Untitled by Mary Ann                                                                          "I gotta get to her room, she needs help."  Seventeen year old Kaycee Blake thought to herself as she crawled along the hall floor.  Black choking smoke swirled over her head, the crackle of flames could be heard coming from the floor below.   She pulled open the bedroom door.  "Grandma?"  She called out as she gagged on the smoke.  She crawled inside the room when the smoke finally overcame her.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Gage, DeSoto.  There's a report of two victims inside, mask up and go do a quick search."  Captain Hammer ordered. "We're on it."  Roy DeSoto, the older of the two newly authorized paramedics called back.  He and his partner Johnny Gage, strapped on their airtanks, fitted the facemasks on and adjusted their helmets and headed into the house fire. "Roy."  Johnny called loudly around his facemask.  Roy turned around and Johnny pointed upstairs. Roy nodded his agreement.  A house fire in the dead of night, if there were victims inside, they were probably on the second floor in the bedrooms.  The two made their way upstairs testing the strength of the stairs on the way up.  Thicker smoke greeted them at the top of the stairs.  They searched two rooms without success.  Finally heading into the last room on the left.  Johnny tripped and fell over something.  Picking himself up he realized it was a teenage girl.  "Johnny?"  Roy called from farther in the room. "I'm okay, I got one."  Johnny called back. "There's one more on the bed."  Roy shouted.  "Can you get 'em alone?"  Johnny asked. "Yeah, you?" "I got it."  Johnny answered as he hoisted the girl on his shoulder in a fireman's carry. "Okay, I'm right behind you."  Roy said as he approached the door his victim slung over his shoulder.  The two carefully made their way back downstairs, and out of the house.  They lowered their victims to the grass next to the squad. Johnny quickly pulled his facemask off and put it over the girl's face while he checked her pulse.  "I think she just got a little too much smoke."  He told Roy.  "How's yours?" "Not too good, we need to call Rampart now."  Roy answered as he assessed his victim. "Cap!"  Johnny called. "What do you need?"  Captain Dick Hammer asked as he jogged up to the squad. "Can you get our equipment out.  I think Roy gonna need the O2 now.  Then can you set up a transmission to Rampart?" Dick nodded as he pulled out the necessary equipment.  Roy hooked up the oxygen for the elderly woman and pulled the BP cuff and the stethoscope out of the drug box.  Johnny had just finished relaying vitals on his victim when she started coming around and became agitated.  "Whoa, there, calm down."  He said in his most soothing voice.  He held her arms down from ripping off the face mask.  "Just take it easy, you're gonna be okay." Kaycee managed one arm free as she struggled with the firefighter.  She tore the facemask away.  "Grandma!"  She screamed. Johnny grabbed the facemask back from her.  "Okay, settle down, we got her, she's safe.  My partner's working on her right now.  How are you feeling?"  He asked. "I feel like I just inhaled hot tar, but other than that, I think I'm okay."   She choked out between fits of coughing. "Here let me sit you up a bit, tell me if that's better."  Johnny pulled her head up against his knee.  "How's that?" "Better."  Kaycee answered. "Feel up to answering some questions for me?"  Johnny asked. "Okay."  She nodded.  "How's grandma?" "Roy's taking good care of her.  He's on the phone with the doctor right now.  How old is your grandma?" "68."  Kaycee supplied. "She have any medical conditions?"  Johnny inquired writing down Kaycee's answers. "She just got home from the hospital three days ago.  She had pneumonia."  She answered. Johnny looked alarmed at her answer.  "Which hospital?   What's her name?" "Samara Blake.  She was at Rampart General." "Cap hand me the biophone."  Dick handed Johnny the handset.  "Rampart, additional information on victim number two.  Granddaughter reports that she was just discharged from there three days ago after bout of pneumonia.  Victim two's name is Samara Blake." "Stand by 51, we'll pull her chart."  Dr. Brackett replied. "Pneumonia?  No wonder her chest sounds so congested."  Roy commented as he completed the IV that Dr. Brackett had ordered. "Is that bad?"  Kaycee asked worriedly. "It just means she's going to have to go back to the hospital for a while."  Johnny reassured her flashing her a brilliant smile.  "So what's your name?  I'm Johnny, that's Roy and our Captain."  Johnny pointed everybody out as he introduced them. "Kaycee Blake." "Well it's nice to meet you Kaycee.  How old are you?"  He asked still smiling at her. "Seventeen."  Kaycee answered dazzled by the handsome paramedic. "Seventeen, so are you a junior or senior in high school?"  He asked hoping to distract her from the urgent messages being sent back and forth from the hospital as Roy worked feverishly to stabilize her grandmother. "Senior.  I go to John F. Kennedy High School."  Kaycee answered. "I bet a pretty girl like you must be a cheerleader." "Me?  You gotta be kidding, I'm no snob."  Kaycee grinned at him. "Okay, you got me there.  So what do you do?"  He chuckled. "I'm on the track team."  She answered. "No kidding, I ran track in high school." "Really?"  Kaycee asked. "Yup.  I used to run the 440 and the mile."  Johnny answered enthusiastically. "Really, I run the mile too." "What was your best time?"  He asked interested. "Johnny, I hate to break up your party, but we're ready to transport."  Roy said as he helped load Samara Blake on the stretcher. "Okay, ah, Kaycee, you're gonna have to ride in with Roy and your grandmother, they're gonna want to check you out at the hospital."  Johnny helped Kaycee up and walked her to the ambulance.  He handed her up to sit next to Roy.  "Take good care of my friend here Pally." "You know I will Junior.  See you at Rampart."  Roy grinned.  The ambulance pulled away and Johnny packed up his equipment and jumped in the squad on his way to Rampart to meet Roy.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Over the years, and hundreds of rescues later, Johnny and Roy forgot about the Blakes.  "Morning everybody."  Johnny greeted as he headed to the coffeepot for his morning fuel. Chet crumpled the morning paper down and looked at his watch.  "Gage, early?  What gives?" "Shut up Chet."  Johnny glared at him.  "I'm not always late." "No, but you usually squeak in just before roll call."  Roy teased. "Well, I got a new system."  Johnny commented grabbing a couple of cookies and taking a bite.  "See, I figured if I set my clock ahead a half hour, when I wake up and see how late I think it is, I'll jump out of bed racing as usual to get ready, but then I'll be early because it's not really late, but right on time." "Only that would make sense to you, Gage."  Chet snorted. "Well at least he's on time ya twit."  Hank said popping his head in the kitchen.  "Roll call's in five minutes." "So, Johnny how'd you come across this little system of yours?"   Marco asked. "It was kind of by accident.  I got one of those new digital clocks.  Well, the power blinked out last night and I had to reset the clock.  I thought I set it right, but I didn't realize until I put my watch on this morning that I had set it thirty minutes fast."  Johnny admitted.  "But at least, I got in early this morning." "Um, Johnny, what happens now that you know your alarm clock is thirty minutes fast and you start subtracting time.  Won't you be right back where you started?"  Roy asked. "Oh, man, I didn't think of that.  I guess it's not such a good system."  He frowned, stopping chewing for a minute.  "I guess I'll have to think of something else." "I'm sure you will, come on, let's get roll call over with."  Roy patted Johnny on the shoulder as he walked past him. The men of A-Shift gathered around their captain in the equipment bay.  Captain Stanley pulled his clipboard out from under his arm.  "Okay everybody.  We have a new subdivision going up.  Roy and Johnny, I have a list of new hydrants I want you to check out when you have some time today.  The engine's out of service for an hour and a half this afternoon.  Mike, you need to take it to the central garage for an oil change today.  The appointment's at 3:00 so I'll take us out of service at 2:30.  I got the formal announcement from headquarters today.  The Los Angeles County Fire Department is officially co-ed.  All department personnel are required to wear T-shirts and shorts for sleepwear.  Locker room decorum is now to knock and wait to make sure occupants are of the same gender before entering.  So far, the department has hired four women from other departments that have already been trained.  Six more are coming though our academy now.  So the announcement's being made to all stations to prepare for them.  Sometime today or tomorrow, they'll be delivering regulation sleepwear, and you'll be expected to keep them clean and ready to wear same as your uniforms.  Okay, that's done, let's get to duties.  Kelly and Lopez, hoses.  When the engine's out of service would be a good time to test all the lines.  Stoker, take dorms.  DeSoto, you've got kitchen duty, and Gage, Latrine.  That's it, get to work."  Hank dismissed his crew and headed straight for the coffeepot before tackling the mountain of paperwork awaiting him in his office. Johnny and Roy stepped over to the squad to inventory their supplies.  "I can't believe they actually decided to allow women firefighter."  Johnny shook his head. "Times are changing Johnny.  I'm sure they'll do fine.  They'd have never made it through the academy training if they didn't know their stuff."  Roy tried to reason Johnny out of the all day rant, he could see coming. "Maybe, I guess.  I'll just have to see it to believe it."  Johnny relented. "I'm sure they're gonna run into that attitude everywhere they go."  Roy commented.  "Look, all I'm saying is just give them a chance.  I'm sure they'll prove themselves just like any other fireman new to the department." "Firefighter."  