This story follows Snakes and Snails and Puppydog Tails in my Johnny/JR Series A Serious Cramp in My Style by Nexxie The back deck was peaceful as Roy DeSoto and John Gage sat soaking up the late morning sunshine. It was uncharacteristically cool for August; by now the two would have normally sought the comfort of air conditioning. Each was parked in 'his' chair---Roy's a folding lawn chair with brightly colored webbing and Johnny's a straight-backed kitchen chair. Roy was scanning the morning paper while John leaned forward, elbows on his knees, appearing to be in abject misery. Roy folded his paper, realizing that he was ignoring their guest---even if he was more family than guest and quite used to being ignored. "I got a letter from Chris today; he seems to be settled in. He says classes are due to start the 26th. He's sorry he won't make it back for your birthday" Roy DeSoto was proud of his son being in college and talked about him to anyone who would listen. Right now his only audience was his former partner, John Gage. "Hey, that's good to hear," Johnny said, his mind obviously not on the conversation. Normally he would ask to read the letter, being a proud and affectionate 'uncle'. He's in another blue funk. You can never tell what is going on in that slightly squirrelly mind of his. John Gage can manufacture a disaster of the greatest magnitude out of a paper cut. He can also remain positive and cheerful when everyone else is sure it's the end of the world. He's a nut...and therein lies his charm. Roy smiled slightly and shook his head. "Johnny, what's wrong?" "Roy, I think I've lost it," Johnny said sadly. I'll buy that, Junior, Roy thought to himself before saying, "What have you lost this time?" "It! I've lost my style, my famous 'Gage charm' !" At Roy's continued smile, Johnny became more emphatic. "Roy, how many dates have I been out on since I made captain? Zero! How many women have I met since J.R. moved in? Zero! I've become an old married man without even having a wife!" "Well, who's fault is that, Johnny?" Joanne DeSoto asked as she stepped out onto the deck, a glass of iced tea firmly in her grasp. "Ahh...ahh...ahh," she said shaking her head as two male hands reached for the glass. "It's the maid's day off. The pitcher is on the kitchen counter. Get your own." Roy stood and muttered something about not being able to get good help these days. Seeming to be angry, he winked at Joanne as he went to get tall glasses of tea for himself and his friend. A momentary flash of his legendary grin appeared before Johnny returned to his self-inflicted depression. "Joanne, you don't understand. I haven't had a date in ten months...ten months! Me!" Johnny was gesticulating wildly as he paced the deck, his arms flying like windmills. He pointed emphatically at his chest, "I've lost it!" "Do you know what happened the last time I called a girl?" he continued as Joanne settled back to watch the show. Johnny was in full rant mode, something she hadn't seen for months and she kind of missed it. "Do you know what happened? She agreed to go out with me, but only if I brought my son along! Honestly, take J.R. on a date with me? This has happened three times now...with three different girls. They all want to see my son. J.R. and I have become some kind of...of...of freak show!" Johnny stopped to take a drink of the tea Roy brought out for him, but spewed it all over himself when Joanne asked wickedly, "So, did you enjoy the three dates?" "Enjoy the three dates? Enjoy the three dates! Of course I didn't enjoy the three dates. I told 'em to forget it. I'm not gonna be anybody's freak show. I told ya, I haven't had a date in ten months. I've lost it." Johnny stomped glumly back to "his" chair and sat down, staring unseeingly at the oak planks of the deck. "Well it seems to me," Joanne ventured, not ready to stop teasing, "that if you turned down three dates, it's your own fault. Why didn't you take one of them up on it? It could have been a real education for J.R." "Take my kid with me on a date? Joanne you..." he faltered upon seeing the devilish gleam in Joanne's eyes. "You don't understand," he finished morosely. Roy said nothing, waiting for Johnny to finish his tirade. Then in a quiet, reasonable tone he questioned his friend. "Have you been unhappy, Junior, these last ten months?" Johnny looked at Roy as if he had lost his mind. "Of course not. Being a captain is a real adjustment, but I love those guys. And having J.R. in my life is just about the best thing that ever happened to me." "Then why are you so upset?" "Because I've lost 'it'! Roy, chasing girls and going on dates is part of who I am...or was. I've lost part of myself, and I don't know whether I can get 'it' back!" Johnny was still clearly upset. Joanne sighed. Johnny, you didn't lose anything of importance, she thought, but you found something vital. Now if YOU can just figure that out. The only thing you've lost is that desperate look. Once you get comfortable with the way things are, you're gonna have to run from all the women chasin' you. "Relax, Junior," Roy said, his thoughts running similar to Joanne's, "you'll get 'it' back, if you're meant to. But if you don't, and losing 'it' was the price you paid for becoming a captain and gaining a great kid like J.R., wasn't losing 'it' worth it?" "Yes, but..." Johnny's woebegone look returned, "you don't understand." Roy smiled. You haven't lost it, Junior. It's still right there...you just covered it up for a while. ******************* The greatroom was quiet as Johnny walked into his home at the ranch. J.R. spent the afternoon with the guys from Station 15 who were celebrating the Riley twins nineteenth birthday with a barbecue and picnic. Cap Riley's daughters, Gage heard via the Department grapevine, had a crush on J.R. His son's soft voice echoed from the stairwell and he could see the long springy cord of the telephone snaking around the corner from the kitchen and up the stairs. He chuckled. J.R. may have been a deprived child, but he's acting like a teenager now. "...about