or Dad or the house, his room, his toys, but mostly he didn't want to share our parents. He made sure that I was deemed a 'bad boy' from the moment I could walk." Johnny tried to smile but he just didn't have the energy.

"Damn, that had to be hard. I had a younger sister who loved getting me blamed for anything that she did. I finally convinced Mom and Dad that she was the one who did a majority of the bad things around the house. Did you try talking to your folks?" Roy sat on the edge of the bed slowly running his hand up and down Johnny's arm.

"Again, long story. Tell you what, you buy me lunch from the cafeteria and let me take a nap and I'll tell you all about my sordid childhood then you can have the nightmares and maybe then I can sleep in peace." Johnny looked back towards the window willing all away.

"Okay, Johnny. Kel said that you are ambulatory so I'll go get a chair and we'll get lunch and sit in the sun while we eat. Then you can rest and I'll come back with dinner and we can talk then." Roy stood to leave the room. He looked back at his lover and sighed. 'I think I just opened up a can of worms and I won't know what to do with them.' He thought as he headed down the hall to get a chair.

********

Kel and Dix smiled when they saw Johnny and Roy enter the cafeteria. "It's good to see him up. I think I will send him home tomorrow." Kel whispered to Dixie.

"It is good. But I have a feeling that Roy is about ready to bite off more than he can chew." Dix looked at Roy then back at Kel.

"Why do you think that? Do you know something I don't know?" Kel asked Dix.

"His brother's in town." Dix said with a sneer.

"Since when did Johnny have a brother?" Kel was hurt that Dix would withhold information about one of his patients and friends.

"Since Johnny came into the Emergency Room some 18 years ago. He arrived dirty and sick and beaten down to almost nothing. You hadn't started here at Rampart yet. Dr. Bradley was the head of the department then. He tried to turn Johnny over to Child Welfare, but Dr. Anita Maxy talked him out of it. She helped Johnny find a job and finish school." Dixie took a sip of her coffee and then gave Kel's hand a squeeze.

"I arrived in 1967 when did Johnny arrive here?" Kel was very interested. He wanted to know about Johnny's past as much as Roy did.

"He arrived July of 1966. He was fifteen going on thirty. We never found out who beat him up, but three hours after he was brought in this young man shows up claiming to be Johnny's older brother and guardian. I never found out what happened to his parents. Neither one would say. Anyway, Jeff, that's his name, came waltzing in here screaming for Johnny. It took three security guards to wrestle him to the ground and get him quieted down. I went into the treatment room where Johnny was resting waiting for a bed to open up on the Peds ward, we didn't know how old he was at that time and he wasn't talking. We had Child Welfare to at least give us the okay to treat the boy. Anyway, I went in to see him and I found him cowering in the corner shaking like a scared pup. It seems he'd heard Jeff out in the corridor and it scared the poor boy half to death. It took me a half an hour to get him calm enough to be moved." Dixie finished her coffee and stood to leave. "I need to get back to work."

Kel and Dix headed back to the Emergency Department together. Kel was thinking about his friend and how he could be helped.

********

Roy entered the room with dinner in his hands. He'd gone to Johnny's favorite fast food restaurant and bought all his favorite foods right on down to the vanilla shake.

"Hey, you hungry?" Roy smiled when Johnny tore his nose out of his book and looked up.

"Depends, what did you get me?" Johnny gave Roy a half smile. He just wanted to go home.

"Well, something easy for you to chew. I got you a plain cheese burger and a small fry and the biggest vanilla shake that they had." Roy pulled these items from the bag. He then took out the same for himself and they started eating.

"So, you wanna tell me what's been going on?" Roy looked at Johnny.

"Not really, but I will." Johnny sat up and made himself comfortable.

********

"Like I said, it started from almost day one. I was small for my age and my parents told Jeff that he would have to share with me since money was tight. Now, Jeff is four and a half years older than me. He was also spoiled rotten. Mom got one look at me and decided that I was a runt and didn't deserve new stuff beyond what she needed to care for a new born." Johnny took a sip of his shake. He had had to forego the straw as it was to thick for him to attempt to suck.

"Then Jeff walked into the nursery and told mom that since Dad was out working, he was the 'man of the house' and he didn't want me there. Mom tried to explain to him that he was stuck with me and this just pissed him off to no end. It wasn't that bad when our sister was born three years later. Jeff's real protective of her even today."

"Do you talk to your family or see them at all?" Roy just had to ask.

"I have a friend back in Montana who keeps me updated. I haven't talked to or seen anyone from my family in almost twenty years.

"Why?" Roy took a sip of his drink not wanting to think about what Johnny was going to tell him.

