The ReunTion The Reunion by Sharon Chief Roy DeSoto woke up to his customary 6:00 a.m. internal alarm.  It was a habit he knew he'd probably never rid himself of.  He rolled over to kiss his wife before getting out of bed to make a pot of coffee.  He was surprised to find her awake and watching him. "Morning sweetheart," he smiled at his lovely wife of nearly 38 years. "Morning Hun. How do you feel?" she asked her husband on his retirement day.  Roy kissed Joanne and replied, "Happy, sad, overwhelmed and a host of other emotions I can't put my finger on.  I kinda wish my last day could be an active one."  It was standard procedure for the LA County Fire Department to have a small ceremony for it's finest on their last day of service; Roy's would be no different.  He rolled out of bed and went to take a shower.  She decided to get up as well and start the pot of coffee, her husband seemed to have forgotten about.  When she heard the shower turn off, she made her husband a cup of coffee and brought it up to him.  She found him sitting on the bed pulling on his socks.  She set his coffee on the night table.  Walking to the closet, she took out his dress uniform, placing it on the bed.  She then retreated to the bathroom to have a shower herself.  Roy was fully dressed when he grabbed his coffee and headed for his office.  The room had been his son Christopher's bedroom when he had been living at home.  Chris was a grown man of thirty-six now, with a small family of his own.  He went to his computer and turned it on.  He clicked on his e-mail button and waited for five new messages to download.  As they started to pop up one by one, he started getting anxious.  Of course the one he was hoping for appeared last.  A smile crossed his face as he opened the e-mail from his best friend and former paramedic partner, Johnny Gage.  He didn't know why he had felt so anxious.  He knew his friend wouldn't have forgotten this special day.  Johnny had jumped at the chance to move to Hawaii fifteen years earlier, to become a part of a new program to its area.  USAR Johnny had called it.  It stood for Urban Search and Rescue.  He had considered joining the force here in California, but never seemed to get around to it.  When he saw an ad in early 1986 in one of the trade magazines for firefighters, that the program was going to open a unit in Hawaii, he couldn't resist the opportunity. From: J. Gage To: R. DeSoto Subj: BIG DAY! Message: Good Morning! I knew you'd look for this early, so I sent it before I went to bed last night.  So how do you feel partner?  It's hard to believe you've been with the same department for 36 years!  That's quite an accomplishment my friend.  I'm not really surprised though. You're the most loyal person I've ever known. Sorry I couldn't make it to LA to be with you on your big day, but summer is our busy time here.  You know, dumb tourists thinking nothing could ever happened to them in this beautiful paradise.  Maybe I can get away in the fall and come visit you and Jo for a few weeks.  I can't believe we haven't seen each other for 10 years.  My hair is starting to gray my friend! It's hard to imagine but true. Well I hope it's a beautiful sunny (not smoggy) day for you.  Give Joanne and the kids hugs and kisses and say 'Hi' to the guys for me.  Have fun, be safe and keep laughing Roy.   Take care.      Johnny He hadn't noticed Joanne enter the room and read the mail over his shoulder.  "That was really nice of Johnny," she said.   He stood up and took his wife into his arms. "You look beautiful sweetheart.  Can you believe it's been 15 years since Johnny left?  Boggles the mind how fast the years have gone by."  She knew how much her husband missed his best friend.  She smiled; remembering the last time she had seen that crooked smile of their jovial friend, 10 years previous. ********** The plane taxied the runway to its place at the airport terminal.  It had been a long flight, with a young baby screaming most of the way.  Roy and Joanne were both very happy to be making their way through the airport now.  They searched out the luggage carousel and stopped suddenly, at the sight of a tall handsome man with dark hair smiling at them.  "Johnny we told you we could take a taxi out to your place," Roy spoke to his long time friend with a confused expression on his face. "Roy what kind of a friend would I be if I let you take a taxi? God Roy, sometimes you really amaze me!" Johnny replied while he made his way over to Joanne.  He took her into his arms, gave her a kiss on the cheek, swept her off her feet and swung her around, while other passengers looked on. "Johnny Gage you put me down this instant," she scolded. "Don't tell me your turning into a prude Joanne" Johnny teased putting her down all the while looking into that beautiful face he had come to know so well.  He could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that his playfulness had made her happy.  He always suspected that behind Joanne's proper demeanor was a very mischievous, sexy, and almost naughty woman that only Roy was privileged to witness.  During the two-week visit, the three friends caught up on each other's lives.  Johnny had taken the DeSoto's to see many of Hawaii's beautiful sights.  