Sins of our Fathers continued Johnny was spending a quiet evening at home, catching up on some paperwork. He heard a soft knock on his door. He got up to answer it and was shocked to see JoAnne standing there. "JoAnne, come in." He walked her into his apartment. He started to straighten out the clutter on his coffee table. "Sit down. Can I get ya something to drink?" "No Johnny." "How's Randi doing?" "She's doing so much better. It's amazing. And it's all because of you, Johnny." "Come on JoAnne, you know I'd do anything for you." "You can say that again." JoAnne slightly smiled. It took Johnny a minute to realize that JoAnne was making a joke referring to the night they spent together. He blushed. "I bet you're wondering why I'm here. I've had plenty of time to think about what happened. I need to talk to you about those days you were in Roy's body," she paused. "Looking back, I remember you stayed away from me and sleeping downstairs. I remember you kept away from me and I guess it was because you were attracted to me. Am I right?" Johnny didn't respond. "Is that why you slept in the chair?" Johnny smiled. "Then, the night before your accident, you crawled into bed late. I guess you hoped I would be asleep. But I wasn't and we made love. At first you were so hesitant, but I guess instincts took over." JoAnne paused. Johnny didn't want to say anything. He knew she had to say her piece if they were ever going to resolve their problem. He leaned his head against his arms that were propped up on his legs. "I also know I wouldn't have believed either one of you, if you told me about the switch. And I also know I wouldn't have let "you" sleep over. Were you still in Roy's body when the beam hit?" Johnny nodded his head yes. "Did the accident occur because you were tired, Johnny?" "No JoAnne, definitely not." Johnny said softly. "Is it true, you pushed Roy out of the way so he wouldn't get hit?" Johnny just smiled. "So when "you" were comforting me, it was Roy?" JoAnne asked. "Yup." "You/He were so comforting. And I was telling "you/him" how I never wanted Roy to see me so upset about his getting injured. And there he was listening to all my fears. I bet he wanted to hug me, but all he did was rub my back. I can't believe I told him all of my fears." JoAnne closed her eyes and continued speaking, "I also remembered how many hours you let "Johnny" stay at the house during those days. You both helped Chris with his homework. I recall you spent many hours outside working on the house. I bet you were scared of me." JoAnne opened her eyes and looked at Johnny then continued. "How difficult those days must have been for Roy and how you tried to make it easy for him. Boy, he must have fumed every time I kissed you." JoAnne moved closer to Johnny and put her hand on his face. He blushed. "What I'm going to say now Johnny stays between you and me. Okay?" Softly, Johnny said, "yes." "Johnny, that night was very special to me. Not only was I given the gift of life, I saw a side of you that, I would never, ever expect to experience. I guess you also saw a side of me that only Roy has privy to. It's the deception, Johnny, which upsets me. Both you and Roy lied to me." JoAnne paused before continuing. She had to get herself in control, fearing the wrong thing would be said and she'd confess to her fantasy. "I know now, your intentions were honorable. If it was any other person than you, Johnny…" JoAnne's voice trailed off. Looking into Johnny's brown eyes, Joanne continued, "Johnny, I'm going to forgive you and Roy. You can come over and visit with Randi, when she's home. I want you to continue to be a part of our lives." JoAnne stood up and looked around. She continued speaking, "But I want Roy to worry about me tonight. Can I stay here?" Johnny gulped. He didn't expect to hear any of this from JoAnne. "Of course you can JoAnne. You can stay in my bedroom and I'll stay here on the couch." Is that okay with you? Will you behave, Johnny?" JoAnne asked sarcastically. "JoAnne, boy's scout honor. I will be on my best behavior." He gave JoAnne a Boy Scout salute. "John Gage, you were never a boy scout." Both laughed. *** JoAnne woke up and saw Johnny sleeping at the far end of his bed. He was still wearing his shirt and jeans and his left arm was covering his eyes. She smiled. She looked at her watch and saw it was 6:00am. She decided it was time to go home. She knew Roy would have his hands