Thank you by Erin James September 11, 2006 The men of LA County Station 51's A shift have not worked together in quite a few years. Then shift Captain Hank Stanley is now retired Battalion Chief Hank Stanley. Engineer Mike Stoker is now retired Captain Mike Stoker. Firefighter Chet Kelly is now the engineer for his former shift, although he could test up he decided he never wanted to. Firefighter Marco Lopez had medically retired due to injuries suffered in the line of duty. Paramedic Roy Desoto is now Captain Roy Desoto and paramedic Johnny Gage had followed his partner into the role of Captain. As the men have ever since that mournful September day the former shift mates have once again gathered at someone's house. This year it is Roy's turn to host the "family" gathering. Knowing that the boys are going to want some time alone Roy's wife Joanne has left the house for the day. Twelve noon in LA The former shift mates all arrive at the Desoto household at the same time after attending memorial services in the morning. Each is wearing full dress uniform. Even Hank, Marco, and Mike are in uniform to show their solidarity with those still serving. Hank: Even after all these years we have the same timing. Mike: We always will Hank. Roy sees his former shift mates walking up the sidewalk and opens his door. Roy smiles even though it doesn't make it to his eyes. Roy: Hi guys. Marco: Hi Roy. Chet: Hi Cap. Mike: Hi Roy. Hank: Hi pal. Man I am not going to ever get used to calling you and Johnny Captains. The guys laugh. Johnny: Hi pally. Roy: Hi junior. The guys walk in the house. Mike: Roy, remind me to thank Joanne for not being here today. Roy (solemnly): It was her idea Mike. She knew we would want some time as a shift. Roy closes the door as A shift heads for his living room. Roy had rearranged the furniture so it is in somewhat of a circle the night before in anticipation of the gathering. Roy heads for his chair, Johnny takes Joanne's chair. Mike and Hank take the love seat and Marco and Chet take the couch. Hank doesn't even have to ask if anybody has anything they want to say as it all starts to spill out. Marco (with a slight catch in his voice): Five years my lord. Johnny (with a catch in his voice): It still feels like yesterday. Chet shudders. Mike: Doing our job and knowing full well… Hank: They'd do it again if called upon. Chet (angry): Senseless damn violence. Roy: A country united that day. As the events of the day and what it marks catch up with the guys, the normally strong crew has unshed tears swimming in their eyes. Hank (solemnly but with a catch in his voice): 343. Marco (with a catch in his voice): May we never forget. Roy (struggling with his emotions): So many lost that day and since in the war on terror. Taps brings tears to my eyes because I know many times in those days and even as it echoes today it means a final farewell to a fallen hero. Before anybody has the chance to say anything there is a slight knock at the door. Roy quickly pulls his emotions together and stands to answer the door. He catches his breath one last time to make sure he can speak. Roy opens the door. Young Woman: Captain Desoto? Roy (startled): Yes? Something in Roy's voice makes the rest of A shift turn toward Roy. Young Woman: I'm sorry sir I didn't mean to startle you. I stopped by your firehouse and was told that you were off today. The former full time paramedic kicks in in Roy. Roy (worried): Is everything okay ma'am? Would you like to come in? Young woman: Yes everything is okay sir and yes thank you I would like to come in. I was hoping to track down some of your former shift mates. Hank (from the living room): Ma'am you found us all in one place. Roy opens the door for the young woman who steps inside. Young Woman: Thank you. Roy: You're welcome. Roy and the young woman walk into the living room. By now the guys are completely confused. Young woman: I am sorry I didn't mean to startle any of you. I know what today means to you and I just wanted to deliver something. I have been dropping these off all around the city today as well as putting it up online. I stopped by Captain Desoto's station and the shift that is on duty said he was off and getting together with his old shift. Mike: Present and accounted for ma'am. Young Woman: Gentlemen would you mind if I read what I wrote before I hand you each a copy? Hank: No ma'am, go right ahead. Young Woman: Okay thank you sir. Roy and the rest of the guys gather together on and around the couch as the young woman stands in the middle of the living room. Young Woman: I wrote this just today. Johnny: Okay. Young Woman: A simple thank you for those who do a thankless job. Tragedy strikes and they respond today like they did that day in 2001. The guys all feel their breath catch in their throats as they realize the young woman had written a tribute. Young Woman: Thank you two words that mean so much yet are not heard enough. Thank you to the civilian responders who bravely put their lives on the line. To rescue friends, neighbors, loved ones from those towers and the Pentagon. By now the A shift family is once again struggling with their emotions as they listen and take to heart the words the young woman is saying. Young Woman: Thank you to the men and women of all the branches of the armed services. Blue, Green, Red and White united that day to work together and save who they could. Sadly some fell but the memory of those who fell that day gives those who live on a drive and fight. In New York 343 lost their lives that day 343 men and women who would gladly do it all over again. Taps was heard many times in those days and it echoes today may the families of those lost on that awful day find strength in those mournful notes. May they realize their loved one did not die in vain and did die doing a job that they loved. By now it is all the guys can do to keep from losing complete control of their emotions. Young Woman: As we remember the fallen today remember to stop and say thank you. EMTs, firefighters, policemen, military don't hear it enough. So I say it now for all of those who say silent thank yous but never bring the words to their mouth. From the heart of the daughter of a retired Senior Master Sergeant, United States Air Force to all first responders civilian and military and to all active duty and reserve members of the military that protects our nation. Here's my simple thank you to all of you The young woman looks each member of the group in the eyes. Young Woman: Thank you all. The young woman hands each man an autographed copy of what she had just read with a hand written message that simply says Thank You on it. Being the only one who has a small enough knot to speak around, Mike looks the young woman in the eye. Mike (struggling with his emotions): You are so very welcome. Thank you so much for those heartfelt words. Young Woman: You're very welcome sir. Captain Desoto, thank you for inviting me into your home. I must go now I have other stations to drop this off at. Roy forces the golf ball size knot down in his throat. Roy: You're welcome ma'am. Roy stands and walks the young woman to the door. Once he sees the young woman out Roy closes the door and walks back into the living room. Together the guys give each other a hug as they finally let the unshed tears fall. After crying for a while the guys settle down but still keep a good grip on each other. Hank: Somebody actually said thank you. Chet: I say it every time. Johnny: I am only confused by one line. Red, Green, Blue, White? Roy: They are colors from the uniforms of the different  branches of the military junior. Red for the Marine Corps, Green for the Army, Blue for the Air Force and White for the Navy. Johnny: Ah okay. Having the heard words of the simple thank you written by a young woman none of them had ever met the guys settle in for a day of remembrance in honor of all of those lost on that mournful day. Authors Note: The poem included in this story is something I wrote the afternoon of September 11, 2006 while listening to the various tributes and memorials on TV. Thanks for reading this, I am still new at the fan fiction thing but I hope to get better with time. Here is the poem uninterrupted.  Erin A simple Thank You A simple thank you for those who do a thankless job Tragedy strikes and they respond today like they did that day in 2001. Thank you two words that mean so much yet are not heard enough. Thank you to the civilian responders who bravely put their lives on the line To rescue friends, neighbors, loved ones from those towers and the Pentagon. Thank you to the men and women of all the branches of the armed services. Blue, Green, Red and White united that day to work together and save who they could. Sadly some fell but the memory of those who fell that day gives those who live on a drive and fight. In New York 343 lost their lives that day 343 men and women who would gladly do it all over again. Taps was heard many times in those days and it echoes today may the families of those lost on that awful day find strength in those mournful notes. May they realize their loved one did not die in vain and did die doing a job that they loved. As we remember the fallen today remember to stop and say thank you. EMTs, firefighters, policemen, military don't hear it enough. So I say it now for all of those who say silent thank yous but never bring the words to their mouth. From the heart of the daughter of a retired Senior Master Sergeant, United States Air Force to all first responders civilian and military and to all active duty and reserve members of the military that protects our nation. Here's my simple thank you to all of you. AN: Any feedback, good, bad or indifferent is appreciated.