He took them on a helicopter sightseeing tour and took them to the famous Diamond Head volcano.  On there last evening together, they found themselves at an authentic Luau.  Watching the local entertainment and smelling the delicious food that continued to cook over the open fire made Joanne wish she and Roy wouldn't be leaving the next day.  She turned her attention to Johnny. "Wow Johnny, I can understand why you love it here.  This is absolutely wonderful." "I know Joanne, it's beautiful.  The locals are very welcoming and well, the ocean just isn't the same in California," Johnny hadn't turned to look at her.  He'd kept his eyes on the pretty young women dancing in front of him.  She and Roy exchanged looks and smiled.  "Yeah the view is spectacular Junior."  Roy's voice brought Johnny out of his trance.  With a smile on his face he turned to the couple beside him.  "Sorry, I was just dreaming." "I'm sure you were," Joanne smirked. "Hey listen, you haven't told me anything about the guys since you've been here.  So how are they?" Johnny questioned. "Well as you know, Hank is now a Battalion Chief.  And he's very good at it.  No surprise there!" "Yeah he could always take control of any situation we arrived at.  I'm sure he loves it as well." "Oh yeah!" Roy laughed.  "Remember how convinced he was that he'd never make Chief?" John laughed, "I remember." "Did anyone ever find out why he set that hat on fire?" Joanne broke into the conversation.  "Not that I know of," Roy replied.  "There was also the time he was positive he had arthritis.  Remember that?" "Boy he could get himself worked up over nothing couldn't he?" retorted Johnny.  Roy looked stunned. "Yeah it seems he wasn't the only one, back then." "What's that suppose to mean?" "I didn't mention any names did I?" he laughed. "Anyway Stoker passed his Captain's the year after you left." "Like that's a big surprise," John smiled. "He's now Captain of 51's A-Shift." "Wow!  Well doesn't that just beat all?  How come you didn't try to become 51's Captain yourself?" "I guess I didn't really want to go back.  I'm happy looking after my men at 36's.  They remind me of our group.  They're a very tight crew.  I'm very proud of them." "Hey listen, Pally, a shift can only be as tight as the Captain allows.  So you must be doing a pretty good job yourself."  Roy smiled knowing this was Johnny's way of complimenting him, as well as telling him he was proud of him. "Thanks Junior." Joanne, who was content listening to the friendly banter, was smiling at her husband. She placed a hand on his back and started to gently rub it.  She too was proud of Roy.  After Johnny left LA, Roy didn't seem content being a paramedic without him.  He wrote the engineer's exam and once again passed.  He took the promotion and was re-assigned to Station 18.  It had been a big adjustment, but he seemed happier to be away from Station 51 and his absent partner.  Now he was the Captain of 36's A-Shift. "So what's up with Marco these days?" Johnny wanted to know. "Well he's getting married this fall.  He met a very nice young lady a few years ago." "That's great!  I'll have to remember to send them a present." "That's not all Johnny.  Marco just finished school!" "What?" "Yep, he decided to go back to school to become an arson investigator." "Wow, Inspector Lopez! That's incredible!  Good for him, I guess I really need to send him a gift now." "I'm sure he'd appreciate it.  He worked awfully hard." "Well I'm happy for him.  He always reminded me of Mike.  They were both quietly intelligent." Roy chuckled, "Except when they were trying to come up with a new invention."  Johnny joined Roy's laughter.  "God that was funny.  They nearly started a full blown two alarm fire," the younger man exaggerated. "Well it had more potential then Chet's suction cup shoes," Roy said through peals of laughter. "Now that was ridiculous!  Too bad we got a call just then.  I would have loved to see Chet trying to scale the wall of the firehouse!"  Wiping his eyes to rid them of the tears, he questioned, " So what is the Phantom up to these days?" Roy continued laughing, "Scaring the hell out of all the boots!" Johnny laughed.  "Don't worry.  They'll catch on soon enough that he's harmless.  Plus if he targets you, he's really only trying to tell you he likes you and enjoys your company." "Seriously, he's studying for his Captain's." "You're kidding?!" "Nope." "You know, you have to admire his fortitude.  How long did it take him to pass the engineer's exam?  Four, five tries?" "But he did it.  And he sure makes a hell of an engineer," Roy smiled. "Well if that just don't beat all.  I wish I could witness that." ******** Roy reached for his wife's hand,  "It's time to go sweetheart."  She returned to the present smiling at her husband. "Boy I can't believe this day is here!  It seems like just yesterday you joined the department." "Trust me, it feels that way to me as well.  Are the kids meeting us here or at the ceremony?" "The ceremony." "Okay then, let's get this show on the road." Looking around the room, Roy was pleased to see all those who had shown up for his send off.  His former crew from Station 36 was here, as well as a few other people he had the opportunity to work with over the years.  