full with all four children. She got up from his bed and walked to the kitchen. She saw some note paper and decided to leave Johnny a message. When she was satisfied with what she wrote, she left it under a mug on table. She walked to the door, looked around once more and left quietly. *** When JoAnne got home, the house was in a panic, just as she figured it would be. She smelled burnt toast. She heard a baby crying and figured it was Kevin. He was more fidgety in the morning than his sister. "Mommy? Where were you last night?" Jennifer asked. Roy, with dark circles under his eyes and covered in baby cereal, came out from the kitchen when he heard the door close. Kevin was in one arm fussing. Roy didn't want to say anything in front of the kids, so he waited to hear what his wife had to say. "Jennifer, you know your father and I have been quarrelling. I stayed with a friend last night, so I could think about some things." "Are you okay mommy? You look tired." Jennifer asked. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm fine. Now, go get your brother, or you'll be late for the school bus." Jenny ran upstairs and called for Chris. The two came downstairs. JoAnne didn't approve of what her children were wearing, but didn't have enough time to ask them to change. "I'm gonna cook a special dinner tonight!" JoAnne said. "What's the occasion, Mom?" Chris asked. "No reason, Chris. I just want to. Now be good in school. And it would be too much to ask you to be nice to your sister?" JoAnne smoothed out the hair on Chris' head. He just hung his head while she did that. "Now you better go." She gave them both a kiss. Chris and Jenny left the house to await the bus to school. "I'll take him from you, Roy." JoAnne said as she moved to her baby son. Kevin, seeing his mother, reached out to her. He stopped crying when she started to speak to him. "Where's Randi, Roy?" "She's um, in the kitchen, probably making a mess with the cereal." Roy, JoAnne and Kevin went to the kitchen. Randi was indeed playing with her food, with most of it landing on the floor. When Randi saw JoAnne she smiled with a slightly crooked grin. JoAnne just started to laugh. After an hour or so, JoAnne was able to return her kitchen to some sense of normalcy. Roy helped clean up the mess the twins made. JoAnne decided she needed some more coffee so she made a fresh pot. "Care to join me for a cup, Roy?" "Yes, JoAnne, I'd like that very much." She poured a cup and mixed in milk and sugar for Roy. They both sat down at their kitchen table. The twins were in their playpen, keeping themselves amused. "I hope I didn't cause you too many problems last night." "JoAnne, I can handle the kids. I was so worried about you. I was up all night. I called everyone we know and no one knew where you were. Thank G-d you're okay. I thought the worse. Oh JoAnne...," Roy trailed off. JoAnne could tell how much love Roy had for her. In her attempt to worry her husband, she didn't think about how we would take her absence. "I know, Roy, but it was something I had to do. I needed the time away so I can figure out this whole mess." "And what did you figure out?" "I've come to the conclusion that I love all the men in my life. I love them each in different ways. I love Chris and Kevin because they're my sons." She paused. Roy took another sip of coffee. He needed to know what JoAnne was thinking. "Roy, we took an oath to be honest with each other. I've had time to think about what happened when the switch took place. I know now you and Johnny had no choice. I just wish you would have clued me in." JoAnne got up and poured another cup of coffee. Roy watched her every move. She sat down and continued. "I also promised to tell the truth and I haven't lived up to that, Roy." Roy's eyes widened fearing what was going to be said next. "Roy, the day Johnny was injured, in your body, you comforted me. I told "you" things that I should never have told you. When you entered the Fire Department, I agreed with your choice, knowing all the risks. I don't like that you put yourself on the line every day. But I should never have told "you" how I feel. I don't want you worrying about my feelings every time you fight a fire." Roy started to say something, but JoAnne raised her hand. "I can look back and see how hard it must have been for you. Every time I kissed Johnny must have made you a bit angry. But he really stayed away from me, for the