"They told me that if I left the house, then I was not to come back ever again. I left when I was about fifteen, I guess almost sixteen. You know, I almost didn't know when my birthday was, I found out when I got into school and they put the kid's names on the calendar for when their birthday is. I saw that mine wasn't on any of the school calendars. I must have started crying or something because the teacher asked me what was wrong. I told her that my name was never on any of the birthday calendars and I didn't know why. Anyway, Mrs. Johnston looked at my records and told me that I was born on August 28th. I also found out how old I was. You see, I had not been told about birthdays." Johnny stretched and scratched his head. "Roy, can you put me in the chair? I need to move around."

Roy helped Johnny into the chair that the hospital was providing him until he could get his own back. "What about your brother and sister? Didn't they have birthdays?"

"Well, when I was younger, before I knew about 'em, my parents would leave me with a sitter and take Jeff out to dinner in town or to a movie. Then when Sharla came along, they did the same for her, except they took Jeff with them." Johnny started 'pacing' with his chair.

"I'm sorry, Johnny. No one should ever be treated that way." Roy stepped up behind Johnny and put his hands on the handles of the wheelchair and took over the pacing for Johnny.

"That's okay, Roy. It took me a long time to learn that I didn't deserve to be treated the way I was while I was a kid. I still feel that way sometimes. You know, one of the biggest problems I had as a kid was the speech impediment. If I talked at all, it was with a stutter and stammer. It shows up sometimes even today if I get real upset." Johnny stopped the movement and sighed.

"I noticed the stutter a long time ago, Johnny. I just never thought to ask about it. How come you never told any of this to me or any of your other friends before?"

"Scared." Was all Johnny would say.

********

Dixie was sitting at her station going over some paperwork. She was tired and ready to call it a week. She was just getting ready to pull on her sweater when a man approached the counter. Dixie took one look at him and drew in her breath. "I'm sorry Mr. Gage, but Johnny isn't taking any visitors today."

"I remember you. You're that nurse that kept me from seeing my brother all those years ago. Well you can't stop me this time." He pulled some papers out of his jacket pocket.

Dr. Brackett and Brandon Chaney walked up just then. "Thanks Kel, I'll be sure to let Roy know."

"Are you the doctor takin' care of John Gage?" Jeff asked.

"Yes I am, and you are?" Kel sent a silent signal to Brandon to wait.

"My name is Jeffery Gage and John is my brother. I was told by this 'nurse' that he wasn't taking any visitors today. Now I have this piece of paper here that says otherwise." Jeff handed the legal papers to Kel.

Kel looked at them, then handed them to Brandon. "This is Brandon Chaney, he's Johnny's attorney."

"I don't believe it. That little twerp has an attorney? How the hell can he afford an attorney? The kids a fuck up." Jeff looked confused.

"First off, John Gage was one of the best paramedics in the County. He's now one of the top horse breeders in the Southwestern US. He's also a student of English at UCLA. As for affording me, his income is just a tad less than mine. The man averages Thirty to Forty Thousand dollars per horse." Brandon informed the man standing in front of him.

"What do you mean, was? Doesn't he work for the department anymore?" Jeff was now really confused. His father had told him that Johnny was breeding horses and was hurt in an accident, he didn't realize that he had left the department.

"After Johnny's accident three years ago, he was left paralyzed. He had to take disability and an early retirement. He hasn't been with the department since the paralysis was diagnosed as permanent. He's been breeding horses for ten years now." Kel explained.

"These papers say that you have power of attorney for Johnny. I find that hard to believe as the papers I have filed for him in the Los Angeles County Courts six years ago, state that Roy DeSoto has his power of Attorney and is also listed as his only next of kin. I am sorry, Jeff, but these papers are obviously forged and therefore are null and void." Brandon put the papers in his coat pocket then turned to leave.

"I want those back." Jeff tried to stop Brandon.

"Sorry, I think that a judge needs to see these papers. My advice to you is not to leave town." Brandon then left the area.

Jeff turned towards Brackett, "I still want to see my brother. I have the right to. I saw him yesterday with no problems."

"As of this minute, no one other than Roy, Brandon, Mike, Hank or Roy's kids are allowed in that room." Kel told Dix then he too left heading for his office.

********

Johnny was sitting back in his bed. His ribs were hurting and he had a headache. Roy had left after helping him back into the bed. He hadn't said anything, he'd just left.

Johnny was scared. He knew that that would happen when he told someone he cared for about his life. He felt the tears burning in the back of his eyes, he gave into them.

Dixie walked into the room noting that the room was dark and the TV was off. She approached the bed and heard the soft hitching of her favorite persons breath. "Johnny? What's wrong?"

