The New Girl in Town by Linda As he sat on the front porch of his ranch style home Johnny could not believe how much transpired in three short months.  Sarah came into his life by an unusual set of circumstances and caused people he loved to almost fall apart.  But none of it was her fault. "Are you coming in soon?" he shouted to be heard over the sounds of the horse's hooves. "Dinner's ready and I'm starving." "Okay, I'm coming! Are you ever not hungry?"  She replied as she got down and walked Fury into the barn.  She quickly took care of Fury's needs and walked back to the house.  He looked her over and said, "You are not coming to the table like that are you?" His hands were on his hips to demonstrate he meant business with his statement. He could be so annoying sometimes.  "Why, are we having company? Maybe I should put on a ball gown." She could give it as well as he could. With that she headed off to get cleaned up. Though others might disagree, she was not raised by a pack of wolves.  She quickly washed and put on a pair of jeans and a sheriff's department t-shirt and went to join him for dinner. "So your probation is up this week, right?" He asked without looking up from his plate.  "How about we throw a barbecue this Saturday and introduce you to everyone - finally?" His knee was bouncing under the table. If she didn't agree to it he was in big trouble since he already invited his shiftmates and friends from Rampart. "Your knee is going to set off the Richter scale at Cal. Tech." She continued, "yeah, Saturday sounds good. Listen, again I'm sorry about not letting you tell everyone about our situation but I had enough to deal with without everyone watching me.  The questions and the answers would be hard on you and me.  Also, starting a new job, and moving away from everything familiar -- well you understand -- don't you?" The pleading in her deep brown eyes just begged to be understood. Johnny was quiet and pensive for a moment before answering, "Yea, I understand. But I gotta tell ya if I didn't have Roy and Joanne to confide in I might not have made it." No statement was ever more true.  Roy had been there since the get-go. Actually, it was Roy and Dr. Brackett who 'discovered' her. Roy was the one who encouraged John to 'go see for yourself'. Still, at first, John became nervous and angered by her presence. During the first few weeks Roy kept John centered on the fact that she was not responsible for the position she found herself in. "John I'm working the night shift the next two days and you're on duty tomorrow so we better clean this place up tonight." She was already finished with her dinner and was putting the dishes in the sink.  She turned back to face John, "So you think your little Jenny is going to be jealous of the new woman in your life?"  She was smiling at him with that same crooked grin he was famous for. "Well, Sarah Gage, I don't think so as long as you'll play Barbies with her," he stood and walked over to the sink with his dishes.   With his back to Sarah, she couldn't see the smile on his face. "Me, BARBIES? I never even saw one till I came here-cornhusk and rag dolls is all I know!" Sarah had her middle finger of her right hand poking herself in the center of her chest as she continued to rant.  "Those dolls are ridiculous. I mean, come on, letting your kid play with one of those is like, like 'here's a bimbo for your birthday'.  I thought Joanne was better than that. Jennifer is gonna grow up thinking that's the way women should look.  That all women should care about is clothes, shoes and what fancy sports car they can get in pink." Sarah was still talking about the bimbo as she made her way past John to head upstairs to start cleaning.  John just shook his head and started picking up the downstairs.  Saturday was going to be a day to remember. Roy and Joanne decided that Chris and Jenn would not be able to keep the secret about Sarah Gage so they also would be having a surprise on Saturday. ### Thursday morning John went to pick up Roy for work. Jennifer let her favorite uncle in.  "Hi Uncle Johnny! Dad says he'll be down in a minute. When can I come ride Fargo again-I bet he misses me." Jennifer just thought her uncle was the greatest and she almost always got what she wanted from him. But lately he hadn't been over much. Sometimes when he did come over her Daddy and Uncle would talk quietly in the workroom.  Rubbing his chin and shaking his head Johnny replied," I don't know----How 'bout Saturday?" "Really, you mean it?" Jennifer just flew into her uncle's arms. He swung her around and placed her gently down. "Yep, I'm having a barbecue and everyone is invited. Your family and everyone from the station is included, even Dixie, Dr. Brackett, and Dr. Early.  Dr. Morton's on call, so he won't be there." "So, she went for it huh?" Roy said as he came down the stairs hearing the end of the conversation between his daughter and best friend. "Yeah, she didn't even hesitate. I think she's more comfortable since my parents came to terms with everything," John had forgotten little ears were in the room.  "Who are you talking about, Uncle Johnny?" Roy and John exchanged 'whoops' expressions.  John knelt to be eye to eye with Jenn. "How about you and your family come over a little early on Saturday to find out?" Jennifer took his face in her little hands and agreed. "JENNIFER-SCHOOL BUS -MOVE IT YOUNG LADY-CHRIS YOU TOO," called Joanne from the kitchen. "Bye Mom, Dad, Uncle Johnny," shouted the DeSoto children with lunch boxes and bookbags in hand, heading out the door. Joanne exited the kitchen, drying her hands with a dishtowel. "Could I interest you in a cup of coffee before work, do you have the time?" Roy checked his watch.  "No time for anything." Grabbing John by the arm, he kissed his wife and ran to the Rover in one swift move.  Joanne just shook her head and went about the chores and errands for the day.  She realized John didn't tell her if the barbecue was on for Saturday. Oh well, she would just call him at work later. Roy just listened to John describe everything he needed to do to be ready for Saturday. Roy didn't know how John was going to accomplish all the errands while working.  "Johnny you're working today. How are you going to buy the party goods?" Roy inquired. "Well, Sarah gets off work at 11pm. So, one of her friend's will drop her off by the station, she'll pick up the Rover and hit one of those 24 hour grocery stores and get everything." Roy couldn't believe his ears. John was going to let her drive the Rover.  "Uh, Johnny… how are we getting home in the morning if she has the car?" "Sarah will pick me up - around the corner so no one sees her - can't spoil Saturday's surprise." Roy could see the wicked smile his partner had on his face and he couldn't be happier for John that everything was working out. Three months ago, however, Johnny was not happy at all. ### THREE MONTHS EARLIER "South Dakota, man I don't envy you.  It is going to be freezing this time of year. Probably could even get stuck in a blizzard." John said as he tried to get comfortable but his ribs were really aching. "Believe me, Joanne was not thrilled about having to spend money on winter clothes while being on such a tight budget.  But seeing how the person who was supposed to go is laid up," Roy gave Johnny a look that made Johnny just want to crawl under the sheets, "she really didn't have a choice, did she?" Johnny was looking forward to the trip.  South Dakota wasn't that far from where he grew up. He even thought about taking vacation time to go see his parents when Brackett and he were done explaining the paramedic program to the council on the Cheyenne River Reservation. "Honestly Roy do you think I got hurt on purpose? I wanted to go on this trip." "Listen I'd better get going. My flight leaves in little over an hour. Be good and follow doctors orders so when I come back I don't have to work with Brice." With that, Roy left the hospital room.  He met Dr. Brackett in the ER and they headed out to the airport. The flight was uneventful, and they were to be met by Dr. Sheriden Metz who would drive them to Eagle Butte to meet with the council.  Dr. Metz was waiting for the two men he hoped would convince the council that a paramedic program was just what the reservation needed.  Medical care was minimal at best. He was one of less than a handful of doctors who worked on the reservation. The other doctors didn't even live on the reservation so in bad weather he might be the only qualified help for the local population.  Throw in the fact that some of the other doctors didn't want to treat Indians because  'my other patients will not come back' and Dr. Metz was, for all intents and purposes, alone. One of his deputies had heard of the paramedic program while transporting an escaped felon to Bismarck.  The deputy had taken the prisoner to the hospital because he kept complaining of abdominal pain. The deputy saw firemen coming and going and providing medical care. Upon returning to the reservation, the deputy told Dr. Metz about the program.  Dr. Metz contacted Dr. Brackett because he heard of his work establishing paramedic programs.  Several phone calls later Brackett and a paramedic would come up and do a presentation.   As Roy and Dr. Brackett exited the plane, they saw a man in his early fifties holding a sign with Dr. Brackett's name on it.  "Hello, I'm Dr. Brackett. Are you Dr. Metz?" The two men shook hands. "That right, Sheriden Metz, I can not begin to tell you how happy I am that you came."  Dr Metz had an infectious smile on his face. "This is firefighter/paramedic Roy DeSoto," Brackett said. Metz shook Roy's hand and then helped Roy and Brackett gather up the luggage and headed out to the car.  "Is it a long ride to Eagle Butte?" Roy inquired. "Well it's about a two hour drive on roads that aren't the best so it will seem even longer, sorry," Metz said as they headed out of the airport parking lot. Brackett decided to take this time to find out more information about the reservation and its medical services. "So, Dr. Metz, based on what you said on the availability of doctors, how do you provide even the basic care to the community?"  "Midwives. A lot of them can help with the basic things such as suturing, monitoring hypertensive and diabetic cases. And they also provide pre- and postnatal care. But it has taken me years to earn the trust and confidence of the people. That why if I could get some of the Cheyenne themselves trained to be paramedics, at least I wouldn't have to worry about the trust issue." Roy didn't realize how extremely limited the medical care here was. "So, when more serious cases come in to your office, what do you do?" "My wife and daughter learned a lot of procedures over the years, helping me. As a matter of fact I hoped my daughter would go to medical school. But she said 'sitting in a classroom for that many years would be worse than death' so here I am talking to you." The rest of the ride consisted of discussion range from the size and population of the reservation to how best approach the tribal council. "My partner and best friend back home is from Pine Ridge Montana. He told me that it could be a hard sell but the program was probably the best thing to happen for the community." Metz was nodding in agreement. "Pine Ridge is a lot like here. The Sioux are a great people. Let's face it, the Indians have been treated terribly but they haven't given up on what is important to them in over 500 years.  That tenacity and love of family is something I am constantly in awe of.  No matter how or what is said to them, they keep their heads held high."  Roy couldn't help thinking of Johnny. John certainly had all those characteristics. "Well, gentleman we have arrived."  