seven o'clock, right? Okay, I'll be ready. See ya." J.R. hung up the phone, his eyes sparkling as he came down the stairs and nearly ran into his dad. "I have a date!" he crowed triumphantly. That's great, son." Johnny tried to be enthusiastic. "Anybody I know?" "As a matter of fact," he answered, just the tiniest bit cocky, "it's the Riley twins!" "Both of 'em?" Johnny squeaked in amazement. "Well, no," J.R. admitted, "just one. The other one is Dave Konnitsky's date." When Johnny's Crew got together after shift for barbecues and other social events, J.R. often went with his dad. Over time Gage-2, as they called J.R., and Konnitsky, the youngest member of Johnny's Crew, became good friends. "Which twin is your date?" Johnny asked idly. Kalie and Karen Riley were identical and very few people could tell them apart. They were also very popular; getting a date with them was a real feat. "We'll figure that out later," J.R. said happily, unconcerned with what seemed, to him, a minor detail. I know what happened, Johnny thought to himself, I lost it and he found it. For a moment the elder Gage looked accusingly at his son, then shook his head. I think what I've lost is my mind. Crossing to the rolltop desk in one corner of the greatroom, Johnny retrieved the small black address book that had fallen into retirement of late. Flipping through it, he held one finger down to mark the page as he crossed the room to the now available telephone and dialed a number. "Hi, Liz? How's it goin'? This is John Gage..." ******************* As bowling scores went, his were pretty low tonight, Johnny reflected as he sat in the bowling alley's darkened lounge sipping his second beer...but then there were compensations. He'd generously allowed Liz to win, throwing away spare after spare, in order to view the tantalizing little wiggle she performed whenever she was ahead. Besides, he planned on scoring better in a different game tonight. As he sipped his tall glass of beer, Johnny's lopsided grin began to appear full force. In his address book her name had three stars beside it. She was as eager for this date as he was and the evening had been a success thus far. Yep, he still had 'it'. Liz nursed her one beer all evening...but then nursing was her specialty. Gage knew Liz was careful to watch her weight; he kind of liked watching it too, or rather the way it was distributed. She worked up on the men's surgical floor at the hospital---had for the last six years---and met Johnny during one of his not infrequent stays at the Rampart Hotel. Nurse Liz Preston gave him very special attention. Right now she was giving him "that look". Yes! ******************* Johnny definitely had his attractions, Liz decided. A longing gaze from those beautiful eyes could melt a girl's resistance in very little time...if she wanted to resist, which Liz had no intention of doing. He was, she recalled, considerate and energetic---that's what prompted her to accept this date, she could use a little consideration. But there was something different about him this time. If she had to give it a name, she would say confidence...and maturity. He wasn't tripping all over himself to please or giggling nervously. Liz Preston sipped her beer carefully and licked the suds from her lips with a calculated slow move. She watched in amusement as his eyes darkened. This evening was going just just the way she wanted. Suddenly Johnny stiffened and looked toward the door that led to the noisy bowling alley outside the dimly lit lounge. Liz followed his gaze, but was at first unable to distinguish anything unusual or interesting. She was half expecting to see some old flame of his, or a friend coupled with someone he shouldn't be. The only newcomers were a quartet of four young people who didn't quite look old enough to walk legally through the door. The oldest looking of the group was a young man with flaming red hair, his face covered with freckles, but handsome in an outdoorsy way. The two girls were obviously in their late teens, identical twins in dress-alike outfits with long dark hair and pretty, but not striking, features. The fourth person had his head averted at first, but when he turned, Liz immediately understood Johnny's preoccupation. So it was true! For the last several months the halls of Rampart Hospital were buzzing with news about a certain paramedic turned captain who suddenly found himself in possession of a grown-up son. Someone on the third floor said that both of them were admitted together overnight one time in April, but nobody would confirm it. Miss McCall scotched the gossip in short order and in no uncertain terms. The lives of the firemen, she'd said were not to be fodder for the rumor mill and if the nurses had nothing better to do, she would find something. The talk diminished, and when nobody actually saw Johnny with his son, died out altogether. But now...it was certainly no rumor. And there was no doubt who the boy's father was. Suddenly Liz looked at Johnny in a new light. That's what is different about John Gage...he's grown up. Fatherhood agrees with him, she decided. She was looking forward to the remainder of the evening more than ever. And...maybe the other nurses didn't need to know about it. Who knew where this new 'maturity' might lead. ******************* Johnny stood and made his way to the other side of the rectangular bar, pausing to quickly snatch a glass of beer from the surprised hand of his still-nineteen-year-old son. "Thanks, J.R.," he said with a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. The elder Gage looked at the bartender, nodded toward the foursome at the bar and slowly shook his head. "Evening, Dave, girls. Why don't you guys have a Coke and find some lanes?" Gulping nervously, Dave Konnitsky picked up one of the glasses as the bartender quickly replaced their beers with four colas, and moved to usher Kalie and Karen Riley from the lounge. Johnny indicated he would be paying for the soft drinks then turned to confront his son. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you could get into doing this?" he hissed, furious that the kid would be this stupid. His son's face turned stormy as the Gage temper flared. The two men wore identical expressions of outrage. "If I want your advice or your interference, Captain Gage," J.R. ground out between clenched teeth, "which I don't, I will ask for it---which I didn't." Turning abruptly away from his father, the young man walked out of the bar. Johnny's fists were clenched in tightly controlled anger. He realized that he had no real authority over J.R., but he hoped his influence wouldn't be quite so openly rejected. Suddenly he felt a soft tap on the shoulder. "Hey," Liz said seductively, "remember me?" Resuming his seat at the bar, Johnny picked up his forgotten beer and took a long draught. That hadn't gone well at all. Suddenly the bartender appeared in front of him and Gage prepared to settle up. "Forget it," the man said as he saw Johnny reach for his wallet. "You might just have saved my job tonight. My boss is a stickler for checking I.D.'s and I was too preoccupied to pay attention to those four. Thanks. No charge for their drinks...or yours." The man figured this guy was watching out for his little brother, and the kid was unhappy about it. Suddenly tired, his mood spoiled, Johnny looked at Liz and said, "If you're ready, I'll take you home now. Tomorrow's a work day." Disappointed, but not completely discouraged, she answered, "Sure, Johnny, another time perhaps. I have to work tomorrow too, so it's probably for the best to get an early night." She walked beside him out of the bowling alley, her sideways glances and the way she made sure to touch his arm as they walked indicating an eagerness to see him again. ******************* J.R. realized that as decisions went, going into the bar was not a very good one. But it was his decision, he thought mutinously, and it really wasn't Johnny's place to overrule it. He was Johnny's tenant, not his ward. He'd been humiliated in front of his captain's daughters and made to look like an immature fool---nevermind whether he deserved it. I'm not sure this relationship between me and my father is going to work out after all. I'm a man, not a little boy, and he's got to realize that. He can't dictate my actions now just because he missed out all those years. He can either accept me as an adult, or I can move out. J.R. sighed miserably. Trouble is, I don't want to move out. This is the first time he's interfered in my life in a way I didn't like. And he is making up for lost time, more than I ever thought he could. Man, I sure wish he'd been around when I was a kid...he would have been a great dad, I bet. We could have gone hiking and fishing, and I'd be better at bowling than I am now. I wish he'd loved my mother. I wish he'd married her. She would have been so happy instead of dying sad and worried about me. I could never just leave a girl after... But he didn't have a choice, and he didn't feel the way about her that she felt about him. My mom was right, though, he is a good man. And he's right, going into that bar was a stupid idea. I didn't impress anybody, especially my dad. And he's the person I want to impress the most...well, besides Jennifer DeSoto. ******************* Kalie and Karen were relieved rather than angered by Johnny's intervention. They really didn't drink, and were uncomfortable in the bar. When J.R.'s dad showed up, they were afraid he would tell their father...he sure looked ready to let J.R. have it. But instead he just bought them sodas and didn't make a big scene. Dave Konnitsky apologized for the incident, and the Riley girls began to relax. Kalie and Karen latched onto their dates and gave them their best smiles. The guys really were cute and nothing bad happened after all. Kalie Riley watched with admiration as J.R. exhibited a flair on the alley that was a carbon copy of Johnny Gage's own style. She enjoyed the view and decided to provide one of her own when her turn came around. I just love bowling, Kalie thought, and J.R. has a great...approach. The two young men walked the twins to the door of their parents' house and were extremely glad for John Gage's earlier interference when Cap Riley came out to welcome his daughters home. He would have hit the roof if any of them smelled like beer. ******************* The evening ended much better than J.R. expected. Kalie was an attractive and enjoyable date. She wasn't Jennifer DeSoto, but she was nineteen and pretty, and she seemed to really like him for himself. Her sister Karen was more attracted to Dave, which worked out just fine. Humor restored, J.R. was able to admit that his dad could have made things unpleasant, but chose to handle the situation with discretion and tact. He had an apology to make. When J.R. arrived home, it was to find Johnny waiting for him on the back porch. He was relieved. It had become their unofficial meeting place to discuss the things that troubled them. Somehow, with the mountains in the distance and the stars overhead, problems blown out of proportion seemed to shrink to a normal perspective. If his father was on the porch, he was willing to talk---and resolve the problem. All the way home J.R. rehearsed how to apologize, coming up with a dozen or so different phrases calculated to sound "cool" and "repentant" at the same time. None of them worked---you can't be cool and repentant at the same time. In the end, he settled for the truth and was glad he did when he heard Johnny's reaction to his words. ******************* Johnny looked relaxed as J.R. approached. He was sprawled in one of the adirondack chairs with his feet propped up on the porch railing and a smile teased the corners of his mouth. Liz had shown her appreciation of the date in a way that left no doubt she wanted to continue the association. He almost regretted his decision to drop her off and come home, but he needed to work things out with J.R.. Yep, he still had the old 'Gage charm'. "Welcome home, son." Johnny noticed that J.R. was no longer angry as he exited Konnitsky's Camaro. "See ya tomorrow, Dave!" Johnny