most part. And it must have been difficult for you in his apartment. You are so used to having people around, whether you're home or at the station. Maybe the first night was enjoyable, but after that, I can see you getting lonely. I'm not saying I forgive you for your wrongdoing, Roy. I just understand it." "Where were you last night, JoAnne?" Roy candidly asked. JoAnne looked into her husband's blue eyes. She reached to hold his hands. "I stayed the night with Johnny." Roy wanted to yell. He wanted to scream, but he knew he had this coming to him. He removed his hands from under hers. Roy didn't know what to say. He pulled back away from his wife. Anger began to enter his eyes from the words she just uttered. He wondered if maybe…. No he wouldn't complete his thought. Would JoAnne sleep with his best friend to get even? It appeared JoAnne wanted to see how Roy would react to her statement. She saw the emotion on his face and knew she hit a nerve. JoAnne continued. "I went to Johnny to tell him that I forgive him. I also wanted to tell him why he was forgiven. But I also wanted to hurt you, Roy. That's why I stayed there. I wanted to see the insecurity in your eyes when I told you. I wanted you to get a glimpse of the hurt I felt, that I still feel." "As far as the sleeping arrangements, Johnny slept on the couch." JoAnne stated. Roy put his hands back on the table. JoAnne reached for them. "Roy DeSoto, we said for better and for worse. I love you. And I know you love me. Maybe it was those Gage hormones that made you do what you did. Maybe it was those Gage hormones that made him do what he did. But it's the past. I just want us to be a family again. I want you to be my husband again." Roy didn't say anything. JoAnne stood up and went over to Roy. He stood up to meet her. She put her arms around his waist. They hugged and then kissed. She took his hand and walked into the living room. JoAnne saw the twins napping. She smiled and looked at Roy. He smiled back to his wife. It was the first time he smiled in a long time. JoAnne led Roy upstairs to their bedroom and closed the door behind her. *** Things quickly returned to normal. Roy and John remained partners and returned to their regular duties at the station. Randi was healing and JoAnne allowed Roy to move back upstairs. *** The klaxons went off. Station 51. Structure Fire 135 Cedar Street. 135 Cedar Street. Timeout 13.05 The men of Station 51 ran to their vehicles. Roy directed the Squad towards the fire with Mike, in the Ward LaFrance, following. They pulled up to a vacant house that was completely engulfed. Roy and John took their equipment out from the Squad and put their SCBA gear on. Once done, they met Captain Stanley for their instructions. "Roy, you and John take an inch and a half and work the south side. Lopez, Kelly, take an inch and a half and work the front." Talking into his handi talkie, the Captain continued, "LA, we have a vacant house fully involved. Dispatch another engine company to our location." "Station 51." Roy and John pulled the hose to the side of the house. Using his helmet, Johnny broke the window. He thought he saw a body on the floor. "Hey Roy, I think someone's in there." He pointed. He continued to clear the glass and confirmed there was a body in there. Roy got on the handi talkie. "Station 51, this is Squad 51. Cap, we got a body in here. Johnny and I are gonna go inside." "10-4 Squad 51." Johnny went in first and was followed by Roy. They went over to what they thought was a body, only to discover it was a clothed mannequin. Both men cursed. Johnny said, "let's get out of here!" The two men went back to the window when a blast occurred which knocked both men down. Johnny was the first to come to his senses. He checked himself for injuries. "Hey Roy? Roy?!" His partner didn't answer. Johnny tried to get up, but found his left leg was injured. He looked around some more and saw Roy, covered with debris. Johnny crawled over to his fallen partner. When he got there, he saw a beam lying across Roy's stomach. Johnny took his mask off and wiped his brow with his arm. "Come on Roy, speak to me." Roy started to come around, but was have difficulty breathing. Johnny took Roy's mask off. "Oh shit." Johnny saw blood coming out from Roy's mouth. He realized Roy was seriously injured. He found the handi talkie. "Engine 51 this is Squad 51. I've got a code I. I need help in here NOW!" "Okay