There in front of them was what looked like an old west town.  Small buildings lined either side of a small stone road. Dr. Metz pulled up in front of a medium size two story home. " This is my clinic and home.  My family lives on the second floor and my clinic is on the first. That building next door is the sheriff's office. Come on inside and meet the wife." Roy and Brackett were led into a fairly large open area with stairs to the right.  Everything was spotless. Plain wooden benches for waiting patients on one wall. Indian paintings and artifacts decorated the room. Several photos on one wall caught Roy's attention.  "Who are all these people in these pictures with you?" Metz walked over to where Roy was standing. "Well, those are some of my patients.  It makes my new patients more comfortable to see I've treated and become friends with people and family they know." "I see you finally made it home.  Hi, I'm Elma.  Wife and medical assistant to Doc, " said the short and stocky woman as she came from what must be the kitchen. "Lunch is ready so go wash up." "Better move it guys, or else," Metz said pointing the way to the bathroom.  After cleaning up, the three men and Elma sat down for lunch. She served stew with fresh baked bread. It was delicious and devoured. "DOC-DOC you here." A loud shout came from the front of the clinic. Metz quickly stood and went to the voice. " Sheriff, what's the problem?" "That daughter of yours is comin' in with a kid that got chewed up by a bear. She said he's bleeding real bad." The sheriff was tall and weathered looking. He wore his blond hair in a crew cut and his uniform was perfect. "Okay, Elma let's get set up. Get out some IVs of saline and pressure bandages.  Have several suture packs ready to go." ordered Metz, momentarily forgetting about his visitors. "Oh Sheriff, this is Roy DeSoto and Dr. Brackett from Los Angeles. They're here about the paramedic program I was telling you about." A siren could be heard coming closer. Elma was standing at the door when the deputy pulled up out front. The deputy quickly grabbed the mauled child and ran into the clinic. "He hasn't said a word to me. I couldn't keep pressure on the wounds and drive at the same time. There is just so much blood!" Despite the urgency of the situation, Roy found himself taken aback by the deputy's looks. Quickly Metz, his wife and the deputy started treating what appeared to be a ten-year-old boy. Bracket and Roy also began helping in any way they could. The Sheriff, seeing that the boy had good medical care, decided to pull his deputy away from the treatment table. "You need to clean yourself up. The docs are taking good care of the boy. Come on, tell me who he is and how you found him?" His deputy responded rather angrily,  "I'm not leaving until I know how he is?" "Okay then tell me about what happened?" Sheriff Thomas Barlow had to have this information so someone could notify the family. "I saw him just walking through that dense grove of trees over by Bear Creek.   All of a sudden he was running towards my cruiser; I could see a bear catching up to him. There was no way for me to stop the attack. I stopped the car and went running to the kid just as the bear took him down.  I fired several shots. Scared the hell out of me that I might hit the boy. But I got the bear.  It staggered off. We have to find it and have it checked for rabies." As the adrenaline rush ebbed the deputy surrendered to the Sheriff's pulling on her arm. "I think his name is Terry Anderson.  His parents live on the outskirts of town"  "Honey are you okay?" Elma had come over to the deputy and was gently brushing the hair from her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. How is he?" she said, batting Elma's hand away. "You got him here in time. He will be just fine. Now clean up before Doc gets a look at you." Elma pushed the deputy towards the stairs. "There is a clean uniform in your closet." The deputy started heading up the stairs, "Thanks Elma, I'll be down in a minute and then you're gonna tell me who those people are." Within a short period of time with the help provided by Brackett and Roy the child was sutured, cleaned and now resting comfortably. "You boys do good work," Metz commented as they cleaned up. "Come back into the kitchen.  Elma will watch the boy?" Roy, Brackett and the sheriff followed Metz into the kitchen. "Let me do proper introductions now that things have calmed down." Metz handed each man a cup of coffee. " Roy DeSoto, Dr. Brackett this is Sheriff Thomas Barlow.  Great guy.  Terrible poker player." "Oh very funny. Don't let him fool ya, I seem to remember a few times I beat you at a hand or two. So, gentlemen, enjoying your visit?" The sheriff sat down at the small kitchen table. The other men joined him. "Does this hap-" Roy could not finish his sentence when he notice the deputy coming into the room.  Her familiarity was just too strong to ignore. Dr. Metz, following Roy's eyes, stood up to introduce the deputy. "This is my daughter, Deputy Sheriff Sarah Gage." Taking his daughter by the arm, "This is Roy DeSoto and Dr. Brackett from LA. Roy here is a paramedic." "Doc, how's Terry?" Sarah said grabbing a cup of coffee and totally ignoring Roy and Brackett. "My daughter is normally not this rude. Terry is going to be fine." "Jeez, you would think I just walked in from a quiet afternoon stroll the way he is acting. Never mind I just rescued a boy from an attacking bear-which I had to shoot-drive about 70 miles an hour while a kid practically bled to death on my lap. Gosh Doc how was your day?" Roy could not help but stare at the girl. She was maybe twenty years old and she looked an awful like his Gage back home.  Even the way she moved reminded him of Johnny. Her features were definitely Native American. She was darker than Johnny was. Roy wondered if Dr. Brackett noticed any of this.  A moment later Roy made eye contact with Brackett and realized he too saw the resemblance.  But if she were Dr. Metz's daughter she didn't look anything like him or his wife. There was also, the matter of a different last name.  Mrs. Metz interrupted Roy's thoughts. "Are you alright? You look like you're a million miles away." "No ma'am, I'm fine. That's quite a daughter you got there." Roy stated hoping to find out more about Sarah Gage. Metz stirred his coffee and looked to his wife. "I wish we could take credit for it but Sarah's mom was an exceptional person. Raised that kid by herself in less than the perfect environment. We weren't sure if she would be the criminal element or fight the criminal element." "Hello, I am still in the room you know. Man, I wasn't all that bad.  A few wild moments and I'll hear about them the rest of my life." Sarah exited the kitchen. She wanted to check on Terry herself. "Roy, Sarah's mom was a midwife who helped out a lot around the clinic.  Maggie had great natural instincts when dealing with the sick or injured." Metz continued while looking solemnly into his coffee. " Maggie and Sarah lived far out even by reservation standards. One particularly brutal winter we had blizzard after blizzard, which kept everyone in their homes. Most homes around here have no electricity, phones or running water. At the time, Sarah was about thirteen years old. During one of the storms Maggie developed pneumonia. They had no way to get help. After several days the weather calmed down enough for Sarah to be able to ride to a neighbors. Unfortunately, Sarah's mom passed away. That girl sat alone with her dead mother for a day and a half.  I'll never forget the way she explained her mom's last days and how she opened the windows in the bedroom so her mom's body wouldn't 'go bad' before she could get help." "My god, that poor kid. But if she's your daughter…" Roy tried to ask a very difficult question. Metz knew what Roy was asking. "Sarah is not my blood daughter. Her mom had no family and since there wasn't a father, Elma and I took her in. Over the years we've just come to think of her as ours. I couldn't be any prouder if she was mine." Roy interest was piqued. Normally, Roy would never think of intruding into someone else's life but he needed to know about Sarah's last name.  "So, is Gage her Mom's name?" "No, Mr. DeSoto," Sarah replied entering the kitchen from the treatment room. "My 'father' was a horse breeder who blew through town one cold night. He got stuck here during a storm and well, the rest is history.  My Mom loved him and said I deserved his name so that's the story." The anger that could be heard in her voice resonated through the room, thus ending any further conversation. Seeing the lateness of the hour, Roy and Brackett were shown to the room they would be sharing in the Metz's home.  The room was small, clean and sparsely decorated. "Heck of a day, wasn't it Roy?" Roy stared out the window.  From it he could see Sarah Gage talking to some people on the street. She was very animated and when she laughed a crooked grin spread across her face. Turning back to face the doc, he spoke. "Doc did you notice that Sarah…." "Reminds me a lot about a certain paramedic doing time in my hospital. Roy, isn't John's dad a horse breeder or rancher in Montana?" Roy knew where this conversation was going and he was getting nervous. He was suddenly very happy Johnny wasn't able to join them.  "Yeah, he is. He used to travel a lot when Johnny was younger. Doc, how do I handle this? I mean she is so much like him. The way she looks, the mannerisms, and that damn grin. Do you know that is the first thing I noticed about John's dad when I first met him? That damm crooked grin is like a family trademark among Gages." Neither man bothered to close the door. Nor did they hear someone come up the stairs. Sarah just stood in the hall not meaning to eavesdrop but from what she heard she had to stay for the whole conversation. These men where talking about someone who reminded them of her. Not one to beat around the bush or wait to be included in things, she coughed to announce her presence. "Listen I don't normally have big ears, but …who are you talking about?" she asked stepping into the room.  Brackett and Roy exchanged worrisome looks. Brackett decided to take the lead. "We have a very good friend back home, John Gage. You and he look a lot alike, and his father is a horse breeder from Montana." Roy just watched the exchange between the two. The look on Sarah's face was unreadable. Well, that's certainly different from Johnny, thought Roy, I can always read Johnny's face. So quiet was Sarah's voice that Roy almost missed it. "Do you have a picture? Can I see it if you do?" Roy took out his wallet.  Several pictures of Johnny with his family were held there. Roy fished out the most current picture and handed it to Sarah.  She took it from him and stared at it. Slowly she turned toward the mirror on the dresser, looked at herself, then the picture and back again. "How old is he?" She asked of Roy's reflection in the mirror. "Johnny is twenty-six." Roy still couldn't read her expression. "Are his parents still alive?" Her voice was flat and quiet. "Yes both of his parents are still living." Her eyes never left the picture. "That bastard had a wife and kid when he blew into this town."  She sighed deeply and shook her head. " Well, like some of the guys say, guess he had an itch he needed scratched and my mom helped him with it." Throwing the picture on the floor she stormed out the door, down the stairs, and out the front door.  Hearing the commotion, Emma came out of the kitchen just in time to see Sarah shutting the door.  "What the hell do you think you are doing young LADY?" Elma yelled after Sarah. "Sheriden, that girl just flew out of here like she was on the warpath."  