yelled. He would pull his young firefighter aside in the morning and explain, as a friend rather than a captain, that procuring alcohol for underage drinkers could have serious consequences. But tonight, he needed to settle things with his son and get their relationship back on a friendly footing. "Hi, Dad," J.R. greeted before assuming his usual spot on the steps of the porch. "How did your evening go?" "Oh pretty well, pretty well," Johnny answered, "up until a certain point." There was no doubt about the 'point' mentioned. "J.R., I know you resented my interference tonight, but I couldn't stand by and watch you get involved in an unwise, not to mention illegal, situation." "I know, Dad," J.R. said quietly. He looked up at his father's concerned face and met his eyes squarely on. "I was wrong, you were right and I'm sorry." Johnny was surprised and relieved. He was afraid that J.R.'s stubborn disposition, and his own he admitted, would cause a rift in their relationship over this. He had acted impulsively and treated his son like the child he no longer was. Bottom line, Johnny had no right to do what he did at that bar. The best he was hoping for was to be forgiven. "Son, it takes a real man to admit he's wrong and to do it in that way. It means a lot to me that you're not mad. I acted out of concern, but I was wrong too. I'm sorry I embarrassed you, J.R., I have no right to treat you like a child." "Dad, you saved me, and the others, from the possible consequences of our own stupidity. You have the right. I give it to you." The night turned out very well after all, Johnny reflected. It didn't end the way he planned, but he had his son's respect, and that was even better. ******************* "Good morning, Gentlemen," Cap Gage addressed 'Johnny's Crew' as they lined up for roll call. "I trust everybody had good days off? I know I did," Johnny snickered. There were chuckles and grins in response as each of the men imagined what probably occurred to make their captain's days off so good. It looked like Johnny Gage was back in action. "Good morning, Marco," Johnny addressed his engineer. "Ready to start the day?" At Marco's nod he continued down the line. "Taylor," Johnny looked at Taylor's bloodshot eyes, "had a good time yesterday, huh?" Firefighter Rudy Taylor nodded to Cap Gage and gave him a grin. "Watch that stuff, Rudy, it'll kill ya." "Konnitsky, see if you can find a razor after formation, okay?" At Konnitsky's nod, Johnny advanced to his paramedics. He would go over the events of last night at a later time, and in private. "Dwyer, kid's birthday go ok?" He remembered Charlie worrying over the details of a birthday party at Disneyland. "It cost an arm and a leg, Cap, but she had a good time," Dwyer replied with a sigh. "Glad to hear it. She's what now, six?" Dwyer nodded. Manley, you over the virus that was buggin' ya last shift?" Manley nodded in response. "Okay...Let's see...announcements, announcements, announcements...aha! The hydrants on Wendover Boulevard between LaMesa and Delacourt are being replaced today; you'll remember they replaced the ones between Chico and LaMesa last week. So, we can't have any fires on Wendover today unless they don't fall between LaMesa and Delacourt, or we take our own water." Johnny's Crew laughed. "No, but seriously, let's remember that we have to compensate in the unlikely event that occurs." "We have a 4th grade tour group coming through this afternoon, so everybody on your best behavior between 1:30 and 2:30, okay? Dwyer and Manley, if you aren't on a call at that time, you have the honors. If you are delayed on a call past 1:15, Marco and I will conduct the tour. But no cheatin' you guys." Good natured groans erupted from the paramedics. "There's gonna be an inspection next shift. Chief McConikee is gonna be here with us for lunch...Rudy, something special would be appreciated. And we'll be doin' knot tying drills while he's here, so gentlemen, please practice if you need to and don't make your captain look bad. I promise you will regret it if you do." More groans. "That's all the announcements...yes? Konnitsky?" "Cap, is McConikee gonna check haircuts?" Konnitsky asked. Snickers erupted as Johnny focused on his youngest firefighter. He could see elbows poking into ribs as everybody tried to keep a straight face. It was no secret to those who had been around a while that Gage always got gigged for his long hair when he was a paramedic. It was also no secret that he ignored McConikee's orders to get a haircut each and every time. "Uh, he isn't coming specifically for that purpose, Dave, but if there's a problem, I can guarantee he will notice." Dwyer was struggling to keep a straight face. "Do you have a problem, Charlie? No? I didn't think so." "Details! Dwyer and Manley...the dormitory; Konnitsky and Taylor...hangin' hose; Lopez...latrine, and I've got the kitchen today." Johnny looked up and grinned when he saw Marco heave a sigh of relief. Johnny was aware that Marco fully expected to get out of latrine detail as he usually did when his captain was slated to cook. He chuckled, not today, Marco. "That's it, Gentlemen, dismissed." As if on cue, the tones sounded calling Johnny's Crew to action. "STATION 51...MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT...INTERSECTION OF WINDSOR AND CRESCENT...WINDSOR AND CRESCENT...TIME OUT 08:15" "Station 51, KMG-365," Johnny replied, handing off the response sheet to Dwyer before running to the engine. Engineer Marco Lopez mouthed the words with his captain as Johnny recited his usual, "Let's roll, Marco." It was becoming a 'good luck' ritual for them both. The MVA involved a station wagon and a motorcycle. The biker, his leathers shredded, had a broken leg and a bad case of road rash, but was otherwise uninjured. He wisely laid his motorcycle down to avoid a direct impact with the station wagon, which was filled with noisy children and driven by a very distraught woman. The station wagon swerved to avoid the sliding cycle and hit a parked car. The owner of the parked car, an expensive foreign