Squad 51. Hang in there, pal, we're on our way." "Roy, where does it hurt, come on, tell me!" Johnny said anxiously. As blood dripped out from Roy's mouth, he tried to speak. "Tell Jo I love her. Tell her I'm sorry." Roy raised his hand to find Johnny. "Roy don't you do this to me. You're not going anywhere. You're not getting out of this life so easily." Johnny said holding back his tears. He knew, from all his years of training, Roy was fatally injured. "Johnny?" "Yeah Roy?" Johnny grabbed Roy's hand. "Take care of my family for me. They're almost yours anyway." Roy said with a chuckle. He coughed and then closed his eyes. The grip Roy had on Johnny's hand relaxed. "Roy! Roy! ROY!" Johnny felt for a pulse and didn't find any. Where was the damn help? But he knew in his heart it was too late. He screamed. "Noooooooooooooooo." He passed out. *** "Johnny wake up. Come on now, wake up." Johnny opened his eyes. Someone was rubbing his sternum. He heard Dixie speaking to him. He opened his eyes, looked around and saw he was in Rampart. "How are you feeling, Johnny? You had us pretty scared." Dixie said. Johnny tried to find his voice, but it was sore. All he could croak out was, "Dix." He looked around expecting to see Roy and then he remembered. Roy was dead and it was all his fault. He started to cry. "Now, Johnny what's wrong? You're okay." Dixie brushed the hair out off of Johnny's face. He tried to talk and he whispered, "how can I be okay without Roy...?" Johnny didn't finish. "Without Roy?" Dixie asked. "What do you mean, without Roy?" "Don't wanna talk about it." Johnny said. "Don't go anywhere." Dixie left the room and Johnny was by himself. He started to think about his life now without Roy. He thought about all the things that he never got the chance to say to Roy. And he grieved about all of the things that Roy's children will miss out on, by not having their father. Johnny didn't hear the door open as he was weeping. "Hey Junior, how are ya feeling" "Roy? ROY? I thought you were dead!" Johnny said with his voice cracking. He cleared the tears away from his face. "Dead? What makes you say that? I wasn't the one who ate the bad Chinese food and then got an electrical shock fixing the Squad. We thought you were dead. Boy you gave me such a time. I'll tell ya more about it when you're feelin' better." Roy said with the biggest grin on his face. Johnny was still confused. "How are the twins?" "Twins?" "You know, Randi and Kevin." "Who's twins are they?" "YOURS!" "Junior, I don't what drugs they have you on but JoAnne and I only have two children who will be so happy that their Uncle Johnny will be fine. Let me let you rest. You've had a bad shock to your system. I'll be back later." Johnny watched Roy leave his room. Roy was really alive. Did that mean that everything he experienced was just a dream? What would make him have such a wild nightmare? He thought about it. Roy said he had food poisoning. That might do it. Roy also told him he received a bad shock from the Squad's engine. That could do it too. But it doesn't explain…then Johnny remembered. He and Chet were up late the night before watching a horror flick, It Happened Tomorrow. "Could it be that all of those things led me to have that wild ride?" Johnny was distracted when he heard a knock on his door. Hoarsely he said, "come in." Suzanne walked in. "Johnny, I just wanted to see how you're doing. You know there are other ways of getting out of a date. You didn't have to go to such extremes!" Johnny grinned and blushed. His throat was sore. He must have been intubated. "I can't stay long or Dixie will have my head. I just want you to know that when you're well, we will reschedule our date." She walked over to him and kissed him on his forehead. "See ya later. And Johnny, sweet dreams." (Kaja's comments- Okay I know I pulled a "Bobby in Shower" on you. I had to! I didn't start out that way, but the story sorta kinda wrote itself. There was no way that JoAnne would be with anyone besides Roy, physically and emotionally. So the story changed from it's original direction from Switch #1 to have this ending. Don't throw anything at Betty. It's all my doing. People to thank include Betty, once again) (Betty's Comments- Like parts one and two part three was a hoot to participate in. I want to thank Janet for allowing me to help her with this story and for her patience with me as I tend to procrastinate at times.) |