The people he was most happy to see were the people he had the pleasure of working with while having been a paramedic at Station 51.  They included Charlie Dwyer, Mike "The Animal" Bellingham, Craig Brice and of course the guys he worked with every day Hank Stanley, Mike Stoker, Marco Lopez and Chet Kelly.  They all stood together reminiscing.   He felt a twinge in his heart; he couldn't help feel a wave of loneliness created by the absence of Johnny Gage.  How he wished his former partner could be here. Roy took a deep breath and started towards the group when a pretty blonde haired woman interrupted him. She smiled up at him and planted a kiss on his cheek.  "Congratulations Roy.  You deserve some R&R.  Maybe we can get together more often now." The smile that spread across his face could have put Johnny Gage to shame. "Dixie!  It's great to see you.  Thanks for coming!" he said as he returned her kiss. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything!" "So how's retirement treating you?" he inquired. "Just fine Roy.  I can't complain one bit," she smiled.  Placing an arm around the former head nurse's shoulder, he guided her over to his former station mates.  The group exchanged pleasantries and reminisced some more.  He suddenly felt arms wrap around him and turned to look into the face of his grown daughter, Jennifer.  "Hi Dad.  How ya feeling?" she placed a kiss on his cheek. "I really couldn't voice my thoughts and feelings Jenny.  But I am very happy to see you here.  It wouldn't be the same if my family wasn't here," he smiled at her, noticing her fiance Jim Scott standing behind her.  He took Jim's offered hand and shook it. "Congratulations Mr. DeSoto.  The fire department, as well as the police department, are sure going to miss you." Roy and Joanne were pleased Jennifer had found a nice stable man to spend her life with.  Jim Scott was a well-respected member of the Los Angeles County Police Department.  At thirty-five, he was only three years older than Jennifer was.  Roy always felt that Jim's serious nature was the perfect balance for his daughter's own more out-going personality. Roy often worried about the dangerous nature of Jim's job, but always reminded himself that he too had been in many dangerous situations during his career. "Thanks Jim, I'm sure they'll manage," he winked.  Two young children wrapped themselves around Roy's legs.  He bent down and picked them both up giving each a huge squeeze and kiss. "Hi Grandpa!  Are we going to your house after this place?" asked six year old Ryan DeSoto. "We sure are," Roy placed Ryan and his four-year-old sister Casie back onto the floor.  Straightening himself up he found himself face to face with his son Christopher. "Hi Dad, sorry we're a bit late.  Traffic ya know." "You're not late Chris.  The ceremony seems to have been delayed as well." Joanne walked up to her son.  "Where's Cyndi?" she asked. "She went back to the van to get our camera," he smiled.  Roy's daughter-in-law, Cynthia, had become the family's unofficial photographer since she married Chris eight years earlier.  She and Chris met while attending the University of California.  Chris had been taking a Civil Engineers course and Cyndi was in the process of becoming a teacher.  The two had been inseparable ever since. Cynthia DeSoto jumped out of the van with her camera around her neck.  She gave a small cry as her ankle twisted in on its self. "Are you okay?" a concerned voice asked. "Yeah I'm fine. I just twisted my ankle.  It should be fine, thanks."  She looked up into the face from which the voice came. "Oh my Gosh!  You're him!" she stammered.  A crooked smile spread across the man's face.  "Exactly who am I?" "Dad's partner!" Arching his eyebrows he asked, "I don't think I know your father and I'm certainly not his partner.  Are you sure you're okay?" "Oh yeah. I'm fine.  I'm sorry, you have no idea who I am.  My name is Cynthia DeSoto. I'm…" His smile reappeared, "DeSoto.  You must be Chris's wife!" The young woman returned his smile.  "Yes, that's right.  And I believe you would be the infamous John Gage," she chuckled.  "Well I don't know about infamous, but yes I'm John Gage.  It's nice to finally meet you Cyndi.   Roy's told me a lot about you," he stretched his hand out towards the pretty woman.  She took the handsome man's hand in hers.  Unable to contain her excitement she pulled the man in front of her into a hug. "Does dad know you're here?  Boy will he be surprised if he doesn't.  I'm glad I came back for my camera!" she smiled releasing him from her embrace. He understood why Roy enjoyed his daughter-in-law's company.  She had a kindness about her that put the people around her at ease.  "No he doesn't know I'm here.  It's a surprise from myself and Joanne." "Mom knows you're here?  Boy is dad going to get her back for this.  I can't wait to see the look on his face!" "Well why don't we go inside and find him so you can take your picture." The older man placed his hand on her back and guided her into the headquarters of the LACo Fire Department.  Most of the small crowd had found a seat and sat down.  A few people there, to see other members of the department on their big day, had not yet sat down.   