model, had returned to find his beautiful vehicle looking like a piece of modern art. The resulting altercation between the car owners was interrupted by the children who had left the car and were excitedly running around the accident scene. All of it would have been noisier than a busy carnival, if it could be heard over the blare of the station wagon's horn, which was stuck. Johnny estimated this was a three...no, four aspirin call. Dwyer was splinting the biker and trying to hear Rampart over the biophone while Manley attempted, with the help of a police officer, to round up the kids and check them over for injuries. "Taylor, disconnect the batteries and kill that horn!" Johnny yelled into his ear, "then help Manley round up those kids." "Konnitsky, once those kids are outta the way, hose down that gasoline with an inch-and-a-half." Johnny left the worst job for himself...trying to calm the irate pair arguing in the middle of the street. The police officer should be doing this, but he had his hands more than full. Johnny figured there were seven or eight kids running around. He might get an accurate count when they stopped moving. "Excuse me, ma'am," Johnny began. The woman paused for a moment, stared at Cap Gage, then continued her diatribe against people who parked their cars too far from the curb, motorcyclists who couldn't drive, and public servants in general. Johnny pinched the bridge of his nose, a sure sign he was frustrated. If they weren't in the middle of this fiasco, he thought, it would probably be funny. He tried again, "Sir, if you would please..." The man made an obscene gesture toward Johnny and accompanied it with an even ruder remark. "Ma'am, Sir, you're gonna have to move!" Johnny raised his voice, all out of patience, and tried to usher them out of the way of Konnitsky and the hose. The man, almost without pausing, hauled off and punched Johnny in the nose, knocking him to the ground, then continued the argument. Gage, muttering a rude comment of his own, decided enough was enough! Rising from the pavement, he noticed his crew were all watching to see what he would do next. The rowdy kids were entertained by the sight of the man decking the captain and stopped moving long enough to be restrained by the firemen and the police officer. Manley, Taylor and the officer, were sporting bruised shins and bites on the arms. They would have to be looked at when this three ring circus was over, the captain thought angrily. His beautiful day was on a downward swing. "Konnitsky, we can't leave that gas puddled under the car, hit it with the hose," Johnny said. "But Cap, what about the two people in front of the car?" "They'll move," Johnny said, holding a four-by-four bandage beneath his nose to stop the bleeding. Shouts of outrage accompanied the WHOOSH of water as the hose opened up on the car, washing the gasoline away from the accident scene. Gage's smile was hidden by his hand holding the bandage. He would hear about this and get a chewing out, he was sure, but at the moment seeing that man and woman get soaked by the hose did his heart good. The next time Johnny looked at the dripping pair of combatants, they were gesticulating wildly and pointing at him as they made their complaints to Officer Vince Howard, who had just arrived. Johnny grimaced as they headed his direction. "Hi, Johnny...er Captain Gage." Vince still wasn't used to seeing the "skunk stripe" on Gage's helmet. He missed the old paramedic sticker that once adorned the sides. "Hey, Vince. Is there a problem?" Johnny knew damn well there was a problem, and he knew that Vince knew it too. He gave him a friendly smile and waited for the bad news. "John, it seems this...er...lady and gentlemen feel that your men destroyed their clothing with unwarranted use of the firehose." Silent for once, the two complaintants nodded in vigorous agreement. Johnny smiled. "Is that right? Well, Vince, there was gasoline leaking under the lady's car and it needed to be washed safely away. I did try to politely ask them to move, but the 'lady' ignored me and then this 'gentleman' belted me in the nose. My men have been frantically trying to round up the children this 'lady' was allowing to run rampant in the street to move them out of harm's way. Those two firemen and your fellow officer now have to be treated for human bites." Vince tried not to smile. Johnny gave him the ammunition he needed to put the skids under this pair who were threatening to sue everybody from the mayor to each other. Nodding to Cap Gage, Officer Howard escorted the two over to his patrol car and explained how much trouble each of them might be in. He could be very persuasive. Cap Gage gave his men the word to pack it up and head back to the station, his humor restored. He was looking forward to another date with Liz tomorrow night. She was a very forgiving lady. ******************* Back at the station, Johnny walked into the kitchen to begin preparations for lunch. The system J.R. helped him establish to keep track of more than one cooking process at a time was wacky and ridiculous, but it appealed to his sense of humor and was set up in a way he could relate to. J.R. shook his head after a particularly disasterous effort on Johnny's part to fix a fairly simple meal. "Dad, you have to keep in mind all the parts of the meal, not just the one you're working on." They had a reciprocal agreement: J.R. would teach Johnny how to cook in return for the elder Gage teaching his son to drive. It seemed pretty clear that his son was the better pupil. "I think I may have a solution," the young firefighter grinned. "Actually it came from Del Nichols. I told him I couldn't understand how you could be such a good incident commander and such a bad cook. Both things require organization and attention to detail. He thought maybe if you handle cooking like you handle a fire scene, you could keep track of things better." Anything on the front burner was Station 51 hoses. What went in the oven were the paramedics from 15's and if it was being mixed up on the counter, it was Station 