Johnny corrected. "Yeah, I guess I better start working on my own prejudices."  Roy grinned. "Looks like we're gonna have to make a run for supplies.  Let's let Cap know.  We can get the list of new hydrants and check them out on the way back." "Good idea.  We can stop to the store too, so I can pick up some things for dinner tonight."  Roy agreed. Johnny crossed over to Hank's office.  "Cap, we need to run to Rampart.  We figured we might as well check out those hydrants on the way back." "Okay, here's the list."  Hank pulled a piece of paper off the clipboard and handed it to him. "Thanks, we'll be back by lunch." "You'd better, Roy's cooking."  Hank grinned. "Right Cap, see you later."  Johnny waved heading to the squad.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Women settled into the Los Angeles County Fire Department with few ripples.  As the women picked up overtime and replacement shifts for injured firemen, the men of the department gradually admitted that the women were well qualified and competent.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The men of 51's A-shift had settled in for the night.  The dorm was dark and relatively quiet, except for the soft snoring coming from the vicinity of Chet Kelly's bunk.  The alarm blared and the lights blinked on flooding the dorm with harsh bright light.  "Station 51, Engine 127, Engine 36, Battalion 14.  Structure fire at the industrial complex, building C.  2 4 6 Belmont, 2 4 6 Belmont, cross street Midfield.  Time out 02:16."  The men threw their covers off, slid into their turnout boots and pants, pulling up their suspenders as they stumbled out of the dorm into the equipment bay.  Sleepiness was replaced by a surge of adrenaline at the prospect of fighting a large fire. Mike braked the rig to a stop as Hank overheard on the radio Chief McKonikee calling in another alarm on the fire.  He swung down from the engine, and approached McKonikee.  "What we got Chief?" "We've been told, nobody's inside.  Building manifest shows lots of toxic chemicals.  If we don't get this fire contained soon, we could have some serious problems.  Let's have your crew attack it from the north.  Masks and tanks on."  Chief McKonikee worriedly explained to him. "Okay, you got it."  Hank headed back to his crew.  "Lopez, Kelly, you take an inch and a half.  DeSoto, Gage, grab another one down.  Keep the HT handy; we'll recall you if we need you.  Everybody needs tanks and masks on.  We've got toxic gases coming off this thing." The men rushed off to their assignments.  Chet and Marco hauled their line into the building and began their attack to the left.  Johnny and Roy followed with their own line, attacking to the right.  They continued their battle with the flames, until suddenly, Marco heard his 5-minute warning bell sound on his tank.  "What the . . . ?"  He muttered glancing at his watch.  "We've only been in here 5 minutes."  He tapped Chet on the shoulder and called around his facemask.  "Chet, I gotta get more air.  Bad tank."  He pointed to his facemask as Chet nodded and waved him off. Marco hurried out of the building.  "Lopez, what's wrong?"  Hank asked surprised to see one of his men so soon. "Bad tank.  Alarm went off already, I gotta change it."  Marco explained hustling to the squad where the extra tanks were stored. "Alright, I'll head in and back up Kelly until you get back."  Hank fitted his mask on and stepped to the door, as he stepped over the threshold, a violent explosion shook the ground, losing his balance he staggered and fell to the ground. Mike raced over and helped his captain up.  "You okay?" Hank pulled his facemask down, and shook his head clearing his mind.  "I'm fine, just knocked the wind out of me.  What the hell happened?" "Engine 51, this is Squad 51."  Johnny's voice came over the HT in Hank's pocket. He pulled it out.  "You guys alright?"  "We're okay, Chet's down.  Get a backboard in here now.  Roy's holding back flames from Chet and me.  We don't want to risk moving him without one." "We're on it, hang tight."  Hank answered running to the squad.  "Marco, backboard now."  He grabbed the squad's radio mike.  "LA, Engine 51.  We have a code I, respond an ambulance to our location."  Not waiting for dispatch to confirm his request, he threw the mike back into the squad and sped to the back of it.  "You get that tank changed?"  He asked Marco. "Yeah, just finished."  Marco replied pulling the backboard out. Hank and Marco carried the backboard to the door.  Before putting his mask on, Hank finished giving his orders.  "As soon as we get in there, you take over for Roy on his line.  I'll grab Chet's line.  Let's lay down as much coverage as we can.  When they pull Chet out, we'll back out to the door and wait for the chief to send us more help before we go any further inside.  Got it?" Marco nodded and they headed in.  Marco rushed to Roy and took the line from him.  Hank dropped the backboard near Johnny and picked up the injured fireman's line. Johnny cut off the straps holding Chet's airtank on.  Roy and Johnny carefully log rolled him on the backboard and secured him.  Roy picked up the end by Chet's feet and Johnny took the other end.  In order to keep Chet from breathing the toxic fumes in the building, they left his facemask on and Johnny held the straps to Chet's airtank in one hand.  "Slowly."  He cautioned Roy.  Roy nodded his acknowledgement and they carefully picked their way over the uneven floor to the door.  Both trying hard to keep from jostling Chet too much, both understanding the seriousness of Chet's injury.  As soon as they had him a safe distance from the fire, they carefully set him down.  Johnny ran for their supplies as Roy wiggled out from under his airtank.  Johnny set down the trauma and drug boxes near Roy and set up the biophone.  Roy began immobilizing Chet's head and back.  "Rampart base this is Squad 51." "Go ahead 51."  Joe Early answered. "Rampart, we have a male firefighter injured in an explosion.  Victim was thrown 20 to 30 feet back, landing on the airtank strapped to his back.  We have fully immobilized head and back.  Vitals are BP 100/60, pulse is 100 and respirations 12." "Johnny, I've got no reflex responses in the extremities."  Roy said in a shaky voice. "Damn."  Johnny thought.  He took a deep breath and relayed the information.  "Rampart victim has no reflex responses in the extremities." "10-4 51, start IV D5W TKO, continue immobilization, and transport immediately." "10-4 Rampart IV D5W TKO coming up."  Johnny dropped the handset back in the box, and grabbed the IV set up to start it on Chet.  "Come on Chet, hang in there."  He said knowing the unconscious fireman couldn't hear him.  "I didn't want to win the prank war we had going this way." Hank rushed over, having finally made it back to the doorway with Marco.  "How is he?"  He asked anxiously. Johnny looked at Roy, unable to talk.  Roy looked up at Hank.  "Cap, it's bad.  We won't know for sure until we get to the hospital, but I don't think he's got any feeling in his arms and legs now." "What?!"  Hank exclaimed shocked, none of his men had ever been injured this severely before. "It could be temporary.  Let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Let's get him to the hospital and take it from there."  Roy said trying to sound more positive than he felt. "Yeah, you're right.  I better go let the chief know what's going on.  You guys take off."  Hank said still stunned.  He headed off to talk to McKonikee.  Roy and Johnny loaded Chet on the stretcher. "You hit any rough pavement, you'd better slow down."  Roy warned the ambulance driver.  "I mean it!"                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three hours later, Charlie Dwyer and the rest of A-Shift's Engine crew walked in the lounge where Johnny and Roy were sitting.  "Don't you know how to return the squad?"  Charlie grinned holding out his hand for the keys.  Johnny fished them out of his pocket and handed them to Charlie.  "Catch you guys later, hope Chet's gonna be okay."  Charlie waved leaving the lounge. Roy looked at his watch, surprised.  "It's only 6 am, what are you doing here?" "After the fire was knocked down, with only overhaul left to do, McKonikee stood us down and called B-Shift in early."  Hank explained.  "Any word?" "Yeah, they're putting him in in-line traction right now, and he's gonna be in a full body cast, neck to knees.  He's got some fractured vertebra.  They won't know if the paralysis is due to the spinal cord swelling or spinal cord damage for at least a few days.  He's awake, but not in any pain."  Roy reported. "Man, I shouldn't have left him in there alone."  Marco said miserably. "Come on Marco, that wouldn't change anything, except, you might be lying in there, just as injured or worse."  Hank patted his firefighter on the shoulder. "Yeah, don't blame yourself Marco, it wasn't your fault that airtank malfunctioned."  Mike added. "Cap's right, we saw it happen,  if you 'd have been in there with him, you would be injured too.  We just saw him a few minutes ago.  He was glad nobody else was hurt." Joe and Dixie entered the room.  "We're almost done.  We'll be moving him up to a room as soon as the cast hardens."  Joe told them. "Any change?"  Hank asked hopefully. "It's too soon to tell, if it's just spinal cord swelling, he'll start getting feeling back in the next couple of days.  Even if that happens, he's got a long recovery ahead of him.  He'll have to remain in the cast and in traction for at least four weeks, then we can remove the traction, the cast will have to stay  on at least another month after that.  Once the back injury heals, we'll remove the cast and then the hard part starts.  He'll need intensive physical therapy.  His muscles will atrophy some from remaining still for so long.  Realistically, he's looking at anywhere from six months to a year before he'd be anywhere near fit to return to duty.  The alternative is spinal cord damage, in which case the lack of feeling could be permanent." Stunned silence met Joe's announcement.  Finally Hank spoke up.  "Can we see him?" "As soon as he's moved, I'll arrange it.  