Johnny scanned the room and saw a few familiar faces.  He was trying desperately to find one particular face he had known so well while living here in LA.  Looking over the group of people, he felt a warmth enter his body.  He hadn't realized how much he'd missed those friendly faces.  Hank, Chet and Marco were all facing him.  Mike, Joanne, Chris and Jennifer all had their backs to him.  There were a few people he didn't recognize, a woman standing beside Roy, also with her back to him, and a man standing beside Jennifer.  The two newfound friends approached the group as Hank, Chet and Marco looked like deer frozen in front of car headlights. "Hi Dad. I think I found something you'd like to see," Cyndi said as she brought the camera's eyepiece up to her face.  Turning to greet the woman he loved as his own daughter, Roy hadn't expected the shock of his life.  Standing beside his daughter-in-law was a man he hadn't laid eye's on in over ten years.  The face hadn't changed much; it looked a little older.  The hair was shorter and graying a bit at the sides.  There was still a small scar on his forehead from an accident in the squad and the smile was still huge and lop-sided. He immediately felt his pulse begin to quicken and his face broke into the biggest smile he'd ever given. "JUNIOR!" was all he could muster while his face was assaulted by a camera's flash. "Hi yourself Pally!  You didn't think I would really miss your big day did you?"  Johnny said while stepping in front of his long time friend wrapping his arms around him.  Roy returned his embrace whispering into his ear, "Thank-you." Johnny smiled knowing Roy to be a man of few words.  After finishing with the hug, he turned his attention to Joanne.  He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up.  Swinging her around he placed a kiss on her cheek. "Johnny Gage put me down!" "Oh Joanne, loosen up would ya," he smiled at her.  After exchanging handshakes with his former crewmates he turned to see two small children hiding behind Chris's legs.  They were unmistakably the offspring of his best friend's son and his wife.  They both had strawberry blonde hair and big beautiful blue eyes.  They reminded him of a young Christopher and Jennifer.  'Could Chris really be old enough to have children of his own?' he thought to himself. "Hi Chris.  I take it they don't have your wife's disposition?" he said while pointing to the youngsters. "No they don't Unc...I mean Johnny.  But they do have her brains," he smiled at his wife.  "So I take it you met Cyndi?" "Yes I had the pleasure in the parking lot.  You may want to have her sit down to get some weight off of her foot." "What do you mean?" he asked. "She twisted her ankle out there.  I'd have her get off her foot for a while, just to be safe." "Will do Johnny.  Man I can't believe you're here.  This is great.  I don't think anything could have made dad happier." "I'm sure having his children and grandchildren here would have been enough," he smiled at the younger man.  "And speaking of children, where did Jenny take off to?" "No where.  I'm right here Uncle Johnny." Jennifer DeSoto, unlike her brother, had decided she would still call the man standing beside her uncle.  He turned to the beautiful young woman and took her into his arms.  "I understand congratulations are in order.  Will I get to meet the lucky man while I'm here?" "Of course. He's right here.  Jim this is John Gage, my dad's best friend and former partner.  Johnny this is my fiancé Jim Scott." The two men shook hands and smiled at one another.  Jim heard a lot of stories about the man standing in front of him and decided a long time ago, if he ever had the chance to meet him, he'd like him.  Anyone who was his future father-in-law's best friend must be a good person.  Plus being a policeman himself, he understood the relationship that developed between partners.  The group was brought out of their jovial banter when the loud speaker announced the ceremony was about to begin. As he made his way to a seat, Johnny felt a hand on his back.  He turned to see the woman he hadn't recognized earlier.  "Dixie!  Wow it's great to see you.  I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry.  How are you?" "I'm fine Johnny, it sure is nice to see that smile again.  I sure have missed you and your tales.  Hawaii must be treating you well.  I don't think I've ever seen you look healthier, and it looks like you've finally put on a few pounds," she smiled up at her favorite paramedic's face, while gently tapping his abdomen. "Aww that's just age Dix.  Call it middle age spread," he chuckled as they found two empty seats together.  The ceremony had been nice and the department said many admirable things about Battalion Chief Roy DeSoto's distinguished career.  Hank Stanley had been chosen to say a few words and did a very nice job of making sure the gathered crowd understood what a fine man Roy was, as well as what a fine firefighter, paramedic, engineer, Captain, paramedic instructor and finally Battalion Chief Roy had been.  Roy never having been comfortable with praise blushed the entire time.  The group of friends now gathered at the DeSoto's home for a few drinks, some food and catching up. Johnny made his way over to the couch and sat down beside Jennifer.  