"He's gone, Dix. I told him some things about my life and he left me. He didn't say goodbye or anything. I'm so scared." Johnny gave into the sobs.

Dix lifted the slight man and moved him into her lap as she held him. "I'm sure that's not true Johnny. Roy loves you very much."

"I'm not so sure about that, Dix. I don't know if I can get along by myself anymore. I'd been alone for so long then Roy came along and took away my loneliness. Now it's all back, in spades." Johnny sniffed and pushed himself back on the bed.

"Don't think that. I'll talk to Roy and act as a go between okay? Will you stop thinking bad thoughts until we know for sure?" Dixie ran her hand through his hair.

"I'll try." He then turned back over and stared out the window. Dixie walked around and took one of the pillows and put it between Johnny's legs.

"You just rest." Dix then pulled up the covers and left the room. She had a mission to go on.

********

Dixie drove the forty minutes to the Ranch that John and Roy had lived for over 6 years. She noticed as she pulled onto the lane that the gate was open. That was unusual. As she approached the house, she saw Roy's truck in the drive and not in the garage.

She saw the light on in the kitchen and Roy sitting at the table with the phone to his ear. She knocked on the kitchen door and waited for Roy to answer.

Roy came to the door with the phone still at his ear. He waved Dix in then went back to his conversation. "I know Brandon, I know. What do you want me to do?" Roy listened then spoke again. "I can't. I just can't. Look, Dix is here, I'll talk to you later." Roy then hung up the phone.

"What's going on Roy?" Dix started right in.

"Huh?" Roy looked confused.

"I left Johnny crying in his hospital room thinking that it was over between you two. Now, I want to know what happened." Dix sat at the table.

Roy brought over two cups of coffee, his laced with Kahula. "He told me that he didn't know how old he was or when his birthday was until he was in kindergarten. He said that his parents would take his brother and sister out for their birthdays and leave him with a sitter. He only found out because of the school calendar for the classroom didn't have his name on it. He didn't understand the concept of birthdays until his teacher told him. He also was small for his age and had a speech impediment that arises even now when he's real upset and scared."

"So why did you leave him without saying goodbye?" Dix was trying to digest the info Roy had just given her.

"I didn't want him to see how upset I was. I just wanted to get out of there before I said something that would further upset both of us." Roy didn't know how to make his feelings known.

Dixie excused herself and headed for the bathroom. It was then that she saw the luggage sitting by the garage door. She relived herself then went back into the kitchen.

"Going somewhere?" She tried to be nonchalant.

"Uh, San Diego." Roy said sheepishly.

Just as Dix was getting ready to let Roy have it with both barrels, the phone rang.

Roy reached over and picked it up. "Hello?"

Roy's face fell as the voice on the other end spoke. "You left without saying goodbye. You've never done that before. Why?" Johnny's little boy voice came over the other end.

"I don't know. I really can't tell you. I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry." Roy then hung up.

"Did you just hang up on Johnny?" Dix gave Roy 'that look' that made the man turn red.

"Yes, but don't ask me why. I really don't know why I am feeling the way that I am." Roy turned and headed for his bags. He wanted to get on the road. He'd called Jo when he'd gotten home and then he'd called Brandon and they had started to have an argument over Johnny just before Dix had shown up.

"So, you're just going to leave him? You two have been together for six years and have been through hell and back and now something from Johnny's past shows up and you turn tail and run. I never took you for a coward Roy DeSoto." Dixie headed for the front door and the safety of her car. She so wanted to strangle her friend. She turned and looked at Roy, "What's he going to do when he gets out of the hospital? Hire a nurse? I know that he needs you to help him with the everyday part of his life, a lot of it very personal. Johnny wouldn't like it to have a nurse there to help him shower and dress and use the bathroom at night. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Johnny would stop living if you left. So, you decide." She then closed the door behind her.

Roy sat on the couch and cried. He then picked up the phone and called his son, who was in College in San Diego. "Chris, I need you. Can you come up tonight? I'll pay for the trip."

"What happened Dad? You and Johnny have a fight? Let me speak to him." Chris had a feeling something was terribly wrong.

"Johnny's in the hospital, Chris. He's been there for three days. He was beaten up on the UCLA campus Tuesday. He was heading back to the parking lot by the English Department. He had made it as far as Frat Row. Four students attacked and beat Johnny in front of several witnesses. They knocked him right out of his chair and beat him up." Roy's tears had renewed themselves.

"Is he okay? Dad?" Chris could hear his fathers tears. "Are YOU okay?"

"I don't know. Just come. Do you want to drive or fly?"