He may be pretty groggy.  We've given him something to help him sleep .  As you can imagine, he's pretty anxious and worried over everything that's happened."                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two days later, before A-Shift's next shift.  Roy was sitting on the bench in the locker room, putting on his socks and shoes.  There was a knock at the door.  "Come in."  He called.  A trim brunette woman entered, a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder.  "Hi, you must be Chet's replacement." "Yeah, Kaycee Blake."  She introduced, dropping the bag on the bench.  "Know where I can find an empty locker?" "Roy DeSoto.  I think there's one over here."  He answered pulling a door open to an empty locker. "Thanks."  Kaycee smiled gratefully at him. "You're welcome.  Look, I'm done in here.  I'll let you have some privacy.  When you're done, meet me in the kitchen, and I'll buy you a cup of coffee." "Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."  Kaycee agreed. Roy left the locker room and crossed the bay to the kitchen.   "Morning everybody.  Chet's replacement's here."  He announced pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Who is it?"  Marco asked. "Kaycee Blake."  Roy answered sipping his coffee. "Never heard of him."  Johnny stated around a mouthful of donut. "Her."  Roy corrected. "Her?  Kaycee's a she?"  Johnny asked stopping in mid-bite to stare at Roy. "Well you knew we'd be working with one of them sooner or later.  Why so surprised?"  Roy asked his partner.  "Yeah, but, this is a long term assignment, maybe, um, maybe permanent."  Johnny tried to explain himself. "So what, I'm sure she knows what she's doing."  Roy shrugged. "That's right, I'm not a boot, for Christ's sake.  I know what I'm doing."  Kaycee joined in, standing in the door, looking at the firemen in front of her. "Kaycee, what do you take in your coffee?"  Roy asked smoothly, grabbing a clean cup. "Black's fine."  She answered eyeing the room.  "Who's the dog?"  She asked crossing the room to sit by Henry on the couch. Johnny decided to play a little joke on her to cover his embarrassment at being caught with his foot in his mouth.  He took the cup from Roy and walked over to the first female firefighter station 51 had ever seen.  "That's our station dog.  His name's Hank." "Johnny. . . "Roy started to say, knowing how their captain felt about sharing the name Henry with the dog.  Johnny waved him off.  Roy leaned back against the counter, shaking his head, waiting for the fireworks to start, knowing that Johnny was about to take on Chet's never ending latrine duty on a more permanent basis. Hank entered the kitchen for a refill of coffee.  "Kaycee you're here.  Have you met everybody yet?"  He asked rubbing his hands together enthusiastically. "Almost, Johnny was just introducing me to Hank here."  She patted the dog on the head. "Hank?"  Captain Stanley asked shooting Johnny a look that burned through him.  "Kaycee the dog's name is Henry.  It's my first name too, but I go by Hank.  I've told my men I don't mind sharing my name with the dog, as long as they don't call him Hank."  He pointed an accusing finger at Johnny.  "Your poor excuse of a joke just cost you three weeks latrine duty." "But Cap. . ."  Johnny started to protest. "Shut up you twit.  Another word out of you and it'll be three months worth.  Roll call in 5 minutes."  He turned on his heel and strode out of the kitchen. "Way to go Gage, now he'll be in a bad mood all morning."  Marco hissed under his breath. "I tried to warn you Junior."  Roy shook his head. "Junior. . . Johnny, Roy. . .Hey, I know you guys."  Kaycee smiled excitedly. "You do?"  Roy asked. "Yeah, do you remember a house fire about six years ago.  My grandma and I were in it.  Johnny, you told me you ran track."  Kaycee asked. "Oh yeah, that was right after the paramedic program was sanctioned." Johnny nodded.  "You two were one of our first rescues." "How'd your grandmother make out?"  Roy asked. "She recovered from the pneumonia that she got again.  She passed away a year and a half ago, right after I graduated from Tuscon's fire academy." "I'm sorry to hear that."  Roy said sincerely. "At least she was able to see me graduate.  That fire you two pulled us out of was the second house fire we'd been through.  The first one killed my parents.  I've always been so grateful to you two for giving me almost 5 more years with my grandma."  Kaycee explained quietly. "Jeez, Kaycee, if I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have tried that stupid stunt."  Johnny apologized. "Don't worry about it, Johnny, I've had worse.  Just watch your back.  One good trick deserves another."  She grinned mysteriously. "Uh-oh Johnny, looks like you're about to become someone else's pigeon for a while."  Mike laughed. "Am I going to have to mark everyone late today?!"  They heard Hank bellow from the equipment bay. "Thanks a lot Gage."  Marco muttered sarcastically as the firefighters all bolted for the door at the same time, causing a temporary log jamb.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well, guys, why don't we call it a night?  I just heard the squad's returning to quarters, so by the time we get settled in, they should be back."  Hank announced  standing up off the couch and stretching. "Good idea Cap.  You guys go ahead and use the locker room first.  I have some unfinished business to take care of.  Anyone wanna show me which ones Gage's bunk?" "One of you two do it.  I'd do it, but you know I'm supposed to stay neutral."  Hank grinned. "Come on Kaycee, I'll show you."  Marco volunteered. "Thanks."  Kaycee smiled following him to the dorm.  While the guys changed, Kaycee made quick work of shortsheeting the bunk for Johnny.  She was smoothing the covers back in place when the other firefighters filtered out of the locker room to their bunks, setting up their turnout gear. "Nothing that'll hurt, right?"  Hank asked Kaycee. "Nothing but his pride."  She answered, entering the locker room. "I like her."  Hank told the other two firemen, chuckling to himself. The firefighters had just settled into their bunks, when they heard the squad back into the bay, the engine shut off and then two doors open and close.  Hank called out to them.  "Gage, DeSoto?" "Yeah Cap?"  Roy asked as they entered the dorm. "You check on Chet?"  He sat up in bed, the other firefighters sat up also. "Yeah, no change."  Roy sighed. "Damn it."  Hank swore. Roy and Johnny changed clothes and made their way to their bunks.  Johnny climbed in trying to pull the covers up.  As he struggled, he heard the rest of the dorm snickering.  "Blake!"  He called. The dorm erupted in laughter.  "Hey, paybacks are a bitch, and that's me."  She answered.  "Sweet dreams Gage." "Nitey night Johnny."  Marco added. "All right, settle down, let's get some sleep."  Hank ordered. "Night Cap."  Kaycee called. "Good night Blake, and that goes for everybody else."  Hank added.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The night stayed quiet until 3 am when the phone rang.  Hank fumbled for it sleepily.  "LA County Fire Department, Captain Stanley." "Cap!"  Chet shouted in the phone. Hank sat straight up in bed.  "What is it?"  He asked instantly awake. "Cap, my foot itches!" "Are you sure?"  Hank asked excitedly, rousing the other sleeping firemen. "What is it Cap?"  Johnny mumbled sleepily. "Chet's foot itches."  Hank called across the dorm. Johnny yawned tiredly.  "Well, tell him to scratch it."  A pillow hit him in the face.  "Roy what'd you do that for?" He groused sitting up in bed. "Didn't you hear what Cap said?"  Roy asked chuckling. "Yeah, I heard.  Chet's foot itches, big deal."  Johnny said angrily.  "Wait a minute, Chet's foot itches?" The importance of the event finally was sinking in.  "His foot itches."  He grinned broadly. "Hey Cap, tell him we'll visit him in the morning."  Mike smiled. "Yeah okay, Chet, we'll see you in the morning.  We're all really happy for you."  Hank said into the phone.  "Alright, good night Chet."   He hung up the phone.  "Anybody interested in car-pooling to the hospital in the morning?" "Yeah sure."  Marco agreed. "Count me in."  Mike said. "Roy, Johnny?"  Hank asked. "I guess I'm in.  I'll have to call Joanne in the morning, let her know I'll be late."  Roy answered. "I'll drive myself, I was planning to take off camping in the morning, so I'll leave straight from the hospital."  Johnny explained yawning. "Okay.  Let's all try to get back to sleep."  Hank requested.  The men settled down in their bunks, each feeling as if a great weight had lifted from their shoulders, knowing that their shiftmate was on his way to recovery.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kaycee woke up and looked at her watch 5:20 am.  She yawned and stretched.  Knowing she would probably not be able to get back to sleep, she headed to the locker room quietly, and changed into her uniform for the day.  She made her way to the kitchen, starting a pot of coffee.  She sat down at the table, with her first cup, pulling her feet up on the chair in front of her. Johnny shuffled into the kitchen, in his turnout pants and T-shirt.  "Coffee?"  He muttered. "On the stove."  Kaycee answered, and looked at her watch.  "You're up early.  Wake up call isn't for another twenty minutes." Johnny sipped his coffee before carrying it to the table.  He sat down in one chair and kicked another chair away from the table, putting his feet up.  "Yeah, I always get this way right before I go camping." "I was meaning to ask you yesterday, you still like running?"  Kaycee asked. "Only when chased."  He teased.  "But I do still like to run." "Do you think you'd like a race that takes you out into nature?"  She asked. "I don't know, what kind of race are you talking about?" "It's a true cross country race, usually the course is laid out in a rugged area.  You get a map and compass at the start of the race, and a punch card.  You have to run between checkpoints and punch your card at each one.  It's a staggered start, so they time you from leaving the start gate, until you cross the finish line.  