99. In addition, things that had to be simmered in a pot were Station 110...they were the ones most likely to have a water rescue. As crazy as it sounded, it worked beautifully. It was much easier to remember his paramedics were in a burning building than that the casserole was in the oven. It was a cinch to keep an eye on the hoses while another station was ventilating---or in this case chopping lettuce. He even renamed the timer "Marco" after his faithful engineer who always kept an eye out for things his captain needed to know. For once the rest of the morning was slow and the astonished men of "Johnny's Crew" sat down to a lunch of savory hot minestrone, fresh baked biscuits, a crisp salad and apple pie for dessert. They looked around for the elves that must have come in to help their captain fix lunch. Johnny smiled enigmatically. Some day they might find out about J.R.'s solution, but not if he could help it. "STATION 51...MAN TRAPPED...1501 BLEEKER...1-5-0-1 BLEEKER...TIME OUT 14:15" "Station 51, KMG-365," Johnny responded. The fourth grade tour ended early with the kids watching both the engine and the squad pull away from Station 51. Dwyer and Manley were glad for the response, these kids weren't the most well-behaved bunch they ever dealt with. The station was busy the rest of the day with various fires, gas leaks and numerous "unknown-type rescue's". During one of the few breaks they had to change and shower off the soot of several fires, Johnny took Dave Konnitsky aside and discussed the incident in the bar on the previous night. He found Dave repentant and relieved to get off with just a word of caution from his captain and friend. The telephone rang in Johnny's office as he was filling out the numerous incident reports from the day. It was one of the jobs that seemed to follow him from paramedic to captain, and one that was just as unpleasant now. "Station 51, Captain Gage speaking." Johnny distractedly shuffled scraps of paper from one pile to another. "Hey, Junior, did I catch you at a bad time?" "Yes, Captain DeSoto, you did. To make up for it, why don't you come over here and fill out the rest of these reports for me?" Johnny giggled, knowing that it was also Roy's least favorite part of the job." "Sorry, I think I'll find a fire to fight," Roy replied. "Actually, I'm calling about an invitation for tomorrow night. Jennifer has to cook a three-course meal for her family and at least one guest as a project for her Advanced Home Economics Class at school. She immediately thought of you and J.R. She needs to issue an invitation, prepare the meal, and receive a thank-you note from her guests." "Uh, Roy, I think I already have something on for tomorrow night. Can I make a phone call and get back to you? I'm not sure about J.R.'s plans, but he and Jen have become such good friends, he would probably cancel a date if he has one." Johnny thought back to Jen's project of three years ago...a patchwork pillow she made for his living room sofa. It was crookedly stitched and lumpy, made in garish colors of mis-matched fabrics and he wouldn't trade it for the world. The look of love in her eyes when she presented it to him meant more than the present itself and made it a cherished work of art in Johnny's eyes. Still, he hoped she was a better cook than she was a seamstress. "Well, Johnny, I just wanted to give you a heads-up that the invitation will be coming. Jen will probably call you tonight." Roy sighed. He hoped his daughter wasn't doomed to disappointment. It would be more special if her "guests" were the two Gages rather than one of her girlfriends. The tones sounded for 99's, ending the call. Johnny quickly phoned Liz at the hospital to confirm their date and then planned to call 15's and give J.R. a heads-up that Jen would be calling with the invitation...that way his son could break a date if necessary. He and Jennifer were as thick as thieves when she came to the ranch each week to go riding, and Johnny knew J.R. would be glad to help her out. Liz, it turned out, was stuck working an extra shift in men's surgical tomorrow night for someone who had a death in the family. She asked for a raincheck on their date, and Johnny was unsure whether to be sorry or relieved. Liz was still a three-star date, but he was glad not to disappoint Jen. When Cap Gage called back to Station 99 no one was there, likewise 15's. He figured he would just let Jennifer know when she called tonight to invite him. With a frown, Johnny decided to phone Chief McConikee and give his version of the morning's rescue involving the two uncooperative and combative civilians. It was totally possible, after talking with Vince Howard, that they would make no further complaints, but Johnny wasn't going to bet his badge on it. Admitting to a lost temper, Johnny described the incident and told the Chief that he'd already written up the details in an incident report, but not to be surprised if more came of it than this. Chief McConikee sighed. If the people made a big deal of it, there might be a reprimand involved, never a good thing, especially for a captain. But Gage was sorely provoked, and assaulted as well. Perhaps Officer Howard managed to ward off any complaints. "John, I appreciate that you called and took responsibility. I'm going to sit on this for now unless it becomes an issue. Hopefully it won't go any farther. But do me a favor, don't do anything like that again. Wait for police assistance if possible. I know they were putting themselves and others at risk, but hitting them with the hose wasn't the right choice either." Cap Gage remembered his son's apology from the night before. "Chief, you are right. I was wrong. I'm sorry, and it won't happen again, I swear." There was a pause at the other end. Every once in a while, Chief McConikee reflected, the Department promotes the wrong man. Fortunately this wasn't one of them. Gage has integrity, and that's important. I like a man who admits to his mistakes, and then resolves not to make them again. "John, take care. I appreciate your call and I appreciate that