"I'll leave in fifteen minutes. I'll be at the Ranch in two hours. You stay there." Chris then said his goodbyes and hung up.

Roy hung up and called Jo back with the change in plans. He then headed upstairs and crawled into bed. He wanted to sleep so bad. Life was getting so hard. He thought about taking an extended vacation to sort his feelings out.

********

Johnny laid in his bed and cried. He hadn't felt so low and alone in years. He thought back to what he'd told Roy.

Joe Early came in and took one look at his friend. "What's wrong, Johnny?"

"I think I lost Roy. I told him a little about my childhood and he left. I called him a few minutes ago and he hung up on me." Johnny sniffed and grabbed a tissue.

Joe poured a glass of water and gave it to Johnny. He knew that Johnny tended towards dehydration when he was upset. "I'm sure that Roy just needs to think. Call him again in the morning. I bet things will be better then."

"I'll think about it." Johnny then pushed the button on the bed that lowered the head and sighed. Throwing his left arm over his eyes he let sleep claim him.

Joe pulled the covers up after putting the pillow under Johnny's legs, bending them at the knees to aid circulation. He then left the room.

********

Chris DeSoto arrived at his fathers house a little over two hours later. He walked into the house finding all the lights off. He started getting a panicked feeling. He practically flew up the stairs hoping to find his Dad in the bedroom.

He was not disappointed. He found his father laying face down on the bed, crying his heart out.

********

Part Eight

Chris went to his father. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the man who helped raise him to be the young man he was today. "Dad? Are you sure you're okay?"

Roy rolled over and wiped his eyes. The need to sleep was overruled by the need to grieve. "Oh, Chris. I messed up so bad. I walked out on Johnny without saying goodbye to him, then I hung up on him. I'm so scared. He told me a story about his childhood and it upset me so much I just had to leave. Then I got confused about the way I was feeling so I called your mom and we decided that I needed to get away. I can't do that to Johnny. I can't leave him, he needs me for so much in his life. I just don't know if he'll forgive me."

"Dad, remember three years ago when Johnny had his accident, you and I had to go to therapy to handle all that had happened? Well, I think you need to do something to work through this. Johnny is finally trusting you with his dark secret past, so you need to get on the ball and help him tell his stories." Chris brought his father a glass of water and two aspirin. "How long have you been feeling this way?"

"Awhile. Then when Johnny got beaten it all just came to a head. I really shouldn't have encouraged him to talk about his childhood. I just knew that when he started talking about not knowing when his birthday was until he was five years old that I wasn't going to be able to handle it." Roy's tears renewed as he thought about his lover at five and not knowing that he had a birthday. "I'm scared about what he'll tell me next."

"Why's that?" Chris was now sitting on the bed next to his father. Roy and Johnny were still using the adjustable bed.

"I'm afraid to hear what Johnny has to say because I just know I won't be able to handle it. Johnny had such a hard life growing up and I guess the thought of Johnny suffering so badly kills me. It makes me hurt inside. I had a rough time with my dad dying before I got into high school, but at least I knew I was loved by my parents and family. Johnny didn't have that luxury, he was hated from day one for being small and having a speech problem. Dammit Chris, what am I supposed to do?" Roy turned to his son and took him into his arms. He needed to hold his son and feel his sons arms around him.

The two men held each other for several minutes. Chris broke away and got his father to go into the bathroom and change. He then straightened the bed and pulled back the covers. When his father came out dressed for bed, he helped him into bed and tucked him in. "You get some sleep. We'll talk about this in the morning. We'll also talk to Johnny in the morning."

Roy snuggled down and let sleep claim him. He felt better knowing that Chris was there with him.

********

Johnny was lying in the bed the next morning just staring out the window. He had been told by the night nurse that he was scheduled to be discharged that morning. He didn't know what he was going to do. He needed to wait until Mike was off work before calling him. He first needed to find a ride home, then he needed to find someone to come and help him out. He was not looking forward to a nurse helping him take care of the daily functions that Roy was always there for.

Johnny was still staring out the window when Brackett came in. "Well, good morning, Johnny. How are you feeling this morning?" Kel hadn't been informed about the rift that had developed between the two men.

"Okay, I guess." Johnny mumbled.

"What's wrong? I thought you'd be chewing at the walls to get out of here?" Kel went over to Johnny and sat on the chair that normally held Roy. "Where's Roy this morning?"

"Dunno" Johnny shrugged. "He left last night and didn't even say goodbye. I called him at home and he hung up on me."

"Oh, Johnny." Kel went over to the phone and started dialing. "Dix? Kel. Can you come in a little early today?....Thanks." Kel then hung up. He patted Johnny on the arm and left the grieving man. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Johnny didn't hear him, he was lost in his grief over the fact that Roy was pulling away from him.