Elma saw Roy and Brackett coming down the stairs with regret on their faces.  "What the hell happened up there? What did you two do? Sarah doesn't get angry like that." Brackett asked the Doc and Elma to join him and Roy in the kitchen.   There he explained everything to them. Roy showed them the picture. Elma had tears in her eyes and laid her head on her husband's shoulder. "I've got to find her. This has always been a sensitive issue for her.  She has been teased and tormented by some lovely people in this town for not having a dad. I think she always just kind of figured he was dead instead of not wanting her." "That's not fair," Elma said. " Maggie never got the chance to tell...what's his name?" She asked of Roy. "Dean---Dean Gage" "… Dean that she was pregnant. He just never came back." Sarah realized after she got outside that she hadn't grabbed her coat.  "Damn, it's too cold to stay out here."  Reluctantly, she went back in after just a few minutes. No one realized that Sarah came back into the house and was eavesdropping again. "Okay," she told herself,  "time to be adult about all of this. I may have a brother out there.  Why not face this head on?  After all I'm a deputy sheriff.  Some example I would be setting, flying off the handle."  Standing tall and confident she entered the kitchen to find out more about her possible new family. Upon seeing Sarah enter the kitchen, Elma and Sheriden were at her side immediately. "Honey are you okay? Roy and Dr. Brackett explained everything." Elma inquired, rubbing Sarah's back. "Yeah, I'm fine. Can I see that picture again Roy?" Sarah took the picture from Roy. Elma, Sheriden and Sarah stood looking at the picture. Sheriden spoke first, "You favor him A LOT.  You're a little darker. But the eyes and smile cinch it. Looks like you have a brother," he slapped her on the back. "Yeah,'" Sarah answered. She looked up at Roy and asked,  "Would he want a sister?" Roy couldn't believe what transpired in such a short amount of time.  How would John react to all of this? How do you handle finding out that your dad had an affair and fathered a child? How would he tell John and John's dad?  This could be a real mess. There, stuck in the middle, was a young woman who wanted answers to questions of her own. "Not tonight. Tomorrow you two have a presentation to make. And you," Elma said pointing to Sarah, "need to think on how you want to handle this. So tomorrow you and I will talk this out. Sheriden, tell Sheriff Barlow Sarah won't be in tomorrow." Everyone went to their rooms for the night, but little sleep was had by all. When the sun rose the next morning, Sarah was already out of the house.  She needed time to think and be alone. Elma and the Doc were great, but she hated it when they wouldn't give her the space she needed to think things through for herself. Elma took on the role of her mother; problem was, Sarah didn't want to be mothered. Maggie, Sarah's Mom, let Sarah be her own person, never forcing ideas or constraints on her daughter.  Maggie's famous saying when it came to comments people would make regarding her child-raising abilities was, "Let the child be what the spirits want her to be." Consequently Sarah developed her own way of handling problems that would crop up, be it small or large. Sarah stood firm and true to her own convictions.  A prime example was becoming a deputy sheriff. The laughter and rude angry comments made by the white towns folk might have made anyone give up the idea of becoming a sheriff.  She stood her ground, however and at eighteen went to the police academy.  There, she was teased concerning her age, size, sex, and heritage. There wasn't an area of her life left untouched by big, bossy men with little brains.  Time and time again during the training she proved she could handle herself, whether it was the academics, physical training, or the handling of firearms. She graduated at the top of her class. Coming home from the academy and starting her job under the watchful eyes of people who would have loved to see her quit gave her even more resolve to succeed.  Though it was two years since that first day as a deputy and not a mistake made, she still had townsfolk circling like vultures waiting to take the 'bastard squaw down a peg.'  Now this whole situation with John and Dean Gage would soon be the gossip of the town.  Nothing stays quiet in a small town, especially if the information could be used to hurt someone who was not liked. Sarah arrived back home around nine that morning. Doc, Roy and Dr. Brackett were scheduled to give their presentation at ten. Doc wanted her to go, but decided to leave it up to Sarah, due to the events of the day before.  Sarah knew her presence would be a comfort for those who would not appreciate the 'white man coming to tell us what to do again.'   She went upstairs to get cleaned up. Sarah put on a T-shirt, jeans, and her work boots and headed back downstairs. As she walked into the kitchen she could tell Elma was eager to start their little talk by the way she stood by the table tapping her foot.  "So, you ready to tell me your thoughts about how you're going to handle all things you found out yesterday?" Elma inquired as she pulled a chair out for Sarah. Sarah walked right past the chair, not making eye contact with Elma.  She poured herself some coffee and stood looking out the window into the backyard.  She knew Elma would not let her off the hook but she really wanted to talk to Roy first. Roy called John his 'best friend' and indicated that he knew Dean Gage as well.  Before she could make a decision on how to proceed she wanted to find out if she should let these people in her life. "I'm going to the presentation. Billy Two Bears doesn't listen to white men, yet he has a lot of opinions people might listen to if someone is not there to set Billy straight.  After all I'm the one who started this whole ball rolling.  The council might still be sitting on their hands about paramedics if I didn't hound them every time someone was injured and didn't get the medical care needed in time." Elma shook her head. Was this child ever gonna make things easy?  Sarah had a legitimate explanation of her day's activities but she was hurting inside and needed to let it out. Elma walked over to Sarah and took her face in her hands, "That's all well and good, but we will talk when you get back."  Sarah closed her eyes and nodded.  Looking up again, "Can I borrow the car? It's too cold to ride all the way to the Council House." Sarah asked. "Of course you can, but don't get any speeding tickets!" Elma called after Sarah, seeing her take the keys from the counter. "Don't worry. I have a friend who can fix tickets," Sarah yelled back. Sarah drove to the Council House thinking about all the arguments she might have to use to sell her people on the idea. She was also thinking about who might be good candidates to take the training.  When she arrived, she quickly entered the building ready to battle the naysayers.  What she saw made her jaw drop.  Billy Two Bears had his hand on Roy's shoulder and was smiling. The other tribal elders were also gathered around Dr. Brackett and Roy. Doc saw Sarah come in, and went over to her. "Well my dear girl, it was a lot easier than we thought to get the council to go for a paramedic program."  Reaching up his hand to her chin he continued, "Close your mouth. It is very unbecoming." Sarah shot him a fierce look.  "Okay, I'm dumbfounded. How did those two," she pointed to Roy and Brackett, "pull this off?"  She was kind of angry that her help wasn't needed. "What's the matter?  You can't believe the Council doesn't know a good thing when they see it?" Doc knew he was baiting her but couldn't resist. "Of course the Council would do what's right, eventually. I just thought they would…it would have…try to explain…oh, hell just give me the treaty, I surrender!"  She took off her coat, tossed it on a nearby chair then threw her arms up in the air in exasperation. When Roy looked over his shoulder he saw Sarah tossing her coat and waving her arms. "This girl is just too much like Johnny," he thought to himself. "Hey, look who finally showed up," Billy said as he quickly came to Sarah's side.   "Thought you weren't going show. Maybe the big city white men scared away our Seheso."  Grabbing Sarah by the shoulders, he shook her gently.  "Bet you guys didn't know it was Seheso who got this whole plan to bring paramedics to the res." This whole encounter was uncomfortable for Sarah. She could tell DeSoto was watching her and thinking of his friend back home.  "Billy, could you please not shake me like some sort of rag doll." Sarah pulled herself from his grip. Billy could see the tension on her face and wondered what was wrong. Sometimes Billy went too far rough-housing with her but she never got angry, just even. "Roy, could I talk to you in the other room?" She raised her chin in the direction she wanted Roy to go.  Roy knew it wasn't the greatest time, but the urgency in her voice was also pleading.  He held out her hand for her to go first. Roy noticed her hesitation like she wasn't used to the gentlemanly manner of letting the lady go first. Sarah's head was tilted downward but her eyes kept going from the floor to Roy and back again. "Oh, please spirits, don't let me be making a mistake." Sarah hoped her prayer would be heard. The room she led Roy to was small and poorly lit. It contained a small couch and a side chair.   Sarah closed the door and asked Roy to sit down. Roy chose to sit on the couch and Sarah took the chair.  Sarah sat hunched over looking down and rubbing her hands together. Roy just watched her, giving her the time she needed to compose her thoughts. "I don't like the situation I'm about to put you in, Roy." She got up and began pacing the room. "I need to know more about John and his family before I can make some rather difficult decisions."  Sarah sat back down and looked deep into Roy's eyes. " I mean, no offense, but what if they're the kind of people I don't want to associate with? What if I totally screw up their lives by just showing up?   What if they don't want to associate with me?" Roy knew all of those things could happen, but in the long run he knew Johnny would love this girl. Roy knew he had to carefully choose his next words. He didn't want to make it sound like there would be no problems, but he didn't want to scare her off, either.  "I've known John Gage a long time. He is a loving and exceptional person. He has often put his life on the line to save others." Roy continued. "John's parents are the ones who instilled those values in John. Having met them myself, I can tell you they are devoted and strong people."  Roy just waited to see what her next question might be. "Roy, I've been keeping a little secret from Doc and Elma. The sheriff knows and isn't happy about something I've done, but he knows my decision is right for me.  Now, here you are from LA telling me my  'brother' lives in LA." She was pacing the room again and Roy had no clue what she was talking about. "I mean, come on, can anything go easily in my life?" Sarah's voice was getting louder and her body language screamed out her frustrations.   "Well, I guess this way is better that walking down some LA street and bumping into him, right?" "Sarah, I have no idea what you are talking about." Roy almost laughed out loud. How many times had he said that to Johnny?  "Come on, calm down. Explain to me what you are talking about." Sarah went and sat on the couch. Roy sat next to her. "I've gotten really frustrated with life on the rez.  My life consists mostly of picking up drunks, writing speeding tickets, and being spit on by teenage white boys who think I could be put to a better use, if you know what I mean. So, the sheriff often gets flyers from other departments about job openings.  