Whoever has the lowest time, wins."  "Sounds interesting."  Johnny admitted. "There's a race next Saturday.  It's mixed pairs.  My normal partner has to work, wanna go?" "Wouldn't you rather wait and ask me after seeing if these old legs of mine still got any speed left in them?"  Johnny joked grinning. "You can't be that old, I bet you're not even 30 yet."  Kaycee guessed. "You're right, I'm 28."  Johnny answered.  "Now it's my turn to guess.  You were 17 six years ago, so you're 23 now." "Congratulations, you know your math."  She teased. "Yeah, well, it's a gift."  Johnny laughed. "When are you coming back from camping?" "Saturday afternoon." "Think you'll be up to a practice run that evening or should I let you rest your tired old bones first?" "Ha-ha, I'll be fine."  He agreed. "Okay then meet me at Kennedy's track at 6 PM Saturday night."  Kaycee said. "Alright, this might be fun."                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Race day arrived, Johnny and Kaycee fell into a comfortable rhythm, alternating back and forth from running to stopping to navigate the map.  When the final runners crossed the finish line, they were surprised to find they'd finished second.  "Hey, not bad."  Johnny commented sitting in the back of the Land Rover, changing his shoes. "Yeah, the best Raymond and I could do was fourth place and that's after practicing for a while.  We just ran once together and got second.  Imagine if we actually trained for the next one." "Whoa, wait a minute.  Who said there's gonna be a next one?"  Johnny teased grinning. "Oh, come on, don't tell me you're satisfied with second.  That there's not some small part of you that wants a first."  She urged. "I guess you're right.  It would be kind of incredible to be the best at something."  He agreed. "That's the spirit."  Kaycee laughed. "Come on, I'll drop you of at home, and then I need to get back home myself.  I've got a bunch of work I've been putting off for way too long waiting for me." "Alright."  She agreed hopping into the passenger seat of the Land Rover. Johnny started it up and pulled away.  "So how was the overtime shift at 16's" "Not bad, except for that one paramedic there."  Kaycee answered. "Let me guess, Brice?" "Yeah, how'd you know?"  She asked surprised. "Let's just say Roy and I have had our share of Brice's rulebook quotations.  So how'd he drive you crazy?" "Kept filling me in on useless facts about men and women's strength differences.  He kept at it, until I finally snapped, picked him up in a fireman's carry, and carried him completely around the outside of the station, then he finally shut up. Johnny roared with laughter.  "You didn't.  Oh, man, I wish I could have been there to see that." "I think the other guys on the shift got a kick out of it.  Especially his partner." "Yeah, I know Animal got a good laugh out of it." "They really call Bellingham, Animal?"  She asked. "Yup, he and Brice are the strangest partnership I've ever seen.  I don't know how Animal works with Brice day in and day out and doesn't end up killing him." "I agree with you on that one.  When I finally put Brice down, he looked at me dead serious and stated,"  Kaycee switched voices, imitated Brice.  "Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule." Johnny laughed harder.  "You'd better stop, or I'm gonna get us in an accident." "Okay, I'll lay off for a while.  Remind me to tell you what I did to his bunk later that night."  Kaycee grinned mysteriously. "That is one story I gotta hear."  Johnny nodded, smiling back at her. Johnny guided the Land Rover into the traffic driving towards his house, stopped at a traffic signal, something caught the corner of his eye on the floorboard.  "Oops, Kaycee forgot her gym bag, I'm not that far away yet, I'll just run it back to her."  Her thought as he pulled a quick U-turn.  He pulled up to Kaycee's house to find her sitting dejectedly on the front steps. "Hey, Kaycee you forgot your bag."  He called shutting off the Land Rover and stepping out, carrying the bag to her.  "Hey, are you okay?"  He sat down next to her on the steps. "No, how could I be so stupid."  She sighed. "What's wrong?"  Johnny asked. "Raymond.  He just threw me out." "What about your stuff?"  Johnny asked. "That's what I'm kicking myself about.  See, he handled the money.  I signed my checks over to him, I just found out everything's in his name.  Nothing's mine, not the house, my car, even my clothes.  The only things in there that are mine are my uniforms and my bag of turnout gear, and he wouldn't let me get them out.  How am I going to explain that to Captain Stanley on Monday?"   She asked as tears welled up in her eyes. "We'll see about that."  Johnny stood up angry for his friend.  He pounded on the door and shouted.  "Raymond, open this door or I'm calling the police!" Raymond opened the door a crack with the chain still attached.  "Go ahead and call them, everything's mine, I can prove it."  Raymond sneered at him. "Everything except that duffel bag full of official fire department equipment, and Kaycee's uniforms.  Care to explain to the police how you got a hold of them?"  Johnny asked, calmly crossing his arms across his chest, putting on his best poker face.  "You know, we have a nasty firebug in the area, he's been real hard to catch, because he leaves the scene of fires dressed as a fireman.  What's the penalty for arson now days?  Oh, yeah, that's right, he injured two firemen at the last blaze, make that arson and attempted murder.  Hey Kaycee, where's there a phone around here?" "I'm no fire bug!"  Raymond yelled agitated. "Well, you know that, and I know that, but how are you planning to explain what a civilian's doing with a full set of turnout gear, and official uniforms?  You know how the media loves a good drama.  Imagine the headlines.  'Arsonist Impersonating Firemen, Caught'.  You know by the time they get done splashing your name around the papers, lots of people will believe you did it, even if you do manage to prove yourself innocent..."  Johnny continued.  The door flew open and Kaycee's duffel bag of equipment and uniforms, still on hangers came flying out. "Now get off my property!"  Raymond shouted slamming the door in Johnny's face. Johnny yelled to the closed door.  "Pleasure doing business with you Raymond.  You have a nice day now."  He helped Kaycee pick up the scattered clothing. "Come on."  He threw everything in the back of the Land Rover.  Kaycee got in and Johnny roared away, tires squealing. "Johnny, I don't have anyplace to go."  "Yeah, you do.  You can stay at my place.  I've got three bedrooms, I can only use one of them." "But I've got nothing but the clothes on my back."  She protested. "So we'll go shopping tomorrow, I'll put it on my credit card and you can pay me back next time we get a check." "I can't believe you're being so nice to me.  You barely know me."  Kaycee felt tears threatening again. "Kaycee, you've been a firefighter for almost two years and you still haven't learned the most important thing about firefighters?" "What's that?"  Kaycee choked out. "That we always watch each others backs."  Johnny smiled at her.  "Look, I don't know how you got yourself into this mess, and it's up to you if you decide to tell me.  But I'll give you a chance to get back on your feet.  I won't charge you anything for room and board.  Just help me out around the place.  See I have a ranch and I've got two horses, so there's always plenty of work to be done." "I don't feel right taking advantage of you like that.  At least let me help out with the bills and food."  Kaycee requested. "Alright, if it makes you feel better.  We'll split it 50/50."  Johnny gave in. "Okay.  Johnny, I will explain what happened, just give me some time."  Kaycee said sadly. "Don't worry about it.  Whenever you're ready, I'll be there ready to listen." "Can I ask you something?"  "Sure, shoot."  Johnny replied. "How come I've never heard about the arsonist that impersonates firemen?"  She asked grinning. "Because there isn't one."  Johnny grinned back.  "Well, I had to think of something to get him to give you your gear back." "Good thing Raymond's been out of town lately, he didn't realize there wasn't any arsonist.  You think pretty quick on your feet."  Kaycee commented. "Just another one of my many talents."  Johnny chuckled.  "We're here.  Come on I'll show you around."  He helped her carry her meager possessions in the house, dropping the duffle bag on the couch. "Nice place."  She commented looking around the living room. "Yeah, you should have seen it when I first bought it.  Can you believe they actually painted all the wood trim in here?  It took me and Roy four days just to strip it all and refinish it."  He led her into the kitchen.  "And you don't even want to know what this room looked like." "Bad?" "Well, let's just say, I've never been a fan of chickens. I still can't believe somewhere out there, there's a wallpaper manufacturer that really makes that stuff." She laughed.  "It couldn't have been that bad." "Want to see the before and after pictures?"  He challenged. "Alright."  She agreed.  He went back to the living room pulling down a photo album from the bookcase, and flipped it open. She looked over the pictures.  "Okay, you win.  It's the ugliest wallpaper pattern I've seen in my entire life." "Thought you'd agree with me after seeing the pictures. It really has to be seen to be believed."  He flashed her a lopsided grin as he replaced the photo album. "How long did it take you to finish redecorating the house?"  She asked, following his lead and picking up the rest of her belongings as they made their way to the second floor. "I'm still not done.  The master bedroom, and one guest bedroom are done. I've still got to finish up the last bedroom.  I'm just using it for storage now." "Well, if you need an extra hand to wallpaper, let me know." "Only if I get to pick out the print." "I have good taste."  She protested. "So did the lady that picked out the chickens."  He chuckled as he set her duffle bag down on the bed. She smiled at him, hanging up her uniforms in the closet.  "I guess I'm unpacked." "See, owning a lot of stuff, just makes it harder to move."  He grinned back at her. "I guess there's something to be said for living a spartan lifestyle."  Kaycee joked.  "Where'd you get that dreamcatcher?  It's beautiful."  She asked pointing to where it hung on the wall over the bed. "I made it."  He answered. "You made that?"  She asked astonished. "Yeah, I thought you knew, I'm half Lakota Indian." "I never thought to ask."  Kaycee said. "My grandfather taught me how to make them."  Johnny explained. "Wow, when I get my own place, will you make me one?"  "Tell you what, when you move, you take that one with you.  I'll make another one for in here." "Neat, my first housewarming gift, now all I need is a house to warm."  She joked. Johnny laughed.  "Well, I'm gonna go change, I have to go muck out the barn." "Okay, since I'm already unpacked, I guess I'll clean up around here and start dinner.  You do have food in the house?"  She asked. "Yeah, I just shopped yesterday after we got paid." "Ouch, don't remind me.  My whole paycheck gone."  She sighed. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking."  He apologized. "It's not your fault."  She smiled at him. "Okay, listen, if you want to shower and change, feel free to go through my closet and dresser for anything that'll tie you over until we can go shopping tomorrow." "You sure?"  She asked doubtfully. Johnny chuckled.  "As much as I'd like to have a scantily clad woman running around the house, I don't think it'd be appropriate.  Especially since we work together." He left her laughing and went in his room to change his clothes.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Johnny joined Kaycee at the table as she laid out dinner. "Jeez Kaycee, if you always cook like this, you can stay here forever." "Thanks, but I'd prefer to have my own kitchen to cook in."  She blushed slightly from his compliment. "You know, I've been thinking, since you don't have to worry about where to live, why don't you focus on getting a car first?  It'd be a good way to establish credit for you too." "I don't have any family to co-sign the loan." "I'll co-sign."  Johnny offered. "Johnny, you're doing way too much for me."  Kaycee protested. "Look, someone gave me a leg up once.  I'm just returning the favor.  You'll do the same someday for another if you feel the need to pay me back." "You know I will."  Kaycee promised. "Good, that's settled, you'll get yourself a car first.  Then buy what you need to furnish a small place.  We can store things in the basement and the barn.  When you're ready, you can either get yourself an apartment, or buy a small house.  What do you think?" "Seems like a good plan.  What about you driving me into work all the time until I can afford a car?" "We can just say your car died, and I'm picking you up on my way in since you don't live that far away from me." "That's close enough to the truth, since I live right across the hall from you."  Kaycee joked. "By the way, when Roy and I get the weekend off, we usually have Sunday dinner either at his house or here.  This weekend's his turn.  Wanna come along?" "I don't know, I mean I'm not really invited." "Relax, they won't mind one more for dinner.  Joanne always cooks enough to feed an army."  Johnny said. Kaycee looked at the almost empty dishes of food on the table.  "With the way you eat, I can see why."  She laughed.  "Alright, I'll come along."                                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After dinner at Roy's the next day, Kaycee tried to help Joanne with the clean up.   "That's okay Kaycee, I got it.  Go on ahead, I'll be in there in a minute with more coffee." "Are you sure?  I feel kind of bad leaving you with all the work."  Kaycee frowned. Joanne smiled.  "I don't know if Johnny's explained it to you or not.  But we have a tradition, every time the guys get a weekend off from work, we either have Sunday dinner here, or at Johnny's ranch.  This weekend, it was our turn, next time it'll be your turn and then I'll get to sit back after dinner, while you get stuck cleaning up the mess." "Okay, I'm going."  Kaycee laughed and left Joanne in the kitchen to join Roy and Johnny in the living room.  She sat down on the couch next to Johnny while Roy relaxed in his recliner, Johnny was busy explaining to Roy his plan to get Kaycee back on her feet. "Sounds like a smart way to go.  That way you won't be left without anything when you do get your own place."  Roy commented. "I hate taking advantage of Johnny's hospitality for so long.  It's gonna take me at least a year, if I follow his plan."  Kaycee frowned. "I told you Kaycee, just return the favor someday.  Besides you're not taking advantage of anything, you're pulling your weight."  Johnny dismissed her fears. "So how'd this happen anyway?"  Roy asked. "Roy I don't know if she's ready to talk about it yet. . . "  Johnny started to explain. "It's okay Johnny, you deserve to know what happened."  Kaycee sighed.  "It's a long story.  Raymond was my parent's best friends' son.  After my parents died in the first house fire when I was 13, he started helping out around the house, doing the things my grandma couldn't.  Over the years, my grandma came to trust him.  As she got older and had more problems seeing, he slowly took over paying the bills.  Eventually she put him on her checking account.  I moved to Arizona to join the fire department there, since LA wasn't accepting women at the time.  After I graduated the academy, grandma died,  she left almost everything to me, and the rest she left to Raymond for taking care of us.  Since I was living in Arizona, Raymond convinced me to sign the house over to him, said something about paying the taxes on it, because I was living out of state.  I was only 21 and living so far away, no family to help me out, so I believed him.  When I got offered the job back here in LA, I moved back into my old house with Raymond.  Because Raymond had always shared a checking account with my grandma, I never questioned when he asked for my signature to open a joint checking account and transfer my inheritance from my personal savings account to the joint account.  He asked that I deposit my checks directly into the account to cover the household expenses.  I didn't find out until yesterday it was a private account in his name only.  I guess when I told him I . . . ah. . . well, anyway, we had a fight yesterday, and he threw me out."  She finished abruptly. Johnny felt there was more to the story, but didn't press the issue.  "Man what a rotten thing to do to somebody.  Isn't there anything we can do to get Kaycee's inheritance back?" Roy shook his head.  "I don't think so, sounds like he did everything legally to steal Kaycee's inheritance, as deceitful as he was.  I don't think there's any way for Kaycee to try to get her property and money back." "So she just has to start from scratch with nothing?"  Johnny asked a little angry. "It's okay Johnny."  Kaycee spoke up.  "I'm a survivor, if I can make it through two house fires, and losing my whole family.  I can make it through anything.  Especially with the help of good friends like you." "Don't worry Kaycee, I won't take advantage of you like that, your money is yours."  Johnny stated. "I just can't get over how stupid I was.  I helped him steal everything from me.  I just signed whatever he put in front of me."  Kaycee berated herself.  "Look Kaycee, don't beat yourself up too much about it.  You're young, and you trusted him."  Roy said. "Roy's right, Kaycee.  You're grandmother trusted him too.  She was the only family you had, you just followed the example she set."  Johnny added. "Yeah, I guess you're right."  Kaycee sighed.  "Still doesn't make me feel better." "It'll get better.  Once you start getting your life back in order."  Roy reassured her. "I hope so."  Kaycee smiled sadly.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kaycee was quiet on the ride back to Johnny's.  When they arrived back at the ranch, Johnny took her by the hand and pulled her towards the barn.  "Come on." "Where are we going?"  She asked. "Whenever I feel like my problems are overwhelming me, I go for a long ride, gives me a chance to sort things out."  Johnny explained. "I don't know how to ride."  Kaycee admitted. "So I'll teach you."  He began saddling the two horses in the barn.  "Until you get a little more experienced, you'd better to stick to Windspirit, Thunderhead here's a little on the stubborn side sometimes."  He patted the horse he was adjusting the saddle on.  "I'll teach you how to saddle them, and then you can go for a ride whenever you want."  After he finished saddling the horses, he led them to the corral.  He spent the next half-hour teaching her how to get Windspirit to start, stop, and turn.  "You think you're ready for the real thing?" "Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be."  Kaycee answered. "Okay, I'm going to open the corral now.  These two haven't been exercised in a while, so hang on.  I got a feeling they're going to want to run just like they always do as soon as I take them out when I exercise them.  They usually take off over the field there, heading for the treeline.  You'll be okay, if she starts heading too close to the treeline, just turn her around back into the field."  Johnny explained. "Okay."  Kaycee tightened her grip and Johnny opened the gate.  Windspirit bolted from the corral, and Kaycee held on for dear life, scared out of her wits.  When Windspirit followed her lead to turn away from the trees, Kaycee relaxed and started enjoying the feeling of wind rushing past them.  The horse finally slowed to a walk.  She reached down and patted her neck smiling. Johnny pulled up Thunderhead next to her.  "Well?" "That was the most amazing thing I've ever done.  Do you always feel so free, just you and a horse and the great outdoors?" "Yeah, I've been riding since I was a kid, but I always get a rush when I'm on a running horse."  Johnny admitted.  "So I take it you like riding?" "Oh yeah."  Kaycee laughed. Johnny looked at his watch.  "We'd better head in.  