********

Dix came in with the wheelchair and a bag. "Come on handsome, we're going home."

"Is Roy there?" Johnny set up the head of the bed so that he could get out of the bed easier.

"Yes, Chris is there too." Dix helped Johnny get dressed then transferred to his chair. She then pushed him out to her car where she coaxed Johnny into it. She then put the chair in the back seat and climbed in behind the wheel.

Johnny was quiet and sulky on the drive out to the Ranch. Dix tried to draw him out, but failed.

********

Roy and Chris were out in the barn taking care of the horses that were there. They didn't talk, just worked side by side.

Chris looked up when he heard the car. "They're here, Dad." They both wiped off their hands and headed for the front yard.

Chris went around and helped Dixie get Johnny out of her car and into the loaner chair. Johnny didn't like this chair as it had a higher back and didn't have the better wheels. He missed his own chair. It had become a part of him like legs and arms are a part of everyone.

"Hi Johnny." Chris smiled at Johnny.

"Hi, how's school? Aren't you missing classes?" Johnny asked.

"Today's Saturday and even then, I'd only be missing my government class and Social Science class. I all ready cleared the absences with my profs so I can stay a full week and help you and Dad get settled." Chris smiled.

"Oh, so long as you aren't missing anything important and that you won't get into any trouble." Johnny sounded real tired and sad.

Chris pushed Johnny up the ramp and into the house. He then helped Johnny upstairs and into his room. He lifted Johnny out of his chair and onto his bed with practiced ease. He got Johnny settled with his water and the TV remote. He then went downstairs.

"What's wrong with you, Roy?" Dix had started in on her lecture. "Johnny is certain that he said something that has made you decide to leave him. He honestly believes that he needs to plan for a future without you or the kids. Now, what are you going to do about that?"

Roy looked at Dixie and shrugged. "I don't know. I want to help him, but I'm scared of how I'll react."

"At least you're honest. I want you to go upstairs and talk to Johnny. Tell him that you still love him and need him. Most importantly that you WANT him. AS IS. All baggage included and that you will be there when he empties those bags" Dix steered Roy up the stairs and into his and Johnny's bedroom.

********

Part Nine

Roy walked up the stairs like a man going to the gas chamber. He had his head down and shoulders slumped. Both Dixie and Chris looked at the man and shook their heads.

"May I buy you a cup of coffee?" Chris asked Dix.

"Why sure. Thank you Chris. Did you spend any time with you dad and Johnny this past summer?" Dix was trying to get a handle on what the problems was between her two favorite people.

"Just the usual two weeks around Memorial Day. I missed the Fourth and Labor Day. Work interfered this summer. I worked for Johnny last year but this year I had a job down in San Diego with a local television station. I was a page there. This coming year though, I plan to be back up here with Johnny and Dad. Truth is, Johnny pays better." Chris chuckled as he drank down his coffee. He stood and went to the fridge. He pulled out a Tupperware container and opened it. "Want some?" He held out the container to Dix. Inside were various Danishes.

"No thanks." She poured herself another cup of coffee trying hard to keep from going upstairs and seeing what was happening. She instead watched Chris demolish the Danish. "How can you eat like that?"

"I'm a growing boy, Dix. I need to eat like this. Actually, I rarely eat like this. Between Mom and Dad, I have a very healthy diet. I don't drink alcohol, or do drugs. I eat very little red meat and A LOT of fish. I eat all my veggies and stay away from sweets. You know Dad was borderline diabetic three years ago? Well, now his blood sugar is under control. He still has problems with his blood pressure, I don't think it's stress related. His father died at a young age from a heart attack brought on by undiagnosed hypertension. Dad tries so hard to stay healthy. He and I run together when I am in town. He and Johnny also go out. Although with them, Dad runs and Johnny wheels. They have races with each other." Chris sighed as he finished off his second Danish.

Dixie smiled at the young man. "Yeah, you sure are."

********

Roy was sitting on the chair by the bed. He looked out the window not knowing what to say. "Johnny? Are you going to talk to me?"

"What do you want, Roy? I thought you made it clear that you didn't want to talk to me." Johnny stammered out. He was real upset so his long suppressed speech impediment started coming out. "Just tell me this, why? Why did you leave and why did you hang up on me?"

"I was scared." Roy sighed as he turned and looked at Johnny for the first time in almost twenty-four hours. He took in the red-rimmed eyes and the dark shadows under them. He also took in the hallow cheeks and all the bruises from the beating. "Oh, Johnny, baby. I am so sorry. I was so scared when you started telling me about your childhood. I had a hard time dealing with what you told me. I love you so much that it hurts. I promise, I'll work through these problems of mine, but you have to make a promise to me too." Roy ran his hand through Johnny's hair.