Well, I applied to one of those job postings …Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."  She watched as Roy absorbed this information. Roy leaned back just staring at her. "Have, have you gotten a response?" He knew the answer but had to hear it out loud. "I got my acceptance the other day. I'm supposed to show up for orientation January 3rd." That was a little over a month from now. She thought about how Doc and Elma would react. Now she would also have to worry about John, and how he would react to her coming to his territory. "I could just see how this is going to affect your friend's life. 'Hey, you related to that new deputy?' 'Yep she's my bastard sister' wink, wink." Sarah was tapping her foot and wringing her hands. "Just when I think I'm taking a step in the right direction I take several steps back.  Dammit, why can't anything go easy for me!"  Tears pooled up in her dark eyes as she stood and tried to make a run for the door.  Roy was after her like a shot. Grabbing her by the back of her shirt and spinning around the two fell to the floor.  Billy Two Bears heard the commotion and quickly went to see what the problem was.  Billy opened the door and saw his good friend struggling on the floor with the white man from LA. "Get your filthy hands off of her!" Billy made easy work of pulling Roy up by the front of his shirt. Roy had no time to react as Billy was quick. "Big man think you can treat our women that way." Roy saw the fist coming closed his eyes and waited for the pain. Sarah quickly regained her composure and leapt to her feet.  "BILLY, NO!" She grabbed at the arm he drew back, getting ready to hit Roy.  "Billy, I tripped and he tried to stop my fall. The next thing we know we were both on the floor. Now calm down Billy." Billy looked back and forth between Roy and Sarah. Roy was slowly opening his eyes to see if Billy was listening to Sarah.  Roy didn't realize he was holding his breath until he started to see stars. "Come on, let the poor guy go.  Come on, let go."  Roy felt the grip ease up on his shirt.  "Billy thanks for the help but Roy here is a good guy. " Billy let go of Roy and stepped back. "Hey, I'm sorry, but it really did look like she needed my help. No hard feelings?"  Billy put his hand out for Roy to shake.  "Yeah, no problem. I guess it looked pretty bad."  Roy was practically overwhelmed by the strength of Billy's grip.  Billy pulled Roy into a bear hug and whispered in his ear. "No one hurts my Gagey. I didn't buy her story. So, if I was you I'd keep the hands off of her."  He then gave Roy a slap on the back.  Smiling, Billy turned to Sarah, "Yep, no hard feelings at all."  Dr. Brackett came over to Roy and asked what happened. "Just a misunderstanding," Roy said watching Two Bears exit the room. "I have a feeling that misunderstanding could have hurt a lot," Brackett said. Roy wanted to say something but thought it was best to keep his comments to himself. Sarah spoke next. "Billy kind of fancies himself my protector, though I am more than capable of keeping all kinds of wolves at a safe distance." Doc walked up behind Sarah and put his arm around her shoulder. "I hear Billy's been at it again."  He squeezed her shoulder and laughed. "Doc, it wasn't that funny from my point of view." Roy had a vision of being beaten to a pulp. Then trying to explain to Joanne and Johnny how and why he was beaten. Doc loudly slapped his hands together, making both Sarah and Roy jump. "Let's head back to town for a late lunch.  I'm sure Elma's got something great waiting for us." Doc and Brackett were getting their coats on and were about to head out the door.  "Hey Doc, Roy will ride back to town with me, okay?"  Sarah called out, handing Roy his coat. "Sure, no problem. See you at home."  Brackett and Doc waved as they left. "Hope you don't mind if I pick your brain about LA and stuff on the ride back?" Sarah questioned as she and Roy got their coats on. Roy didn't like talking about his friend without Johnny knowing what was going on. "Listen Sarah, John is my best friend and partner and, well, I don't feel comfortable talking about his private life until we straighten all this out."  He waited for her response, hoping she would settle for talking about paramedics, sheriffs, and LA. He wasn't being mean, just honest. Sarah realized she would have to be patient.  "That's fair." They exited the building and headed toward the car.  "But I'm gonna ask questions about your job and LA."  Sarah shot him a crooked grin and got into the car. Her smile and how it reminded him of his partner stopped Roy.  All Roy could do was blush and smile back at Sarah and climb into the car. The trip back to Doc's house was a pleasant one. Sarah kept the conversation light and laughed at some of the rescues Roy told her about. Sarah especially loved the one about Johnny rescuing the girl trapped in her girdle.  Arriving home, they found Elma indeed outdid herself. Lunch was roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots and peas.   After lunch, Roy and Brackett went to pack up, seeing as they would be leaving in the morning.  Sarah stayed to help Elma clean up and talk. "So, you had some time to talk to Roy. Did…" Sarah decided a head on assault was called for.  "Yes, I had a long talk with Roy. Yes, I'm going to ask him to talk to John about everything that has happened. And yes, if my father lets me, I want to be part of his family." Sarah never looked up from the dishes she was cleaning, but she knew Elma was smiling at her. Elma was overjoyed. If there ever was a person whose life deserved a happy ending, it was Sarah. Putting down the dishrag and leaning over the sink to look directly into Sarah's eyes, Elma said, " If that's what you want, I couldn't be happier for you. The Doc and I love you and will always be your family here."  Elma was about to cry when she continued.  "They would be the stupidest people on this earth not to want you to be part of their family. Gimme a hug."  Sarah suddenly realized Billy wasn't the only one who could give bear hugs.     When the kitchen was finally all cleaned up, Sarah headed upstairs to have a talk with Roy.  Sarah knocked on the door.   Dr. Brackett opened the door, "What can I do for you, Sarah?" Brackett had a good idea why she was there. Roy had told him about the conversations he had with her. "May I speak to Roy please?" Sarah spoke very softly and kicked at something on the floor. Roy heard her at the door and called out for her to come in. Dr. Brackett tried to excuse himself, but Roy explained to Sarah that Brackett was a good friend of Johnny's as well. Roy also explained that he discussed the situation with Brackett.  As Sarah absorbed this information, she shrugged her shoulders, entered the room and sat on one of the beds. "Roy, Dr. Brackett, I'd like it if you could advise me about approaching John Gage about our situation."  Roy and Brackett both went to sit on the other bed.   "If this is a terrible idea tell me now." She thought their silence was their answer.  " Thanks for your time.  Doc will drive you to the airport in the morning." She couldn't move fast enough to get out of the room.  "No…I mean yes.  Just sit back down please." Brackett called after her. Sarah's quick reaction reminded him of her newfound brother.  "We just don't know how to tell him.  Please relax. Roy and I think this would be great for you and Johnny. It's just the 'how' we have to work out."  She nodded and smiled at these two men she only knew for two days.  If her 'brother' was anything like his friends, this might work out after all. "After we're done packing why don't all of us, Doc and Elma also, meet in the kitchen and try to think of the best way to handle everything?  And I do mean everything!" Brackett had his hands on his hips, and was staring down at Sarah. Cocking her head to look at Roy, she said, "I see you've told him about my other problem." Roy sheepishly nodded. "I might just have to sleep at the station tonight when the Doc's done with me. Alright, see you in the kitchen in 30 minutes."  Actually, Sarah felt a little better knowing that everything would be out in the open very shortly. Also, that Roy and Brackett were going to help her. The next morning as Roy looked out the airplane window, he thought about last night's conversation. Yes, Doc and Elma were upset that Sarah did not tell them about her LA plans, but they knew she was bored with life in a small town. She wanted to be challenged and meet different people.  So, though they would miss her greatly, they gave her their blessing. The next hurdle was what to tell Johnny. Roy carried a small envelope in his carry-on luggage. Inside that envelope was a letter giving the details about the time in 1954 when a horse buyer came to the reservation and his name was Dean Gage.  Also in that envelope was a picture of Maggie, taken around that same time. The last item was Sarah's academy graduation picture. Roy would tell Joanne all the details of his trip, and together with Dr. Brackett they would have a talk with Johnny. Since he would still be convalescing they would meet at his ranch. The bump of the landing brought Roy back to the present. For better or worse, it was a plan. Part 3 Joanne waited in the terminal for Dr. Brackett and Roy.  Roy had only called her once and had seemed tense.  Seeing Roy coming down the concourse, she knew something was wrong. Roy wasn't smiling upon seeing her.   "Hey, big guy, how was the trip?"  Roy just looked at Brackett. "This trip was full of surprises." Roy replied putting down his luggage. "Come here, I really missed you." Pulling her close and kissing her.  Brackett just kind of started examining some chairs nearby while the DeSoto's occupied themselves.  "Hey, not that I'm not enjoying this little greeting but people are staring."  Joanne whispered in Roy's ear.  Roy suddenly became very self-conscience of what he was doing and released Joanne.  "You ready to go Dr. Brackett?" Roy said picking up his luggage. "Am I ready?" Brackett replied with a heavy dose of attitude. Picking up his luggage he walked off in a huff. But he enjoyed seeing one of his favorite couples still so much in love. The conversation during the ride to Dr. Brackett's home concerned what transpired during the meeting with the council.  Both Roy and Brackett seemed fine.  But Joanne could sense an underlying tension.  Joanne pulled into Brackett's apartment complex.  Roy helped the doctor with his luggage and told him he would call him later after his talk with Joanne. The trip to the DeSoto home was a quiet one. Roy stared out the passenger window, lost in thought.  "Roy, we're home. Hello, are you in there?" Joanne called as she pulled into their driveway. "Roy, did something happen on the trip? You seem very distracted. You're worrying me." Roy looked at his beautiful wife and thought about how hurt she would be if a 'Sarah Gage' ever suddenly appeared in his life.  "Yeah, something did happen that I have to talk to you about. After that I'm gonna call Johnny and see if we could visit him tonight." Roy didn't sound happy about talking to Johnny.  Normally, Roy would race to the phone after one of these trips to tell Johnny all about his adventure. "Well, now's the time to talk.  The kids are in school and we have the house to ourselves.  Although, there are better things we can do than talk when alone in the house." Joanne held the front door open for Roy since he was carrying the suitcases. "I'm sorry Jo. I really needed to get some things off my chest about this trip.  When you hear my story I think you'll agree that our good friend, John Gage, is going to need our support." Roy put his arm around Joanne's waist. "Come on. The food on the plane was terrible, and the coffee tasted like sludge.  