I still have to call Jessie and let him know my schedule for this week?" "Who's Jessie?" "My neighbor's son, I pay him $20 a week, to come by on the days I'm at work and feed and water the horses for me." Okay, we'll head in, but one more race to the treeline and back."  She urged Windspirit into a run. "No fair, you got a head start."  Johnny called after her, as he urged Thunderhead to race after them. Kaycee won the last race, barely edging out Johnny.  They returned to the barn teasing each other about the outcome of the race.  When Kaycee dismounted Windspirit, she discovered the drawback to horseback riding.  She limped to one of the hay bales that sat on the floor of the barn, and sat down. Johnny was unsaddling the horses and didn't notice her discomfort.  When he'd finished, he turned to her.  "Let's head in, I need to make that phone call." She looked up at him.  "Um, Johnny, I think I got a problem." He looked puzzled for a minute, and finally realized that as a first time rider, she was probably saddle sore.  "Sorry, forgot to warn you about that,"  he said blushing slightly. "I haven't felt this sore since the first time I had sex."  She commented, laughing as she saw him blush more.  "Johnny Gage, I thought you were supposed to be the real ladies man?"  She teased. "Doesn't mean I like to talk about it."  He replied nervously.  He turned away and tried to busy himself feeding the horses to cover his embarrassment. She grinned at his discomfort, teasing him some more.  "So, I guess that means your a man of action, not words?"  He turned back to her.  "I'll show you just how much action."  He laughed, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her back to the house.  He dropped her on the couch.  "The soreness will go away in a little while."  He told her picking up the phone to call Jessie.  As he dialed the number, she couldn't resist one more barb.  "Yeah, I know, just like it did after my first time, the second time was much more enjoyable.  Is it like that with horseback riding too?" Johnny looked flustered, and stuttered into the phone.  "Yeah, um, this is, ah, Johnny, I, um, need to talk to Jessie."  Kaycee got up off the couch and limped towards the stairs.  "I'm going to take a nice, long, hot bath.  It helped the other time too."  She laughed at the blush rising in Johnny's cheeks again.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kaycee washed up the few dishes they'd used for a light dinner.  She heard the front door open and close and the steady creak of the porch swing.  She dried the last dish and poured two cups of coffee, carrying them outside.  "Here."  She handed one to Johnny. "Thanks."  He said, as he stopped the swing with his foot and set the coffee on the porch railing.  Kaycee sat down next to him.  "So what time do we need to leave for work in the morning?" "To beat the traffic in, we'll have to leave by 7 am."  Johnny answered.  Kaycee nodded and wrapped her arms around her chest, and tucked her legs under herself.  "Cold?" "It's a little chilly.  Forgot to buy a jacket today."  She grinned. "Here."  He said pulling her close and wrapped his arms around her. "Johnny. . ."  She tried to pull away. "Relax will you.  I'm just too lazy to get off my butt and go inside and grab you a jacket or a sweatshirt of mine."  He teased gently. Kaycee joined in laughing.  "I guess I'm a little over sensitive." Johnny could feel the tension still in her.  "Um, Kaycee, Raymond, ah, he didn't try anything, did he?"  He asked softly. Kaycee sighed.  "Ever since I moved back to LA three months ago, he's been trying to make some moves on me.  I avoided him as much as possible.  Picking up as many shifts as I could, the only time I stayed home much was when he was out of town on business.  I think that might be the reason why he threw me out yesterday.  I told him once and for all that I wasn't interested in him, and I never would be." "Kaycee, I'm sorry." "It's better now.  Even if I have nothing, at least I still have my dignity."  Kaycee finally relaxed in Johnny's arms. "Sometimes that's better than having everything in the world."  Johnny agreed.  "I promise you Kaycee, as long as you're living here, I won't make any moves on you."  He rubbed her arm. "Since I told you the truth, it's only fair that you tell me the truth.  Why are you doing all this for me?" At was Johnny's turn to sigh.  "I haven't told anybody about his, not even Roy.  See, I had a little sister.  Alia was eight years younger than me.  When she was 8, she got leukemia.  She fought it bravely, going through all kinds of treatments, but she died the next year.  My mom died about six months after that.  I think she just gave up.  After that, I just couldn't stay on the rez anymore, everywhere I went, I was reminded of them.  So I packed my bags and moved down here to LA with my aunt.  So in a way, I guess the reason I'm helping you, is because I miss having a sister to look after." "What about the rest of your family?  Don't they miss you?"  Kaycee asked. "All that's left is my aunt.  My dad took off shortly after Alia was born.   My grandfather died about two years after I moved to LA." "So we're both kind of orphans, no family." "Yeah, I guess so.  But we got each other now, right little sister?"  He teased trying to lighten the mood. "Right big brother."  Kaycee agreed smiling.  "I don't know about you, but it's nice to feel like I've got family again."  They sat in comfortable silence watching the stars for a while, before they decided to turn in for the night, heading upstairs to their separate bedrooms.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Over the next several weeks, Kaycee and Johnny settled into a comfortable companionship.  They had competed in another race, again finishing second.  "Well, at least we know we're consistent and our first race wasn't a fluke."  Johnny commented as the results were announced. Kaycee laughed.  "Did you see who was sixth?" "Yeah, where'd he drag her out from?"  Johnny whispered to Kaycee nodding his head towards Raymond and his new partner. Kaycee grinned and whispered back in his ear.  "Under a rock?"  They both laughed. Raymond and his new partner approached them.  "Kaycee, anytime you're ready to come back, just say the word." "What, and deprive. . .  What's you name?"  She asked Raymond's partner. "Amy."  She answered. "Amy.  Deprive Amy of the pleasure of your company.  Never.  By the way Amy, piece of friendly advice, keep an eye on your wallet."  She turned to Johnny.  "Ready to go Johnny?" "Yup, let's get going."  Johnny answered throwing his shoes in the back of the Land Rover. As Kaycee brushed past Raymond on her way to the passenger door, Raymond reached out and grabbed her wrist forcefully.  "You mean you'd rather live in poverty with some injun than with a real man?"  He hissed in her ear. Kaycee pulled her wrist away.  "He's twice the man you'll ever be.  Enjoy living in my house.  That's all of me you'll ever own."  She jumped in the seat as Raymond made another grab for her.  "Go!"  She shouted at Johnny. He quickly pulled away almost running Raymond over in the process.  "What'd he say?"  He asked a few minutes later. Kaycee looked out the side window away from Johnny.  "He tried to convince me to come back to him.  And. . .   Well maybe I shouldn't tell you." "He insulted me didn't he?"  Johnny asked already guessing the answer. "Yeah."  Kaycee confirmed. "So what'd he say about me?"  "You sure you want to know?" "Yeah, it's not the first time I've been insulted."  Johnny reassured her. "He asked if I'd rather live in poverty with some injun than a real man like him."  Kaycee repeated. "Relax Kaycee, I've been called worse.  So what'd you tell him?" "I told him the truth, that you're twice the man he'd ever be, and to enjoy living in my house, because that's the only piece of me he'll ever own." "Good for you."  He praised Kaycee smiling. "I just hope that's the end of it."  Kaycee smiled back. "I'm sure it will be."  Johnny said confidently.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A few days later, the phone rang at Station 51.  Marco was rummaging through the fridge looking for something to eat, so he answered it.  "LA County Fire Department, Fireman Lopez." "Kaycee Blake there?"  The voice asked. "Hang on."  Marco said setting the receiver on top of the phone.  He walked across to the dorm, where he'd last seen Kaycee and Johnny talking on Johnny's bunk. Johnny was explaining to Kaycee his most recent dating success with a new stewardess he'd recently met.  "So when are you going out with her again?"  Kaycee asked. "Soon as she gets back in town.  She said she'd call me." "Did you get her number?"  Kaycee asked grinning. "No, she said she doesn't have a phone in LA."  He explained. Marco interrupted their conversation.  "Hey Kaycee, phone for you." "Thanks Marco."  She called to him standing up.  "Johnny I hate to break it to you, but don't hold your breath waiting for her to call."  She headed out of the dorm laughing. "What's that supposed to mean?"  He called after her. "Think about it."  Kaycee called back from the equipment bay, on her way to the kitchen.  She pulled the receiver down.  "Firefighter Blake."  She was greeted by the click of the phone and then a dial tone.  Johnny entered the kitchen on her heels.  "What did you mean by that?"  He asked again and then noticed the frown on Kaycee's face.  "Who was it?" "I don't know, they hung up on me as soon as I answered.  Hey Marco, did they leave a name?"  "No, just asked for you."  Marco answered from the table. "Well was it a male or female voice?"  She asked. "Male." "Hmm, that's strange, I wonder why they waited to hang up until I answered?"  She muttered quietly.  Shaking off the thought it might be Raymond, she continued the conversation with Johnny.  "Aw, come on Johnny, don't tell me you're so dim you don't know a kind brush off when you get one?" "What do you mean brush off?" "Johnny, I'll bet you five bucks she doesn't call you back in the next month."  She challenged. "You're on.  She'll call, you'll see."  He grinned smugly, then his grin faded.  "What makes you so sure she won't call?" Kaycee motioned Johnny back to the dorm where they could have some privacy.  "Because you didn't see the daggers she was shooting at you when you introduced me as your roommate.  She thought we were an item." "You and me?  Don't be silly, I told her we're just friends."  He laughed. "I don't think she believed you."  Kaycee disagreed. Johnny frowned nervously as Roy entered the dorm in search of his partner.  "Johnny, you ready?  We need to make a supply run to Rampart." "Yeah, I guess."  Johnny muttered heading out of the dorm to the squad. "What's his problem?"  Roy asked hitching his thumb towards the door.  "Same as usual, the Gage charm struck out again."  Kaycee laughed. "The stewardess?"  Roy asked. "Yup, told him she'd call him when she got back into town." "Great, he's gonna be a barrel of laughs to work with.  Thanks for the warning." "Anytime."  Kaycee answered walking Roy out of the dorm. Roy hopped in the squad, where Johnny was already waiting for him.  He started the squad as Johnny called in their plans.  "LA, Squad 51, 10-8 to Rampart Hospital for supplies." "Squad 51."  Dispatch confirmed. Roy waited until they were almost to the hospital before speaking.  "You're quiet today." "Yeah.  Can I ask you something Roy?" "Shoot."  Roy answered. "Do you think anybody would really believe that me and Kaycee were seeing each other?" "Your date last night?" "Yeah, Kaycee said she thinks I got dumped last night because Linda thought something was going on between me and her." Roy thought about it for a minute.  "Well, you two do get along real well, you spend a lot of your off time together and she's living with you.  I guess I can see how someone could misinterpret that." "But it's silly, right, me and Kaycee?  She's like a little sister to me.  Yeah, we're close, but we share a lot of the same interests, running races, horseback riding, camping.  That's why we spend a lot of our off hours together.  If I could find a girlfriend that liked to do those types of things, I'd spend more time with her than with Kaycee." Roy backed the squad into a parking space at Rampart.  He shut off the squad, and turned to look at Johnny.  "You sure about that Junior?"  He asked before getting out of the squad. Johnny scrambled out and raced after him.  Roy was already inside by the time Johnny caught up with him.  "What did  you mean by that Roy?" Roy stopped and turned to Johnny.  "I think you like her a lot more than like a sister." "It's not like that Roy."  Johnny defended himself. "Than what is it like Johnny?"  Roy asked.  Johnny opened his mouth to answer and couldn't think of a response.  "That's what I thought."  Roy nodded, turning back to walk to the nursing station, a stunned Johnny following behind.  "Hey Dix, how's our favorite patient today?" "Grumpy as usual.  He's been trying to convince Joe to take the body cast off early." "Did Dr. Early tell Chet when it's coming off?"  Johnny asked, finally recovering from the conversation he'd just had with Roy. "Well from the X-rays they did today, the fractured vertebra are healing nicely.  Joe said probably another ten days.   Then he'll be able to start mild physical therapy." "That's good news.  We need some supplies Dix."  Roy pulled the list from his shirt pocket. Dixie took the list from him.  "Why don't you two stop up and see him.  I'll get your supplies ready for you." "You don't mind?"  Johnny asked. "No, it's a slow morning.  Go on, see if you can cheer him up some."  She waved them off. "Thanks Dix."  Roy called as he and Johnny headed to the elevator. When the elevator doors closed, Johnny began playing with the strap on the HT nervously.  "Roy, can you do me a big favor.  Don't tell Kaycee about what we just talked about." "I won't say anything.  Why are you so nervous about it anyway?"  Roy asked taking the HT from him. Johnny shoved his hands in his pockets.  "It's just that I promised Kaycee that as long as she was living with me, I wouldn't make any moves on her.  I don't want to break my promise." "You got my word, I won't say anything."  Roy smiled. "Thanks Roy."  Johnny relaxed. Roy popped his head in Chet's room.  "Hey pal, you up for some visitors?" "Yeah, come on in."  Chet grinned.  "You bring me anything?" "Just ourselves."  Johnny answered.  "Why, do you need something?" "A magazine would be nice.  I'm bored to tears watching soap operas."  Chet answered. "Alright Chet, just for you, I'll run down and get one for you."  Johnny agreed. "Just don't make it one of those feminine magazines."  Chet called after him. "Now Chet would I do that to you?"  Johnny asked innocently laying his hand on his chest. "Gage!"  Chet hissed. Johnny chuckled.  "Take it easy Chester B.  The newest issue of Wheels and Gears is out.  I was going to pick that up for you."  Johnny laughed. "Okay, thanks Johnny."  Chet watched Johnny leave the room, and turned to Roy.  "So how's Kaycee working out?" "Real well, you'd like working with her.  She's got great taste in pigeons." "Really?"  She get Gage good?" "Yeah, you'd have been proud.  Got him with a water catapult in the supply closet day before yesterday.  She told me to tell you, not to worry, she's just keeping him warm for when you get back, and then he's all yours." "Oh yeah, that's pretty nice of her.  Tell her thanks for me." "I will."  Roy promised.  "Dixie said you might be leaving all this plaster behind in a little while." "Yeah, Dr. Early said another ten days."  Chet answered. "Once you get in PT, you'll be wishing you were back in there again."  Roy teased knocking lightly on Chet's cast. "That's what they tell me."  Chet nodded.  Johnny returned with the magazine as the Dispatch inquired over the HT.  "Squad 51 what's your status?" "Squad 51 available."  Roy responded. "Squad 51, stand by for a transmission."  Dispatch announced. "I know, I know, you gotta go.  Thanks for the magazine Johnny."  Chet took the magazine from Johnny and waved good bye to the paramedics. "Yeah, okay, we'll be by later if we get the chance."  Roy explained. "See you later Chet."  Johnny added.  They headed to the stairs.  The call came through as they reached the base station.  Johnny stopped for the supplies, and Roy continued on to the squad.  "Thanks for the supplies Dix, we gotta run." "See you later, Johnny."  Dixie called after him.  Johnny raced to the squad, jumping in as Roy fired it up.  They threw on their helmets, and sped away to their next rescue.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following morning, Johnny and Kaycee arrived home.  Neither of them had noticed the dark brown Nova that had tailed them home.  Stepping out of the car, they heard a commotion in the barn.  Both raced towards it.  Thunderhead was snorting and rearing, attempting to kick out the walls of his stall.  "Stay back."  Johnny ordered.  He approached the stall from the side talking soothingly to the frightened horse.  He pulled his shirt off over his head as he got close.  "Easy there, Thunder.  I don't know why your so nervous, but just take it easy."  He quickly wrapped the shirt over Thunderhead's eyes, the horse instantly quieted down.  Johnny backed him out of the stall and moved him to one on the other side of Windspirit.  He went back to the stall peering inside.  "Oh, Christ!"  He yelled scrambling up the side wall of the stall. "What is it?"  Kaycee asked. "Rattlesnake."  Johnny grimaced remembering his previous experience with a rattlesnake. She grinned at the position he was in, clinging to the side wall of the stall.  "I thought little boys liked to play with snakes?"  She teased. "You don't understand, I got bit by one before."  He explained his voice rising an octave, in his panic. "You got bit by a rattlesnake?"  She asked frowning. "Yeah, a couple of years ago.  We were on a run in the middle of nowhere, Roy was riding in the helicopter to the hospital with the victims we'd just pulled from a wrecked car.  I went back to pick up the HT and one was under the car.  When I reached in for the HT, it bit me."  He explained.  "The rest of the guys, got me up on top of the hosebed of the engine and I had to treat myself for the snakebite, even start my own IV.  We were still 30 minutes from the hospital.  By the time they got me there, I was already unconscious.  It was one of my closer calls, if you know what I mean." "God, I'm sorry Johnny, if I had known how traumatic an experience you had with a rattlesnake, I wouldn't have teased you about it."  She apologized. "It's okay, can you do me a favor though?" "What?" "Can you kill that rattlesnake for me?"  He pleaded. "Yeah, sure.  Got a CO2 extinguisher around?"  Kaycee asked grabbing a pitchfork, and leaning it against the wall of the stall. "Yeah, over by the feed bins."  Johnny pointed to it. "Okay, just tell me where it is." "It's in the corner, far left.  Be careful, it's coiled." "I don't plan on getting that close to it."  Kaycee entered the stall, the extinguisher aimed to the corner.  "Let me know when I'm getting close."  She took a few more steps and heard the rattle. "Kaycee, I think that's close enough." "You think?"  She asked sarcastically shooting the extinguisher at the corner of the stall.   When the spray ended, she looked closer in the corner.   "Wanna hand me that pitchfork?" "Is it dead?" "I think so, but I'm not picking it up with my bare hands." "Yeah, sure, here."  Johnny handed her the pitchfork. "Stand back."  She said scooping up the dead snake with the pitchfork. "Don't worry."  Johnny joked, trying to cover his embarrassment at having Kaycee witness his fear of snakes.  "The last thing I want to do is come face to face with one of those again."  While she disposed of the dead snake, he went to the still frightened horse and began talking soothingly to him, rubbing his hand over his side. "How's he doing?"  Kaycee asked returning the extinguisher to its place.  "You'd better get that refilled, I used the whole thing." "Yeah, I will.  Looks like Thunderhead's going to be okay.  He's just skittish right now." "Why'd you cover his eyes?"  Kaycee asked. "So he'd quiet down, it was the only way to get him out of there.  