"What's that?" Johnny took Roy's hand and kissed the palm.

"You have to tell me everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, about your childhood and where you grew up." Roy leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Johnny's forehead.

"Okay. I promise. Let's find someone to help us though. I can't go through this with just you. No offense of course." Johnny smiled for the first time since the beating.

"Deal" Roy then captured Johnny's lips with his and pulled the man into his arms. Johnny ended up in Roy's lap and that's where he was when Chris and Dixie came into the room.

********

The trial of the three college students accused of beating John Gage went on without a hitch. There were three major witnesses who came forward, all three were students at the university.

Kevin Conway, 21 was the one who helped Johnny after the beating.

Peter Kenton, 24 and an Art History major, came forward even though he was deeply closeted.

Oroku 'Rose' Nagayama, 18 year old freshman just walking through the neighborhood also witnessed the beating.

All three were helpful in the conviction of Brian McMann, Keith Manning and Stuart Addison. All were found guilty of first degree felony assault and sentenced to no less than five and no more than fifteen years in the state prison.

Doug Harnell, was given probation for three years for his part in the assault of John Gage. He was also expelled from UCLA.

********

Johnny and Roy began therapy both together and separately with Dr. Jeremy Crickett.

It's hard going for both.

********

Part Ten

Jeffery Gage was on the phone in his motel room. He was not liking the way the conversation was going. "I know that Dad. Why do you want to see the brat anyway? I mean, it was you who told him that if he left, then he wasn't to come back. I tried that eighteen years ago, it didn't work then, I doubt it'll work now."

Philip Gage was not happy. He needed both his sons there. The lawyer stipulated that all three of his children be present for the reading of the will. He had sent Jeff to California to find John and so far, the reunion hadn't gone as planned.

Ruth Gage was sitting next to her husband while he yelled at his eldest on the phone. "I don't care how you do it! Just get his skinny ass back here ASAP!"

"Dad! You aren't listening to me! John is in a wheelchair and he was recently beaten up by a bunch of College punks. He's now home, but there are always people there. Some dude named Roy DeSoto is there all the time. I think they're sleeping together." Jeff had wanted to tell his father this bit of news since he figured it out.

"Tell me something new, Jeff. Now, I am going to call his house and talk to him, you are to then go over there and make sure that he gets ready to return to South Dakota with you." Philip was trying to keep his anger in check. He couldn't understand how his wife's parents could put into their wills that the first one who dies would require that Johnny be present for the reading of the will. It was also unbelievable that both had died two days apart. Granted, they had been in a car accident, but neither had shown any interest in any of the children.

Now all of a sudden, he had to bring together his family and they hadn't seen Johnny in almost twenty years.

********

Johnny was sitting in his favorite chair in his living room. He was watching Roy as he dusted the bookshelves. He had on a set of headphones that were plugged into the latest in audio equipment, a Walkman. He was softly humming with the song that was playing.

Johnny reached over and picked up the phone after the second ring. "Hello?"

"Hello, John." Philip Gage said softly.

"What do you want?" Johnny tried to keep calm, remembering the doctors advice so the he wouldn't stutter.

"I want you to come home." Phil again spoke softly.

"Why? You told me that I was never to return after I left all those years ago. I know you sent Jeff after me then, but then I saw him a couple of weeks ago while I was in the hospital. Why do you want to see me now?" Johnny was getting agitated.

Roy turned to look at his lover and saw the look on Johnny's face as he sat talking on the phone. He turned off the radio and took his headphones off. He caught Johnny's eyes and made a 'what is it' gesture with his hands.

Johnny put his hand over the mouth piece and mouthed, 'My father.'

"Your mother's parents died two weeks ago. Their wills stipulated that I have all three of my children present for the reading. You need to come home as soon as possible. Jeff is still in town and he's willing to help you." Phil was amazed at his ability to not sound how he normally did when he talked to his second son.

"Tough. I am in the middle of something and I can not get away." Johnny bit off.

"Look, you ungrateful son of a bitch. You mothers parents have demanded that you be in attendance in order for the will to be read and the estate dispersed. Now you get your skinny butt on a plane and get home." Phil finally lost his patience.