How about I help you make lunch and I'll tell you everything?" Joanne nodded and accompanied her husband into the kitchen. Dishes with half eaten lunches littered the table. Joanne began losing her appetite as Roy related the events from the trip. "My God Roy, are you sure about all this?  I mean, what if you're wrong?" Roy rose from the table.  "Hang on. Let me show you something that will help you understand why I'm so sure about Sarah Gage."  Roy went to his carry on bag and retrieved the envelope. Coming back into the kitchen, he began looking for the one item that would convince Joanne.  "Here." Roy handed Joanne Sarah's graduation picture. Joanne took the picture from Roy.  Looking at the picture Joanne could not dismiss the resemblance this girl bore to Johnny right down to that damn crooked grin. "Oh, Roy.  She's got that same grin!  And the eyes… such deep brown eyes."  Joanne didn't know whether to be laughing or crying.  Even in what should have been a serious photograph Joanne could see the mischievous look in Sarah's eyes. The same look John always got when planning his next scheme.  "Roy, what about Sarah's mom? Surely she could be a help." Roy sat back down. He then pulled out the picture of Sarah's mom. Looking at it he quietly said, "No, Hon, she died when Sarah was thirteen.  Listen, let me tell you everything before we go any further, okay."  Joanne nodded and for once let the dirty dishes stay on the kitchen table while she and Roy went to the living room for their talk. When Roy was finished with the whole sordid tale, Joanne took the picture of Maggie in her hands.  " Kari is a strong woman, but to suddenly find out not only that your husband had an affair but there is a child.  I just don't know how Johnny's mom is going to handle this."  They met John's parents several times and really liked them.  Dean Gage, a full-blooded Lakota Sioux, married Kari when they both were only nineteen.  Kari and Dean endured many difficult years.  People were intolerant of a white woman marrying a 'a filthy Indian'.  Kari and Dean made a good life for themselves and their little boy on the reservation.  Kari respected the traditional Lakota ways and was always available to help her neighbors.  When John came along there were some that treated him badly because he was a "half-breed" but he was always surrounded by love at home.  "I'm gonna call Johnny, see how he's doing and ask if we could come over around six tonight, okay?" Roy rose from the couch and went to the phone.  He was not happy about having to call Johnny. He always looked forward to talking to his best friend even about mundane things.  Sighing deeply, Roy reached for the phone and dialed Johnny's number. "Roy, perk up or he's going to know something's wrong and he'll come racing over here." Joanne was now standing behind her husband, rubbing his back...an act showing her support for this difficult task. John was released from the hospital that morning with orders to take it easy.   His ribs were still very sore but Dr. Morton said he could go back to work next shift, which would be Friday.  Now Johnny's interpretation of taking it easy and a doctor's version never quite match.  He went out for groceries and taken care of his horses.  Finally, around three in the afternoon he sat down to 'take it easy'.  His eyes were starting to feel heavy when his phone rang. Seeing the time, he knew who was calling. "Hey Roy, how was the trip?" Johnny said when he picked up the phone. Roy couldn't help but laugh.  "Am I that predictable, that I don't even have to say hello for you to know who it is?"  Joanne was still standing by Roy giving him her support. Roy nodded to his wife and smiled.  "Well, I guess you're feeling better?  Taking it easy like the docs told you? I really don't want to have to do a shift with Brice."   Roy thought to himself, 'keep it light'. "Yeah, don't worry, I'll be there.  So, how was the trip?"  Johnny was getting a little impatient. Roy now had to invite himself to Johnny's home.  "How about I bring out Joanne's famous tuna noodle casserole for dinner and we can talk about it?" Food and conversation will get Johnny every time. "Hey, that's great! I'm starving for a good home-cooked meal after hospital food.  What time should I expect dinner-I mean what time you comin' over?"  Johnny giggled after catching his verbal mistake. Roy just shook his head with a smile on his face. "How does six sound?" "I gotta wait a whole three hours? I might just starve." Johnny was just having fun with his partner. Even with all Roy had on his mind, Johnny could still make him laugh.  "Well, unless you would like to just eat the ingredients separately, Joanne needs time to actually make the casserole." Johnny was smiling broadly at his partner's last comment.  "Okay, I think I'll survive 'til six.  See you then, bye." Hanging up the phone Roy turned toward Joanne.  " Sorry about the tuna noodle casserole.  I should have asked you first if you would mind making it on such short notice.  But I figured food would be a good way to visit and not seem to sneaky." "Roy, it's fine. Actually the casserole is one of the easiest dinners to make.  If you said lasagna then we would have a problem," she said firmly waving an angry fist in his face.  A soft smile came to her face as she continued.  "Go upstairs, unpack and get cleaned up.  Oh, call Dr. Brackett and let him know what time we'll be picking him up for our trip to Johnny's." Off Roy went to do all the things Joanne mentioned. A sober mood came over him as he began thinking of what he would be doing in a few hours.  Downstairs, Joanne waited until she heard the shower running before she called a neighbor to watch the kids while they were at Johnny's. With that done and the casserole in the oven, Joanne waited for her children to get off the bus.  She didn't have to wait long. The familiar roar of a school bus was coming down the street.  She opened the front door and greeted her children.  "Have a good day at school?"  Joanne said hugging each child. Joanne's mind wandered a moment, thinking about Sarah losing her mom and moments like these. Chris didn't understand why his mom seemed to be hugging him to death.  "Mom, I can't breathe."  "Oh, sorry, just missed you a lot today.  Daddy's home. He should be down it a little while.  Go into the kitchen and get yourselves a snack before starting your homework."  Joanne watched her two children race for the kitchen.  "NO RUNNING."  Going to the kitchen, Joanne helped Jennifer get the milk from the fridge.  "Daddy and I have to go out tonight, so eat and get your homework done before the sitter gets here." Chris couldn't believe his ears.  'Mom and Dad going out on a school night, wow.'  Something is not right. "Mom, where you and Dad going?"  Chris asked with a mouth full of food. "Christopher, do not talk with a mouth full of food." Joanne was not happy about the way some of Johnny's habits were influencing her son.  "Daddy just wants to visit Uncle Johnny and tell him about his trip." When Roy came into the kitchen Jennifer practically knocked him over as she ran to him.  Chris was also a happy to see his father and hugged him also.  "Dad, can we come with you to see Uncle Johnny?" Jennifer pleaded. "Sorry, honey, Johnny is still not feeling so great and needs his rest. But, maybe I can get him to come over for breakfast after our shift Saturday morning. Okay?"  Jennifer hugged her father and went to go do her homework. At five thirty the sitter arrived and Roy and Joanne left to get Brackett.  A short time later the threesome was on their way to Johnny's home. "John's going to wonder why I'm here, you know."  Brackett had a point.  Roy knew this could be a problem.  "We'll just say you wanted to check on him yourself." "I guess it is a minor point considering what we need to talk to him about."  Roy and Joanne nodded in agreement with Brackett's last comment. Hearing a car pull into his driveway, John carefully rose from the couch.  He couldn't believe he actually fell asleep.  Opening the front door he saw Roy, Joanne, and Brackett. 'Oh God, what's he doing here!' "Hey doc, what you doing here?" Johnny reached out and shook the doctor's hand. Dr. Brackett hadn't been to John's ranch before and was impressed.  "Well, thought I'd join Roy in telling you about the trip.  Also, see if you are following doctor's orders." John led the threesome into his home.  Joanne headed straight to the kitchen after kissing Johnny on the cheek. Johnny showed Brackett around his home.  By the time the tour was over Joanne had dinner on the table and they all sat down to eat. "Joanne, this really hit the spot.  Hospital food is torture."  Johnny said, shoveling in another mouthful. Brackett looked at Johnny and said, " Well, stop landing yourself in the hospital and you won't have to worry about the cuisine not being to your liking." Johnny and his guests laughed at Brackett's comments.   The group talked in general about the trip and who they met, making sure to leave Sarah's name out of the conversation. Joanne cleared the table as the men went to sit on the front porch. "You have a beautiful place here Johnny. It's so quiet and peaceful," Brackett observed from his chair on the porch. "When Roy's kids are here it's not so peaceful." Johnny said smiling, nudging Roy in the ribs.  Roy and Johnny were seated the porch swing. Roy knew the time was right to fill Johnny in on the other aspects of the trip.  Roy's voice was low and serious.  "John, we met someone on this trip who really surprised us." Roy looked to Brackett for support.  Brackett nodded to Roy. Johnny could hear the tension in Roy's voice and saw the look Brackett had given Roy.  "Don't tell me, you met a girl and you're leaving Joanne." Johnny quipped. "Well, this someone is a girl." Roy took a deep breath and steadied himself.  "Her name is ...Sarah Gage."  Roy looked back and forth between Brackett and Johnny. Johnny just absorbed what Roy said and tried to understand what Roy could be implying. Roy continued since Johnny was silent.  "Sarah Gage is twenty years old.  She is about 5'6 with very dark hair and eyes.  And she has this crooked grin when she smiles."  Roy waited for the explosive reaction he was sure was coming.  But it didn't happen. Johnny just stared at him. "Johnny, I saw her too.  Sarah resembles you a lot.  Too much for coincidence."  Brackett interjected.  Johnny now was staring at Brackett. Joanne stood behind the front screen door watching the conversation.  Johnny rose from the swing went to the porch railing.  His hands gripped the railing so tightly Roy and Brackett noticed his knuckles turning white. Roy went to Johnny and placed his hand on his friend's back. He could feel the tightening of the muscles. "Johnny, talk to me, please.  Believe me if there were any doubt…" Johnny spun around and shot a murderous look at Roy.  "You come to my house, sit, laugh, and eat with me, then, 'oh by the way'... WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? MY DAD HAD AN AFFAIR AND FATHERED THIS, THIS SARAH GAGE!" Both Roy and Brackett knew the answer.  "My God, that's what you think.  Roy you know my Dad. How could you even think this?" Johnny was pacing his porch holding his sore ribs. "Johnny sit down. There are some things I have to show you.  These things will help you understand…" Johnny didn't let Brackett finish his sentence. "No, get out." Joanne came out onto the porch and tried to calm Johnny down.  " Now Johnny, you know Roy wouldn't…" "I said out, all of you." Johnny looked at Joanne.  She couldn't believe the anger he was directing at her.  