If he'd been still able to see that snake, he would have trampled me, even though I was trying to help him."  Johnny explained.  "By the way, thanks for killing that snake for me." "No problem.  What would you have done if I wasn't here?"  Kaycee asked grinning. "I guess I would have killed it myself, I'm just glad I didn't have to.  Come on, I at least owe you breakfast for that."  Johnny grinned, and still barechested, he slung his arm around her shoulders and they walked back to the house.  In the panic with the horses, they didn't notice the lone figure crouched in the bushes.  They chatted on the way in the house, teasing each other.  "Have I told you lately, how much I love having you here?"  He asked. "Not today, you haven't."  Kaycee joked. "Okay, so I'll tell you now.  I love having you here."  He squeezed her shoulders. "And you know I love being here."  "Wanna live here forever with me?  You can kill snakes for me anytime." "Only if you kill the spiders for me."  Kaycee grinned as they entered the house. The figure in the bushes stalked away.  "So you think you love living here with him?  You don't know your own mind.  No way you'd be happy living with that injun.  He's got you brainwashed."  Raymond thought to himself as he walked back to where he had parked his car.  "I gotta get you out from under that injun's spell, then you'll come running back to me."  His face pulled into a twisted grin.                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day they had off from work, Johnny and Kaycee were eating lunch.  "You sure you don't want to come along?"  Johnny asked. "And do what, watch you scoot around under a truck on a creeper?  No thanks, I see enough of that at the station."  Kaycee teased. "I didn't mean that.  I meant if you wanted to come along to see Joanne." "Actually, I was kind of looking forward to having the house to myself for a few hours."  Kaycee said.  "Besides that Joanne won't be there.  Jennifer's got her kindergarten play this afternoon, remember?" "Oh yeah, I forgot about that."  Johnny nodded. "So go have some fun with Roy, I'll just spend the afternoon enjoying the peace and quiet."  She cleared the plates off the table. "Alright, trying to get rid of me, huh?"  He asked in a mock hurt voice.  Kaycee nodded and he burst into laughter.  "Okay I can take a hint.  You know you can take Windspirit for a ride if you want." "I might do that."  Kaycee answered.  "You gonna be back for dinner, or are you eating there?" "I don't know.  Depends on what's wrong with Roy's truck."  Johnny frowned. "Tell you what, give me a call around 4 PM and let me know.  That way if your coming home for dinner, I'll have enough time to make something." "Good idea."  Johnny looked at his watch.  "I'd better go, Roy'll be waiting.  If he calls tell him I'm on my way." "Okay."  She walked him to the door.  "Have fun and play nice."  She teased him. "Okay mom."  He joked back.  "I'll be a good boy."  He planted a kiss on her forehead.  "See ya."  He called waving as he backed the Land Rover down the driveway. "Not if I see you first."  She called after him laughing.  She went back in the house to finish cleaning up after lunch. Their exchange at the door was once again observed.  "Let's see how much you injun loves having you here when your bad luck with fires hits a little too close to home."  Raymond chuckled to himself.  "He won't be wanting you anywhere near him when his precious horses burn to death."  He crept to the barn. Kaycee had just sat down on the couch to read a book, when the phone rang.  She got up and moved to the chair near the window to answer it.  "Hello, Gage residence."  "Hey Kaycee, it's Roy." "Hi Roy, I know why you're calling.  Johnny left here about 15 minutes ago." "Thanks, I was just calling to see if he got delayed for some reason." "Nope, he headed out right after lunch."  Kaycee caught movement outside, in of the corner of her eye.  She stepped closer to the window as she talked to Roy.  "Hey, when you guys come over to dinner on Sunday, think Joanne would mind bringing. . .What the hell?  Roy call the fire department, there's smoke coming from the barn."  She yelled slamming the phone down. She raced out to the barn, hearing the distressed cries of the horses inside.  "Hang on you two, I'm coming."  She thought to herself as she threw open the barn doors.  "Oh, my God.  How'd that happen," was the shocked thought that ran through her mind at the sight of the hayloft engulfed in flames.  She sprang into action grabbing a saddle blanket off the side of Windspirit's stall.  She quickly threw it over the frightened horse's eyes, snapped her halter on and led her out of the burning barn to the back porch, securing her lead around the rail.  She returned to the barn for Thunderhead, coughing hard into the arm she'd flung across her face trying to filter the smoke.  She wrapped the blanket around Thunderhead the same as she had done for Windspirit, snapped his halter on and led him back to the barn door, staggering the last few steps as she choked on the smoke.  She felt herself slipping into unconsciousness as the smoke overcame her.  She didn't feel the strong arms that caught her as she collapsed.                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Johnny had just guided the Land Rover on the freeway, heading to Roy's house when he looked at the passenger seat.  "Oh, damn it."  He sighed.  "Forgot the toolbox."  He grinned at the memory of Kaycee teasing him about forgetting his head if it wasn't screwed on.   "Guess, she'll just have more ammunition to tease me about."  He chuckled to himself pulling off at the next exit and turning the Land Rover toward home. On the road to his house, he noticed the smoke.  "Wonder where that's coming from?  Better call the fire department when I get home."  He thought.  When he got closer , he realized the smoke was coming from his place.  He braked to a stop in his front yard, not wasting time to park properly in the driveway.  As soon as the Land Rover stopped, he was out and running towards the barn.  "Kaycee!"  He yelled.  He saw Windspirit tied to the porch.  Knowing she'd go back in for Thunderhead, he raced to the barn doors.  He reached the doorway in time to catch Kaycee as she fell.  He slung her over his shoulder and used his free hand to lead Thunderhead out and over to the porch.  He heard the faint wail of sirens as he laid Kaycee down in the grass.  His paramedic training took over his numb mind as he fought back tears.  "Jesus, she's not breathing."  He started rescue breathing automatically.  "Come on Kaycee, breathe."  He hissed at her between breaths.  "Breathe damn it." Engine 48 pulled in close to the barn and Squad 48 pulled in behind them.  Captain Maynard approached Johnny.  "Gage?  Is this your place?"  He asked the paramedic recognizing him. "Yeah, I need some oxygen here."  Johnny answered between breaths. "Paul, Seth, you got a victim over here.  Grab your O2, John Gage is rescue breathing for her over here."  Captain Maynard called to his squad. "John, I'm sorry, there's not much more we can do than surround and drown at this point.  It's just too involved."  He said sadly looking at the burning structure. "It's okay Cap, I understand."  Johnny glanced up at the burning barn, only feeling grateful that Kaycee was breathing on her own again. "What you got Johnny?"  Seth asked setting the drug box down as Paul set up the biophone. Johnny explained while he hooked Kaycee up to the oxygen.  "Kaycee Blake, 23 year old, firefighter.  Lost consciousness approximately five minutes ago, was in respiratory arrest, strong pulse.  Rescue breathing started probably within one minute of onset.  Spontaneous breathing now." "Okay Johnny, we'll take it from here."  Seth reassured him with a small smile. "Just take good care of her."  Johnny said finally allowing his emotions to surface, now that help had arrived. "Johnny, are you okay?" Johnny looked up to see his neighbor Rex Kimble, he stood up from Kaycee.  "Yeah, I'm alright.  Had a close call with Kaycee, but she's doing better." "See you got the horses out."  Rex nodded to the two horses. "Yeah, thanks to Kaycee, she was here by herself when it started."  Johnny explained. "Tell you what, I'll have Jessie and Megan ride them back to my place.  I'll keep them there for you until you can get the barn rebuilt."  Rex offered. "Thanks Rex. I'll pay you for their boarding."  Johnny said. Rex waved him off.  "That's what neighbors are for." "Thanks.  I'll get the barn rebuilt as soon as possible." "Don't rush on my account.  You know I got plenty of room in my barn."  Rex patted Johnny's shoulder. "I appreciate it." The ambulance arrived and Johnny helped load Kaycee in for the ride to the hospital.  Roy arrived at the chaotic scene.  "Johnny?!" "Over here Roy."  Johnny called back. "Whew, I saw the ambulance and thought it was you."  Roy said relieved. "I wish it were me in that ambulance Roy."  Johnny replied miserably. "Kaycee?"  He asked. "Yeah, she ran in the burning barn to save the horses."  He answered. "They taking her to Rampart?" "Yeah."  Johnny looked at Roy, tears shining in his eyes. Roy immediately picked up on Johnny's emotional state.  "How about I drive you over there.  Doesn't look like there's much you can do here anyway." "Okay, just let me lock up."  Johnny agreed walking to the house. Roy approached the captain.  "Captain Maynard?" "Yeah.  Oh, hello Roy.  Sorry we couldn't do more to save John's barn." "It's okay, as long as the horses got out, and Kaycee's alright.  Listen, I don't mean to sound paranoid, but this is the third fire involving Kaycee Blake.  Mind taking a careful look around when you're doing overhaul for anything suspicious?" "You think Kaycee? . . "  Captain Maynard started. "No, she was on the phone with me when the fire started.  But I'm starting to have a feeling there maybe somebody out there that wants to harm her."  "Okay, we'll take a close look for you." "Thanks."  Roy said gratefully. "I'm gonna take Johnny to Rampart to check on Kaycee." "Okay, we'll contact you there if we find anything."  Captain Maynard nodded. continued