"It's not that easy, Dad. I use a wheelchair now and most planes make if difficult for me to travel. I do best going first class and a plane ticket at this short of notice for first class for two people is a little more than I can afford. I need someone, other than Jeff, to come with me, that someone is my partner, Roy DeSoto. He works for the Fire Department and can't just drop everything to make the trip. I also have a Ranch that doesn't run itself. Therefore I can't just drop everything. Now, as far as my being an ungrateful son of a bitch, well, that is your doing. You made sure I knew that that was what I was from day one. So, you're just SOL Dad. I have a life here and no plans on leaving it." Johnny began to feel smug. He had never been able to talk to his father without stammering and stuttering and sounding like a grade a jerk before.

Philip hung up the phone. He couldn't believe the impertinent ass. "That boy is still more trouble than he's worth."

Ruth looked at her husband and sighed. "Well, what do you expect? We treated the boy as if he wasn't wanted all his life. You expect him to come running to us with open arms at our request?"

"No, I don't expect that. What I do expect, is him obeying his father. He had no trouble doing that as a child." Phil was making no sense to his wife.

"Wait a minute. John had no choice as a child. It was obey or be ignored or beaten. Face it Phil, the boy is lost to us. He was lost to us when we chose to treat him like we did. Jeff takes after you so much, he didn't want John when he was a baby and demanded that I get rid of him. I felt that you didn't want him so I too turned away from him. He felt no love growing up. It's a wonder he even talked to you or Jeff." Ruth went into the kitchen to start dinner.

Phil sat in his chair with his drink and thought about what his wife told him. He couldn't figure out why he had treated his sons differently. Especially treating one son bad enough that he ran away and never returned. Granted, he did tell the boy not to. But still, he thought about it and came to the conclusion that he still didn't like the boy, and he still didn't know why. It could've been because he looked so much like his wifes Father, a reminder that the boy was half Indian. "Dammit! Why did Two Bears have to put that provision in his will?" He raged.

********

Roy watched as his lover removed himself from his recliner and worked his way into his wheelchair. He then watched as he wheeled himself out of the living room. He thought about what had just happened then went to the phone to call Dr. Crickett.

After hanging up the phone, Roy went into the kitchen and made himself a glass of Iced Tea. He looked out the window and saw that Johnny was sitting at the table on the deck looking out over the land that they both loved. He poured another glass and took them both outside.

"What's wrong, love?" Roy sat down beside Johnny.

"That was my father. The man who had told me not to make contact with him ever again. He told me that I had to go back to South Dakota right away. Something about my Grandparents dying and their will saying that I had to be there so that the will could be read." Johnny put his head in his hands and sighed.

"So, let's talk to Brandon and find out where we stand. If you do indeed need to be there for the will to be executed, then we'll go there together. We'll fly first class and bill your father for the flight. We'll stay at a hotel and only spend time with your family in the Lawyers offices. How's that sound?" Roy was very receptive of the idea.

"Okay. I need to call Jeremy and talk to him too." Johnny headed inside. Roy stopped him after he'd gone only a few feet.

"That's okay, I already did. We have an appointment tomorrow morning." Roy smiled at the smile that came over Johnny's face.

"You're not going to like it there. Remember all that I've talked about? Well, now you're going to see it up close and personal. Just promise me that if you have any problems, you'll talk to me." Johnny made Roy promise.

"No problem there, Love. Now, let's go eat. I am hungry and the casserole should be ready by now." Roy led the way into the kitchen and the table which he had set after he'd put the casserole into the oven.

They ate pretty much in silence enjoying each others company. After dinner, they both did the dishes with Roy washing and Johnny loading the dishwasher and drying the pots and pans. They had the routine down pat now after all their years together.

Johnny then went into the dining room and took out his books. He wanted to finish his paper on English Authors and Playwrights. He chose to write about Beowulf and how it could be understood in today's society. Johnny had read it both in the Old English and the Modern translation. He was really liking the Advanced classes he was taking. They were far better than anything there had been offered on the Reservation back home. He took the top off the typewriter and started where he'd left off earlier that afternoon. He wasn't going to class as often and when he did, he made sure that someone was with him if he wasn't going straight from the classroom to his car. Several of his classmates also made it a habit of accompanying him to his car when he was there.

"So, how's Beowulf coming? You almost finished?" Roy sat at the table and pulled his own paperwork out of his briefcase. He had twelve students in his training class and he was having trouble with two of them. He was just starting to grade the latest test papers.

"I'm just about finished. Then it's on to Dickens, Charles that is. I really hated the poetry we did last year. Hopefully we won't have to do it this year. I don't know who's worse, American writers and poets or English. Although I must admit, I like Poe. Now, there's a man who was sick but wrote great stories and poems." Johnny continued typing while talking to Roy.

Roy went and called Brandon after grading the third test and giving that person a failing mark. He silently cursed the educational system that was letting these kids out of school without the ability to read or write.