Joanne was actually scared of what he might do if they didn't leave. "John," Roy pleaded. "Here's some information you should have." Roy placed the envelope with the letter and the pictures of Sarah and her mom on the porch swing.  "We'll leave now. Please understand this was difficult for us also."  As Roy and Brackett headed off the porch Joanne tried the kiss Johnny good bye.  Johnny turned away from her at the last moment.  Roy felt horrible for his friend, but felt Johnny needed time alone with his thoughts. ### The ride home was quiet. They knew they did the best they could, but still they felt like they had failed Johnny. When Roy arrived at the station Friday morning, he hadn't talked to Johnny since the other night.  He tried calling, but Johnny never answered the phone.  As Roy changed into his uniform, Dwyer slapped him on the back.  "Well, looks like I'm gonna pull a couple of shifts with you. Should be fun." Roy had no clue what Dwyer was talking about.  Johnny was cleared to come back to work.  So, why wasn't he? "Yeah, sure."  Roy was not happy about not knowing what Johnny was up to.  "Did Johnny call you or the Cap?"  Dwyer changing his clothes replied, "Johnny told the Cap he had some kind of family emergency back home and needed to take some vacation time.  Hey Roy, you all right?  You look awfully pale." Roy sat on the bench and just looked straight ahead.  "I'm fine." "Okay, see ya at roll call."  Dwyer shut his locker, leaving Roy alone with his thoughts. 'Johnny must have opened the envelope and realized the truth for himself.  Now he's on his way to confront his father. Oh Johnny, I wish you called and let me know.  Please be all right. Roy ended his thoughts with a little prayer. God, let Johnny and his family get through this in one piece.'  With that, Roy left the locker room, called Joanne and filled her in on this new information. Johnny decided, after surrendering to his curiosity, to examine the contents of the envelope left behind.  Roy wasn't one to jump to conclusions or discuss gossip.  Also, if Roy felt this strongly about Sarah Gage, there had to be more to the story.  Now two days later he's on a flight home to Pine Ridge, Montana.  In his hands he holds the picture of Sarah Gage.  'Roy is right, man we look a lot alike, or should I say, 'we look like dear ol' Dad.'  John's anger at Sarah and then her mother slowly turned to anger at his father's betrayal of his mother.  Sarah's letter explaining the facts of her coming into being, was cold and unemotional, as was the part of the letter saying that her mother was dead. Johnny remembered the winter of '54.  It was a brutal winter and Kari, John's mom, was not happy that Dean was going to drive to South Dakota to look at some stock.  Then as days passed with no word from Dean Gage, a six-year-old Johnny could tell something was wrong.  However, a week later Dean Gage was home and spoke little of his trip to South Dakota.  Now Johnny knew why. When the plane landed, Johnny rented a car and drove to his parents' ranch.  They would have met him if he had called ahead, but Johnny didn't think he could talk on the phone without giving into his anger.  A few hours later he was pulling up the driveway of his parents' home, a place of warmth and love. Only now, he felt chilled to the bone at what he was about to do.  Stepping out of the car, he was suddenly greeted by a large mutt named Rocky. "Hey Rocky, how ya doin' boy?" Johnny rough-housed with the dog for a minute.  "Johnny?"  John turned around to see his mom coming out the front door to see why Rocky was barking. "What are you doing here," she said, "you're not hurt are you?"   Kari Gage gave John a hug.  Before Johnny could answer, his mother was yelling toward the barn.   "Dean, look who's here-Dean get out here! Your son's here." Dean Gage was mucking stalls when he heard his wife call out to him.  Upon hearing her mention that John was there he dropped the pitchfork and went to see his son. Grabbing his son and pulling him into a bear hug, "Damn, it's good to see you boy! To what do we owe the honor?" Dean said, releasing his son.  When he got a good look at his son's face he was shocked.  Johnny didn't look happy to see him, but angry.  Kari, standing behind Johnny, couldn't see the angry face.  "Gentleman, it is freezing out here. Come on inside, have some coffee and get warmed up."  Kari started pulling her son towards the house. "I, I gotta finish mucking the stalls." Dean stated, then looking at his son.  "Could be finished quicker if I had some help?" Johnny, not known for his patience and realizing he would be alone with his father, decided to help muck out more than just the stalls. "Sure, Dad. But Mom, have that coffee ready when were done, okay?  I'm not used to this weather anymore." Kari headed back into the house and Johnny followed his father into the barn. Johnny patted his pocket making sure the letter and photos were still there. "Remember how to use one of these?" Dean handed a pitchfork to Johnny. Johnny took it.  "Yeah, have several of my own back home." Dean was feeling put off by his sons cold demeanor.  Johnny was always an open and loving person, especially with his parents.  Dean could tell something weighed heavily on his son's shoulders. "Care to tell me why the unannounced visit? I mean, I love it that you're here but… "You won't like the reason for my visit."  Johnny just kept mucking the stalls. "Nothing could make me not want to see you.  Is something wrong back in California?  Are you hurt or sick? Come on here, you're scaring me." 'Give me strength,' thought Johnny.  "Nothing's wrong at home.  But something is wrong," Johnny looked into his father's eyes, "in South Dakota."  Johnny saw his father stiffen. Dean Gage felt muscles throughout his body tighten. "South Dakota, what does that have to do with you?" Johnny walked toward his father and put down the pitchfork.  He leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. "Roy and Dr. Brackett did a paramedic presentation at a reservation -Eagle Butte to be exact."  Johnny waited for his father to say something.  But his father remained silent.  "Didn't you go there when I was about six years old?"  Still nothing from his father so Johnny continued.  "You got stuck there because of the weather." 'Dear God he knows,' thought Dean. 'Roy must have met someone or 'her' and got to talking. One mistake in almost thirty years of marriage and now it comes out.' "Okay, where are you going with this? I can tell you know something about my time in Eagle Butte, so just get it all off your chest."  Dean stood ready for the verbal lashing he was about to get from his son. What neither father nor son knew was that Kari was bringing their coffee to them in the barn now. "You bastard, couldn't take the cold, and needed a little body heat.  So, you forgot your wife and your vows and had yourself a fling with some woman. A woman whom you only knew for what, a day?  She sounds like a real classy lady." Dean got right in his son's face. "Now you wait a damn minute. You know nothing about what happened.  That was almost twenty-one years ago.  You're right, I was a bastard.  I couldn't believe what I had done. I drove for days, too scared to come home.  Thinking Kari would see the guilt on my face and take you and leave me.  I never even went back to South Dakota after that."  Dean took a deep breath and continued.  "And as for the woman…" Johnny interrupted,  "Her name was Maggie." Dean Gage was stunned.  "Seems your information is accurate.  Maggie was young and alone, and yes, we let the heat of the moment take control of us.  And that is all it was. A moment." Johnny walked past his father, stopped and looked into the hayloft.  "Remember when you found me up there with Beth Rodgers? After you sent her home you said, 'Son, you're not ready to be a father yet so if you're going to be with a girl put a sock on it.'  Well, Dad you should have followed your own advice."  "Dean, what is Johnny talking about? Who is Maggie?"  Kari said coming around the barn door from where she had been listening to her husband and son. Dean and Johnny looked at Kari with surprise.  Johnny didn't want his mother finding out this way. "Out with it." Kari demanded.  "I could gather from what you said and your lack of denial," Kari looked first at Johnny then to Dean, "that you had an affair." Kari was now standing directly in front of her husband, poking him in the chest with her finger. "Kari, it was over before it began, a one night stand, that I've regretted ever since." Holding Kari by her arms Dean tried to explain away his infidelity.  "Honey, please, it was a one-time thing that has nothing to do with us now.  A stupid moment in thirty years of marriage shouldn't come between us.  Please!" Kari removed his hands from her arms. Looking down onto the floor she centered herself and collected her thoughts.   What he said was true; their marriage was a strong one.  But she was wounded to the core and could not just dismiss how hurt she felt.  Looking back up into her husband's desperate eyes. "I need time. This may have happened long ago for you, but its happening to me now."  Turning to face her son.  "Johnny, this could have been forgotten.   You could have let this be buried in the past instead of trying to hurt your father.  Why did you want to hurt him with this, why?" Johnny couldn't believe that his mom would think he was using this information to hurt his dad.  Even with all he found out he loved his father.  Maybe that's why this hurt him so bad. "Mom, Dad, there's more to this than what you already know."  Johnny lowered his head, unable to look at either parent. "Dad, your one night stand has a name, Sarah Gage. She's the one who told Roy about Maggie and you."  There, now everything was out. The barn was silent. Even the animals were quiet. Johnny looked up to see both his parents looking at him. Dean sat down on a nearby hay bale while Kari turned her back to both men and began to weep into her hands. Dean composed himself first.  "Have you met or talked with her, how can you be so sure she's mine?" Johnny reached into his coat pocket and took out the envelope. Walking over to where his father was seated, he held out the envelope for Dean to take.  "Roy and Dr. Brackett met her and talked to her for some time.  When they left, she gave them this envelope. There's a picture of Sarah and Maggie, as well as a letter Sarah wrote to me. Here, read it and look at the pictures, and there will be no doubt." Dean looked at the average letter size envelope Johnny was giving him.  'How could this whole mess fit into such a small envelope?' he thought.  Looking over to Kari, he saw she was facing him now.  "Would you please come over here? This something I think we should confront together or not at all." Johnny watched his mom, not knowing what she would do. Kari looked at her son.  Though she hated the idea of Dean having another child out there, how could she not allow him to know that child?  Over the years they were disappointed about not having any more children. They loved Johnny, but they always joked about starting their own 'tribe'.   Kari knew if she told Dean to not take the envelope he would respect her wishes. She could not deny him his child. Kari walked over, took the envelope from Johnny and sat down next to her husband.  "I can't say enough about how all of this hurts me.  But if this Sarah is your child, you've missed too many years of being her father." With that, Dean and Sarah opened the envelope.  Maggie's picture was the first item removed. "This is Maggie," Dean Gage said quietly to his wife. Johnny was now standing behind his parents, watching them look at the picture. "That was Maggie."  Johnny corrected his father.  "She died several years ago." Kari took out the picture of Sarah.  