you told me on your own. I'll see you next shift for the inspection. By the way, what's for lunch?" With a chuckle, Johnny replied, "I told Taylor to make something special, so it's sure to be good, Chief. See you in a couple days." ******************* Jennifer crossed her fingers. She was going to invite Uncle Johnny and J.R. to come for dinner tomorrow night, and she wanted everything to be perfect. The menu was carefully planned down to the table settings in anticipation of a very grown-up meal. She hoped everybody would see her as an accomplished young lady, able to invite and ably entertain adult guests. If they treated her like a little girl hosting a tea party, she would just die! Nervously, she dialed Station 51. She'd never called Johnny at 51's after he became a captain, and rarely before, knowing one, that he would be teased for having such a young girl call him, and two, that social calls like that were frowned on. But this was special. "Los Angeles County Fire Department, Firefighter Lopez speaking." "Hi, Uncle Marco," Jennifer said, trying not to sound disappointed. "This is Jennifer DeSoto. Can I speak with Captain Gage, please." "Jennifer! how are you? Sure, Cap is outside at the moment, but wait a minute while I call him." Marco laid the phone down and went in search of Johnny. He wondered if something was wrong with Roy...Captain DeSoto. He sure hoped not. When Johnny heard who was calling, his reaction showed that he was expecting this call. Marco was curious, but no longer alarmed. Unused to hearing Johnny addressed as "Cap", Jennifer at first expected to hear Hank Stanley's voice. "Captain Gage, speaking. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call, Jennifer?" Johnny's tone was that of a gentleman speaking to a lady, not the "tea party" voice of an indulgent uncle. She was grateful and amused. "Hi, Uncle Johnny," she giggled. When she was little, she would have addressed him as Mr. Gage and invited him in the most dignified voice she could muster to a high tea. Now, she was just happy that he was taking her seriously, not playing a game. "I just called to invite you to dinner tomorrow night at my house. The meal will be served at six-thirty and dress is informal. That means not a suit, but not blue jeans, either." She whispered the last conspiratorily. "Why thank you, Jen," Johnny kept his tone light without laughing at her. "I'm pleased to say that I will be able to join you and look forward seeing you tomorrow night at about six-fifteen. And I promise not to wear blue jeans." Jennifer giggled and Johnny hoped he remembered the right protocol; he wanted to make sure things went just right for her. Smiling, he hung up the phone after Jennifer said goodbye. One down, Jennifer thought as she looked up the number to Station 15 on the LACoFD phone list in her dad's den. "L.A. County Fire Station 15, Firefighter Nichols speaking." Del Nichols answered this time instead of the voice she was hoping for. "Good evening, Mr. Nichols, this is Jennifer DeSoto. Is J.R. Gage available, and may I speak with him please?" Jennifer hoped she sounded suitably grown up enough not to get J.R. teased. "I'll call him for you, just a minute," was the response. In the background, she could hear J.R.'s reaction. "Jennifer? Did she say what she wants? Yeah, I'll take it in the dorm, just a sec." One phone hung up as another one was lifted. "Jennifer? Hi. What's up?" J.R. gulped nervously, hoping she hadn't heard about him dating Cap Riley's daughter. But then there was no way she could know that, was there? "Mr. Gage," Jennifer began nervously, "I would like to invite you to join my family for dinner tomorrow evening at six-thirty. Dress is informal. May we expect the pleasure of your company?" The assignment required her to issue the invitation in a prescribed manner; it sounded so silly. Since the station was deserted when Johnny called with his 'heads up', J.R. was at first unsure what to make of the invitation. "Uh...I...uh sure, that is I would love to come to dinner. Six-thirty, you say? No problem, I'll see you then. Goodbye." J.R. looked at the receiver as if it would give him some clue to the situation, then shrugged and hung up, his face assuming a lopsided grin that didn't go unnoticed. ******************* The next evening Johnny and J.R. drove up to the DeSoto's house promptly at six-fifteen dressed in casual slacks and polo knit shirts. Johnny had filled his son in on Jennifer's assignment that morning and smiled at J.R.'s confusion over the invitation. Jennifer was thrilled at having the two handsome dinner guests. She always thought Uncle Johnny to be good looking, but he'd always been just Uncle Johnny. It wasn't until she saw him 'dressed up' beside J.R. that she realized that he was a very attractive man---almost as attractive as his son. She was glad that she was looking her best when she greeted them at the door. Johnny was half expecting his usual greeting, where Jennifer would run down the driveway and throw herself at 'Uncle Johnny' for an affectionate hug and an avuncular kiss on the forehead. This evening, however, she answered the door gracefully and invited the two men in. Johnny was a little disappointed. Somehow, when he wasn't looking, little Jennifer DeSoto had grown up. J.R. watched Jennifer's appreciation of his father's appearance with mixed feelings. He knew they had a special bond of affection, but Jennifer wasn't looking at him like a niece now. A tinge of jealousy crept in to darken his anticipation of the evening. J.R. had been to DeSoto's house numerous times for dinner, but always when Joanne was hostess. He never spoke much, ate very little and tried to remain in the background. Hopefully Jen's parents would think him polite, if they thought about him at all. He was mainly content to sit quietly in Johnny's shadow, which, by coincidence, was almost always near Jennifer. As he savored the taste of Jennifer's Goulash, J.R. thought he detected a familiar flavor. OH NO! She put bay leaves in it! It had been so long since he ate anything with bay