Thirty minutes later, Brandon showed up with Mike in tow.

"Hi there Roy. What do you need me for?" Brandon asked as he entered the house, accepting the glass of tea that Roy offered.

"Johnny has a problem and we need to discuss some of it with you. Hi Mike. How's it going over at 65's? Chet working out okay?" Roy gave his friend and former co-worker a hug.

After all were given drinks, they sat in the living room. "So, Johnny, what's the problem?" Brandon started.

"My father called and told me that my presence was needed for the reading of my grandparents wills. These were my mother's parents. For some reason, they put it in their wills that I was to be there for the reading of the wills. My father was quite insistent that I be there. He didn't even stop when I told him about my limitations. Now, I need to know if I absolutely HAVE to be there or if my Father is yanking my chain." Johnny was animated by the time he finished explaining the problem.

"Well, John, I am going to need some numbers so that I can check on this." Brandon had pulled his ever-present legal pad out of his briefcase and started making notes while Johnny was talking.

"Sure, Roy can you get my phone book? I think I still have the numbers in there." Johnny looked at Roy.

Roy went into the office and retrieved Johnny's personal phone book. He'd never looked through it before. "Here you go." He handed the black leather book to his lover.

Johnny opened it to a page that looked well used. He then passed it over to Brandon. "Here, these are the numbers you'll need."

Brandon noted the numbers, then closed the book and handed it back to Johnny.

Johnny put the book on the end table and picked up his tea. Taking a sip, he sighed. "I don't want to go back there. I will though if I have to. I know Roy will come with me, but I'd really feel better if you could come too, Brandon. I feel I'll need my attorney handy."

"We'll all go, John. In fact, let me spring for the trip and I can put it on the firms credit card. We'll go first class all the way. What city is closest to where you grew up?" Brandon smiled at Johnny.

"Well, I guess it would be Rapid City. At least that's where you'd fly into. We'd have to drive about four hours to get to my fathers ranch. It's sits right outside the reservation my Mother grew up on and her family still lives on. I went to school on the rez instead of in town because of the color of my skin. That and it's a free education and my brother and sister didn't have to SHARE schools with me." Johnny looked down at his hands. He was trying hard not to stutter.

"Okay, let me use your phone and we'll get everything taken care of." Brandon left the room and went into the office. Closing the door behind him, he went to the phone and started making his calls.

********

Part Eleven

"Okay, I talked to the Lawyer for your Grandparents and he confirmed that your presence is needed to expedite the will. I then called the Airlines and booked us on a Flight from here to Denver and then on to Rapid City." Brandon walked into the living room and went to the built in bar and poured himself some Scotch. "I also booked us two suites at the Grand View Hotel. And a van has been rented to travel to your folk's ranch. I checked and it's a little over two hours there. It's a small town that is outside the Pine Ridge area."

"Yeah. I guess I've been away too long. I try not to think of that place too much. I have no problem with Rapid City though. It's big enough that I won't feel out of place." Johnny sighed. He now knew that he HAD to go home again and face the people who kept reminding him that he was a nothing and didn't deserve to be alive. "When do we leave?"

"Friday morning. Roy, you need to get someone to cover for you. We should be home Wednesday night." Brandon looked at the men assembled in the living room of the Gage-Desoto Ranch in Los Angeles California and hoped that everything would go all right for his friend.

"No problem. I all ready called the Chief and Kel and my classes will be covered for as long as it takes to get this settled." Roy reached out for Johnny's hand. He squeezed gently hoping that his love flowed through.

"Let's do it. Now, I'm hungry, and you ARE staying for dinner. Roy, is Chris still here? I haven't seen him for awhile." Johnny smiled.

"Yes. He's out playin cowboy with the horses. Now, how about some steaks for dinner? And like Johnny said, you are staying Brandon and Mike. We refuse to take no for an answer. I think I can get Kel or Marco to watch the house and Dustin Hagel is one of the hands around here so he'll take care of the horses. None are due to be sold until next month. So we're good to go." Roy walked into the kitchen and started on dinner. Mike Stoker followed to offer to help.

********

Thirty minutes later the five men sat down to a steak dinner and friendly chatter. Johnny was more relaxed and Roy was easier to get a long with. They made plans for the trip and talked about the horses and Chris' and Johnny's classes.

Mike and Brandon left early as they had to pack and make their arrangements as well. They were leaving in two days.

Chris went out to enjoy the weather. He took the phone from the kitchen that had the longest cord with him. He wanted to talk to his girlfriend to let her know that he was staying in L.A. until Friday.

********

Johnny and Roy laid in bed listening to the soft voice of Chris as he talked to his girl on the phone. They were both cont