Kari placed her hand to the side of her face.  "My God.  I see what you meant, Johnny. There really couldn't be any doubt about who the father is."  With that Kari handed the picture to Dean.  Dean looked at the picture.  There was very little of Maggie in the girl's face, she was a Gage.  Dean felt his son's hand on his shoulder. Looking into Johnny's face he saw only support. "Johnny, is she a… the uniform?"   His mother said. "She is a deputy sheriff in Eagle Butte.  Roy said she is very highly thought off by the sheriff and the town doctor."  Dean looked back to Johnny. "You said her mom is dead. Who raised her? How old was she when her mom died?"  Moments ago he was willing to forget this child ever existed and now he was eager to find out every detail of her life. "All of that is in the letter." Johnny answered. "Why don't I finish in the barn and you two go in the house and read the letter?"  Johnny knew his parents needed some alone time.  Some parts of the letter might be very hard for his dad. Dean and Kari took their son's advice and went into the house.  Going into the living room, they made themselves comfortable on a couch and together they read the letter. 'I don't know who or if anyone will read this letter so, I'll just begin at what I know as the beginning: Maggie Wren spent a night with Dean Gage during the month of January 1954.  I was born on September 8th 1954.  My mom always told me she loved Dean Gage but he couldn't stay with her.  I think she just wanted me to think that I wasn't a mistake.  She also told me that he was Lakota.  Since mom was Cheyenne this made me full-blooded Indian.  This allowed me some leeway when dealing with tribe members.  So, long as I was full-blooded, the lack of having a father could be overlooked.   My childhood was normal. School and home life were typical rez living.  Mom was a midwife, so when not in school I watched a lot of babies being born.   When I was thirteen Mom died of complications brought on by pneumonia.  I couldn't get her any help because of the severe winter weather we were having.  So, when she died I opened the window in her bedroom slightly. The cold air filled the room.  I didn't know how long it would be before help would arrive and I didn't want her body to go 'bad'.   A day of so later the weather let up enough for me to ride to a neighbor's and get some help. After mom's burial, other tribe members were having a hard time feeding their own families, so I went to live with Dr. Sheridan and Elma Metz.  The Metzes are good people.  Mom really liked the Doc.  Elma always kept close tabs on me.  Made sure I did my schoolwork and tried to keep me on the straight and narrow.  Sometimes I caused a few problems for the Metzes, but overall I couldn't have been that bad.  They kept me after all.  Anyway they always referred to me as their daughter. So, some of the whites around town used to take great pleasure in reminding me I wasn't white but rather a "bastard prairie nigger".  But since you have had experience with reservation life this is probably not a surprise to you. I graduated high school and went to the police academy.  After training, I returned to Eagle Butte as a deputy sheriff.  Again, really annoying the whites around town. Well, that's me.  You can take it or leave it.  This will be the only communication I will have with you.  If you are interested in contacting me there's my address below.  If not, I can live with that too. I do not want you in my life if pity or guilt is involved.  Don't need it and don't want it. Sarah Gage Sheriff's Office Eagle Butte, SD Part 4 Kari Gage had tears in her eyes when she finished reading the letter.  The letter was cold. Kari wondered if this was the way that the author was protecting herself or her personality.  Kari could see that Dean was also deeply affected by the letter.  "Sarah seems to be a very cold person." He said.  "I don't know, Dean. Maybe she's trying to distance herself from possibly being hurt if none of this works out." Johnny came into the house after finishing the work in the barn.  Seeing his parents side by side on the couch in the living room, he hoped all this could be worked out.  "You've read the letter?" Johnny points to the paper on the coffee table. "Doesn't contain much information, huh?" Kari leaned forward to speak to her son. "You said Roy talked to her. What did he have to say?  What was she like?  Is she as cold as her letter?" "I didn't let Roy tell me anything. I got so angry about what he was trying to tell me, I …I kicked him outta my house and haven't talked to him since."  Johnny seemed embarrassed about how he treated Roy. "Oh John, I'm sure Roy must have felt terrible about having to talk to you about all this.  Maybe you should call him. Good friends like Roy aren't easy to find."  Kari rose from the couch and directed John to the phone.  "Come on, call him now."  After Johnny left the room she turned to her husband.  "I am still angry at you.  You will not share my bed again until I say so.  This child deserves her father and I will support you in whatever you do. But understand this: You betrayed a sacred trust and have hurt me more deeply than I thought anyone ever could."  Kari wanted to get out of the room before the tears she was holding back were too much for her to control.  She went into her bedroom and cried. Her tears weren't just for herself, but also for Sarah. When Johnny finished talking to Roy he felt better.  He had new insights about Sarah Gage and went to talk to his father.  Dean was setting up the spare bedroom for himself when Johnny walked in.  "Mom kick you out of your bedroom?" "I'll do anything I have to do to earn your Mom's trust again. If it means I stay in this room then here I'll stay until she's ready to take me back." Turning to face his son.  "I did a stupid thing and now it's time to pay the piper.  Problem is I hurt everyone I love the most in the world. Your Mom and you." The remorse in his voice softened Johnny's heart. "Dad, I can't say this doesn't hurt, but I'm sorry the way I treated you in the barn."  Father and son embraced. Once the bed was made Dean and Johnny went to the living room. Johnny told his father and mother about his conversation with Roy.  The family agreed that as a family they needed to contact Sarah.  Dean got some friends to take care of the ranch for a few days while they took a trip to Eagle Butte, South Dakota. It wasn't a long trip, only a few hours.  They debated calling ahead but decided on a face to face first meeting.  They got directions from Roy about how to locate Dr. Metz's home.  Sure enough, the main street was just as Roy described and they easily located the doctor's house.  "This is it."  The family exited the car and went to the front door.  Kari rang the bell. When Elma answered the door, she knew immediately who the men were.  "I don't think I have to ask this, but are you Dean and John Gage?" "Yes ma'am." Responded Dean and John together.  Dean finished with, "and this is my wife, Kari." "Please, come in, come in."  Elma waved them into the exam room. These people were polite and looked scared as hell.  "Let me take your coats and get you something to drink. The Doc's upstairs."  Elma hung up their coats and went to yell for her husband.  "Sheridan, we have company. Come on down." She yelled up the stairs.  She looked at the Gages who just stood quietly. Doc could be heard coming down the stairs. "Who's here?"  The Doc then saw the Gages.  " Holy mother of God, you came." He reached out his hand to Dean.  "Wow, she really does favor you."  Turning to shake John's hand next he said,  " This is going to be a hell of a surprise."  Finally, he shook Kari's hand.  "This has to be rough on all of you." Kari spoke first.  "Yes, doctor the last few day have been very difficult.  I hope we didn't make a mistake just coming here like this." Elma and the Doc looked at each other. Elma laughed.  "Well, let me tell you, Sarah's always loved surprises.  This might be the best one yet." Doc was laughing too.  "Let me see if she's at the station. You," he said pointing to the Gages,  "go into the kitchen and get some coffee. I should be back in a minute."  With that, Metz left to get Sarah.  At the sheriff's station, Sarah was just finishing her shift and was tired.  All she wanted to do was go home, eat, and go to bed.  She saw the Doc talking to the Sheriff and didn't think anything of it 'til they both came to her desk. "Hey, isn't your shift about over? Come on, I'll walk you home." Metz pulled her chair out. Sarah became immediately suspicious of the doctor. "Okay, what are you up to?  I'm not in the mood for any jokes today." "Just trust me. I have nothing but your best interests at heart." Metz said laying his hand on his heart. 'This can't be good.' She thought.  "Let me get my coat."  Putting her coat on she followed him out of the station and home.  Once inside the home she could hear voices coming from the kitchen. Sarah hung up her coat and then waited for the Doc to hang up his. "Well, now what?" Sarah was just too tired for games. "Go in the kitchen." Metz turned her toward the kitchen and gave her a push. Looking over her shoulder as she entered the kitchen, she missed the initial looks of disbelief on the faces of the Gages. "Hey, don't push. Remember I'm armed."  Sarah joked looking over her shoulder at the Doc. Turning her head she saw the three strangers.  But they weren't strangers.  By the looks of things they had to be family. Despite the Doc's best efforts, he could not force her further into the kitchen.   Her feet seemed rooted to the floor.  Sarah looked at each one of the strangers, then to Elma.  Realizing her mouth was hanging open she quickly shut it.   Dean Gage knew he needed to make the first move.  Never loosing eye contact with Sarah, he rose from his chair, moved around the table and stood directly in front of her. "I'm Dean Gage." Sarah straightened her stance and put out her hand.  "How do you do, sir?"  Her voice was deep and strong. "I can't do this." Dean said.  Sarah's jaw tightened at the comment.  Suddenly she was being hugged for all she was worth.  Releasing her from the hug Dean kept his hands on her shoulders. "In our family handshakes just don't cut it." Sarah looked over Dean's shoulders. The woman and young man were smiling at her. Kari and Johnny came around the table and gave her hugs also as they introduced themselves.  Sarah hadn't said a word and Elma noticed Sarah hadn't hugged them.  Elma could read Sarah like a book.  Sarah's stance and demeanor were hard and distant.  Sarah was not happy with this surprise.  "Sarah, honey, the Gages drove down from Montana. They were that eager to meet you.  Maybe you should say something."  Elma's urgings fell on deaf ears. Sarah didn't know how to react to the situation. An armed robbery would be easier to deal with than this, Sarah thought.  Turning to Elma, Sarah found her voice.  "I'm gonna go change." Looking over to the Gages, " Are you staying the night? 'Cause if you are I need to make up the spare rooms." Elma was getting angry.  She knew Sarah wanted this meeting and now Sarah was being rude.  "Sarah, these people came a long way, of course they're staying.  I'll go make up the rooms.  YOU STAY." "NO." With that Sarah left the room and went upstairs. Elma was shocked.  "I'm sorry. She really wanted this.  Believe me, over the last several days we talked at length about what she should do and say if you expressed interest in a meeting like this." Dean Gage was still standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "She has every right to behave that way."  Dean spoke to Dr. Metz. "Would it be okay if I went up to talk to her?"  Metz nodded and moved out of the way so Dean could go. Upstairs, Sarah stood in her room staring at nothing.  