leaves, maybe this time nothing would happen. Maybe he had outgrown the allergy. He fervently hoped so. Over dinner, Roy and Joanne sat back and watched their little girl become the perfect hostess. You would never have guessed from her behavior that she was a nervous wreck all day, worrying in turn over the contents of dinner, the table settings and her own appearance. Roy was glad that Johnny and J.R. both accepted the invitation; Jennifer was in seventh heaven. He hated to see his little girl grow up, but appreciated her accomplishments. The food tasted and smelled delicious and the meal promised to be a success. He would hint to Johnny before they left not to forget the thank-you notes Jen was supposed to receive. Everyone finished eating, having duly complemented the chef on a fine meal, and adjourned to their favorite part of the house...the back deck. J.R. starting to feel flushed, looked for a dark corner to park in and hope the allergic reaction would be a mild one. It was already apparent that there was going to be one. "So, Johnny, what do you have scheduled for tomorrow?" Roy opened the conversation. "Do you need help with something, Pally," Johnny teased. That was usually the way Roy chose to introduce an invitation to a home-improvement party. "No," Roy was quick to assure him. "I was just making small talk. Jo and I are going shopping for some new bedroom curtains." Roy was less than enthusiastic, and it was obvious he was hoping Johnny would have something planned that HE needed help with. With a chuckle, Johnny was sorry to disappoint his old friend. "Actually I was just gonna suggest to J.R. that we go to the beach. He kind of liked it last time we went and the child is looking much too pale." A paperwad soared over to land in Johnny's lap after bouncing off his nose. "I was going to say that was a good idea, but now I'm not so sure. What girl would look at me if I take my daddy with me to the beach?" J.R. teased. He was struggling to sound normal as his throat began to close up. She must have put a ton of that stuff in the Goulash. "That's true" Johnny retorted, shaking his head sadly. "Who would look at you with your devastatingly handsome father around? But then, what good-looking woman would give me the time of day with my 'little boy' along? I might find one that likes children." Jennifer, laughed at first, but then sobered. She didn't want other girls looking at J.R. Suddenly she had the urge to make a couple of phone calls. The beach definitely sounded like the place to be tomorrow. Joanne had joined the men out on the back deck and brought up the memory of a rescue back when Roy and John were paramedics that put both of them in the hospital. Joanne brought them home to the DeSoto house and was assisted by Jennifer in taking care of them. Everyone laughed as Johnny remembered how Jennifer insisted on applying cold compresses to bring down a make-believe fever and managed to soak him thoroughly in the process. She was a diligent and enthusiastic if untrained caregiver, sitting with her Uncle Johnny while he recovered, running to bring him a drink of water, a book to read, or an extra pillow. J.R., sitting in the shadows, stared at Jennifer's animated laughing face and tried not to scratch. His eyes watered and he could visualize the red welts that were even now forming on his back and chest. He thought he remembered seeing Benedryl in the medicine chest at home. If he could just control his breathing. I can make it. I can tough this out until we go home. I will not scratch. I will not scratch. I won't ruin Jennifer's perfect dinner. Oh damn, damn, damn...it itches! Oh man, I can't stand it. Tears running down his now blotchy face, J.R. stayed in the shadows as he slipped off the side of the deck under the rail while everybody was laughing at yet another story about Johnny's misadventures. Swiftly he ran to the Rover and got in, curling up in the back in a miserable ball and scratching for all he was worth. If Dad doesn't come out here pretty soon, he thought, I'm going to go out of my mind. J.R. wasn't talking at all tonight, Johnny realized. The boy was starting to open up and act naturally just a while ago and now, Johnny blinked...now he's disappeared. What on earth? Maybe he had to go to the bathroom or something. "Hey, did anybody see J.R. leave?" Johnny asked in confusion. "No, he was sitting over there in the corner just a minute ago," Roy responded. "I wonder where he could have gotten off to? He doesn't usually just disappear...honest." Johnny walked out into the back yard more than a little annoyed as he sought out his errant son. The DeSotos looked at each other in puzzlement as the senior Gage walked around to the front of the house and then were startled to hear Johnny call out. "What the hell? Roy! Call the paramedics!" All three jumped up, looking at each other in consternation. Joanne volunteered to call Station 99 while Jennifer and Roy ran toward the sound of Johnny's voice. Johnny opened the back door of the Rover and knelt beside his son, checking his vital signs. J.R., tears seeping from eyes which were swollen to mere slits, was gasping for breath sweating and trembling, curled tightly in a fetal position. "J.R., can you hear me?" Johnny asked. Unable to open his eyes, J.R. managed to nod. "Do you know what caused this?" Another miserable nod accompanied by more tears. "Bay...leaves," J.R. managed to whisper. "A-al-ler-gic." "What did he say?" Roy asked, concerned and mystified. "He's having an allergic reaction. Jennifer, were there bay leaves in anything you cooked?" Jennifer, nodded wide-eyed. Oh, jiminy, she'd poisoned J.R.! "The paramedics are on their way," Joanne reported. "What's wrong?" "I poisoned him! Oh, Mom, I've killed J.R." Her chin quivering, Jennifer threw herself into Joanne's arms and sobbed hysterically. "What?" Joanne looked helplessly at Roy. "He's allergic to something she cooked," Roy explained. He knew it was going to be unpleasant, but J.R. would get a shot of epinephrine and should be all right...if he got it in time. continue