Dean stood in her doorway watching her.  He coughed to announce his presence. "I'm here for you." Those simple words stabbed at her heart.  There were stronger than 'l love you'.   'How could he mean that? He just met me or rather saw me!' Without turning to look at him Sarah asked, "Did you care at all about my mom or was she just an easy mark?" Dean chose his words carefully.  " Your mom was kind and generous to a stranger who knocked on her door during a snowstorm.  In the few hours we were together I felt warmth and love.  But in the morning the memories of my wife and son made me realize what a tremendous mistake I made.  Your mom didn't know I was married." "If you had found out about me…." "I would have been part of your life then as much as I want to be part of it now." Dean crossed the room.  Sarah turned to face him.  Her face was betraying her strong stance. Dean took her hand in his.  "I remember when I found out Kari was pregnant with John, I loved that child before he was even born.  Well, the other day when I found out about you I had the same feelings." His other hand was now cupping her face. Sarah looked into his eyes and knew he meant every word. Finally, she hugged him. Part 5 Sarah and Dean returned to the kitchen and it was obvious to all they had made peace.  There was a long way to go, but she knew he would be there for her. "SARAH, SARAH," another deputy was shouting as he came into the room.  "Sorry Doc.  Sarah, we've got a huge brawl goin' on at the Red Moon.  Come on!"  Sarah ran from the house with the deputy. Kari looked at the Metzes.  "What is the Red Moon?" "It's a very nasty bar on the other side of town.  For them to call in off-duty officers it must be bad."  Elma hated knowing what Sarah was about to walk into.  Looking at the Gages she continued. "Don't worry, that girl can handle herself."  Turning to the Doc, "We better get set up for our soon-to-be customers.  Johnny, can you lend a hand?" "Sure, what do want me to do?"  Johnny rose and followed Elma and the doc into the exam room. Within a few minutes a commotion could be heard from the sheriff's office.  Several bar patrons were handcuffed and being led into the station.  The Gages and the Metzes watched from the front porch. A pickup with another group arrived and they could see that Sarah was with this group.  John could see blood on her face but couldn't tell if it was hers.  He watched as she dragged one man from the truck and then directed him to the clinic.  The man had to be 6'4 and 240 lbs.  His hands were cuffed but he still put up a struggle. Johnny was amazed at how Sarah handled the thug. 'He's twice her size, Vince might not be able to handle him.'  "This one could use some medical attention." Sarah said as she pushed him through the clinic front doors.  "Watch him, he's still got a lot of fight in him." The man went to the exam room.  He seemed to settle down when he realized he wasn't at the police station.  Seeing only a female deputy he thought he could handle her and get away.  The man began moaning and complaining about pains in his stomach.  "Doc I'm dying here.  ARG, cough, cough.  The pain …it's…. Killing…me," he rasped out.  "Sarah, get the cuffs off now." Doc ordered. "No." "What? Sarah this man is in trouble.  Get those cuffs off." Sarah didn't believe the man was badly injured.  "Doc, I'm telling you it's a put on. The whole ride in he was trouble."  The man was moaning louder now.  'This little squaw ain't stopping me,' thought the man.  "Doc, please.  My…. My insides…are burning…please." "Sarah, the cuffs now.  I am not saying it again."  The Gages except for John stood back.  Johnny was close to the exam table to help Dr. Metz.  Sarah was not happy, but internal injuries could flare up and maybe she had read this guy wrong. Taking a deep breath,  "Listen, you make a move and I will bring you down."  She patted her side arm." Going around to the back of the suspect, Sarah removed one cuff. The man dived at Elma, an attempt to get a hostage.  Elma screamed.  Dean pulled Kari behind him.   Johnny was about to help Elma when the man screamed. "I don't think so."  Sarah had the man by his hair and was pointing her gun at his temple.  "Move again and you won't have to worry about the pain in your belly."  Sarah's voice was low, steady and deadly serious.  She replaced the handcuffs.  "Doc, you want to check him out, do it at the station."  With that Sarah left with the man. "Elma, you okay?"  Doc was hugging his wife as she cried. "I'm okay, just scared." Turning toward the Gages.  "Are you all right?" "Yeah, but it is a little disturbing to watch Sarah like that."  Dean said.   Dean couldn't believe how cold Sarah had been.  Seeing her holding a gun to a man's head was shocking. Elma knew what Dean, Kari and Johnny were feeling.  "She's very good at her job.  Sarah understands all aspects of that job as well.  If that man gave her no other choice than pulling that trigger, she would have done it." 'My God, she would've pulled the trigger.' Dean thought looking at nothing. 'Johnny could never do something like that.'  The Doc, Elma, and Johnny went to the station and bandaged a few of the prisoners.  But there were no serious injuries.  Johnny watched as Sarah fingerprinted and photographed various prisoners.  He couldn't imagine ever holding a gun on someone, yet she seemed to do it with ease.  Johnny thought back to the time when he had to wrestle the gun from Vince.  'I couldn't even hold the thing, I just threw onto the squad.  Or when that lady cop expected me to hold the gun on her prisoner, it turned my stomach.' "I'm done here. Let's go back to the clinic for something to eat."  Sarah said to Johnny. "Hey, have Doc check your face.  That guy got you good."  The sheriff yelled at her as she left the building. Johnny stopped and turned to Sarah.  Sure enough that was her blood on her face. A large bruise was forming above her left eyebrow extending beyond her hairline.  The blood was coming from the scalp.  "He's right.  That looks pretty bad.  The Doc needs to check you over." "Playing at being big brother, are we?"  Although she hated being fussed over, Sarah kinda liked it. Johnny smiled.  "I'm not playing. I am your big brother. Let's go." 'Man I'm someone's big brother.  This might take sometime to get use to,' he thought. Sarah felt his arm go around her shoulder and stiffened. Looking at him she could see he genuinely cared.  As she relaxed, she felt kind of dizzy.  "Hey Doc, got a patient for ya."  All heads turned and saw Johnny leading Sarah into the exam room. "Hey, I'm fine. I've been hit harder than this before."  She pushed Johnny's hand off her shoulder and tried to escape.  Two steps and she felt herself waiver.  The others noticed and were immediately at her side.  "Up on the table."  Doc ordered.  Johnny scooped her up and placed her on the table. "Hey , I could get on the table myself. This is ridiculous, I'm fine."  She said trying to sit up.  Dean and Kari were by Sarah's side.  "You let the Doc take care of you.  We don't want anything to happen to our little girl."  Kari said gently stroking Sarah's hair.  Dean wrapped his arms around Kari's waist and nodded to Sarah.  Johnny saw his parents forget their troubles and be there for Sarah, just like they always did for him. "You don't need stitches, but you probably have a slight concussion, so up to bed with you."  Doc helped her sit up. "Just let me get some dinner first, okay? If I feel dizzy or anything then I'll go up."  Sarah used her best little girl voice. "I bring you your dinner…in bed. Now go." Elma said.  As Sarah climbed off the table she stumbled slightly. "So, you did get hit harder than you let on.  What, wanted to get out of working your last few shifts?" Sheriff Barlow had come in to see how his young deputy was doing. "Last few shifts.  Are you quitting?"   Johnny asked Sarah.  She didn't seem like she was leaving her job. "She's heading down to your neck of the woods," the sheriff said pointing to Johnny.  "Yep, this little lady is going to be a LA county deputy sheriff in about a month." Sarah realized by the look on John's face that Roy hadn't told him that part of her story.   "I applied for the job before all this," she waved at each Gage,  "happened.  I'm not trying to crowd you."  Sarah was looking at Johnny.  "I got bored with drunks and speeding tickets, LA offered me a lot more opportunities." Johnny stood staring at her and Sarah continued speaking.  "Look, I'll make sure I'm nowhere near you down there.  No one has to know…" Sarah suddenly was dizzy again and brought her hand to her face and rubbed her forehead.  Johnny was there in an instant putting his arm around her waist, supporting her. Speaking quietly to her, he led her upstairs.  "Come on.  You need to rest." "No, I want you to understand I will not interfere with your life." "I don't remember saying anything about not wanting you to interfere in my life.  It could be interesting having a little sister around." Though the idea of having her around was intriguing, it meant everyone would know about his father's indiscretion. No matter how much his family accepted her, how would he introduce her to his friends? "Keep calling me 'little' sister and I'll put my 'little' hands around your neck."  Sarah said, jabbing a finger into Johnny's chest. When she looked into Johnny's face he looked pensive. 'Uh oh, what I'd do? What did I say? She thought. 'Oh god his friends will know about his Dad's-our Dad's 'little fling'.'  With that thought, Sarah went upstairs and tried to rest..  Elma made soup and sandwiches for everyone.  Dean and Kari looked in on Sarah before heading off to bed.  Seeing that she was still awake they asked if they could come in. "How are you feeling? Not dizzy or anything?" Dean Gage inquired.  He tried to touch the top of her head, like he'd done a million times to a young Johnny, but she swatted his hand away. Dean looked to his wife for support.  Turning back to Sarah with a downcast expression he said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn'ta done that." Sarah immediately regretted swatting his hand away.  He was just being a 'dad'. "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm tired. We'll talk in the morning okay?" She rolled over onto her side facing away from the Gages.  Dean and Kari turned and walked to the door. Kari looked back over her shoulder and took another look at Sarah and shut the door. Whispering she said, "she looks like a little girl.  I'm still having problems with what you did so long ago, but I think I'm gonna like having her around."  Kari kissed Dean on the cheek and they went to bed.  When they reached their room Dean sat on the bed.  Kari began getting ready for bed. Kari sensed her husband's frustration about how to deal with Sarah. " Honey give her time.  She's been through a lot. Not just recently but her whole life."  Kari sat next to her husband and rubbed his back. Dean's voice was angry when next he spoke. " Yea, no father, a dead mother,-- you know how people in Pine Ridge would've treated her-like dirt.  So you know they probably treated her the same way here." Dean got up and turned to face his wife.  " Why didn't Maggie find me?  We could've been there for both of them.  Instead that poor kid grew up …" Kari interrupted him.  "Dean she is all grown up.  There's no going back. We've got to deal with who she is, not what she might have been."  Kari now stood close to her husband and took his face in her hands.  "Take pleasure in knowing that despite the problems she is a strong person who will make a fine addition to our family."  Kari placed a gentle kiss on her husband's lips.  "Now let's go to bed.  Together." continue