He couldn't believe what a beautiful woman she had grown into.  The last time he had seen her she was seventeen years old.  She was just starting to turn into a woman then, but now there was no doubt.  She was gorgeous and definitely a woman.  He didn't know why but he took great pride in this fact.  "So Jenny, when is your big day?" "November, during Thanksgiving weekend.  I figure the weather will be nice then," she smiled trying to imagine the day she would become Mrs. Jennifer Scott. "Trust me Jen, whatever day you decide, it will be a beautiful day.  It's hard to believe your getting married." "I know Uncle Johnny. I can't believe it myself.  You are going to come aren't you?" she sounded terrified at what the answer might be. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world.  I still regret I couldn't make it for Chris and Cyndi's wedding.  I hope they understood my absence," he frowned. "I'm sure they did.  It was unfortunate your friend's funeral was on the same day. So what do you think of Cyndi?"  Jennifer asked trying to return the conversation to something more light hearted. "She seems like a very nice young woman.  She's a school teacher isn't she?" "Yeah she teaches Kindergarten at the school Chris and I went to as children.  Small world huh?" "Teachers didn't look like that when I went to school," he smiled as his eyes settled on Cyndi DeSoto across the room from them.  Jennifer watched the older man with a smirk on her face.  "It's nice to know that some things in this world never change." "What?" he asked placing a hand on his chest. "You're impossible Uncle Johnny.  Believe me I've heard all those stories about your chasing after the nurses at Rampart.  I can see you still appreciate a pretty woman." "Well to rework a phrase your father once used on me, I'm just getting older, I'm not dead," he grinned. "My dad said that?" "Well not those exact words, but the meaning's still the same.  And yes, beauty is nice to look at, but don't worry Jen.  Married woman are still out of bounds for me, especially your brother's wife." She smiled at her "uncle".  'Boy I sure had good taste as a young girl.  I had such a crush on him.  I know someone who would be perfect for him.  Why didn't I invite Tarina here today?  I'll have to remember to get the two of them in the same room before Uncle Johnny leaves.' she thought.  "Are you coming over for dinner tomorrow?" she asked innocently. "No, Chet and I already made plans to go out for dinner.  But we'll drop by afterwards," he reassured her. "Okay," she said, a bit disappointed.  'Oh well, I'll make sure Tarina will still be here.'  Just then Casie DeSoto came over to her Aunt Jennifer and climbed into her lap.  She was watching Johnny with a very stern face. "Well hello there," Johnny smiled at the little girl. "You're a mean man," she replied with a scowl on her face.  Johnny asked, "Why do you think I'm mean sweetheart?" "Because you made Grandpa sleep in a chair."  Johnny suppressed a laugh as he thought back to the night that Roy had once tried to stay at his apartment.  He didn't offer Roy his bed, which meant he had to sleep on the foldout chair.  It hadn't been a good night to say the least.  His neighbors were having problems and had ended up in the middle of his living room trying to sort things out.  The whole time Roy had been stuck on the chair in his underwear. "Oh, I see why that could make you angry.  I really am sorry your Grandpa didn't find my chair comfortable.  But you know what?  He didn't stay.  He went to a hotel instead," he assured the little girl in Jennifer's lap. A smile escaped from the corners of her mouth, "Really?" "Yep, he did.  So can we be friends now?" he asked. "Yeah okay.  But you don't do anything mean to my Grandpa," she warned the dark haired man. "Scouts honor," he replied making an X across his chest with his finger. Jennifer started to laugh.  "Like I said it's nice to see some things never change. "What do you mean?" "You still have a way of charming a four year old girl into your side of the corner," she replied.  He laughed remembering the first time he met Jennifer.  She was about the same age as Casie was now and had also hidden behind her father's leg.  By the end of the evening she was laughing and playing with Johnny like she had known him her whole life.  Later that evening when everyone but the DeSoto's, Jim Scott and Johnny were left in the house, Roy and Johnny retreated with Chris and Jim onto the deck. "How in the world did you keep this a secret?" Roy asked. "Well only Joanne, Jennifer and I knew about it." "When did you get in?" "Early this morning.  I took the overnight flight." "What about the e-mail I received?"  "I couldn't let you get up this morning and think that I'd forgotten about you today.  So I sent it before I left for the airport last night." Jim sat and listened to the friends.  He liked the comfort level they enjoyed with each other.  He hoped that thirty years from now he and his partner, Steve Campbell, would be sharing a similar conversation. Noticing the younger mans faraway look; Johnny tapped him on the leg. "Roy tells me you're a police officer.  I sure hope you have as good a partner as I once had." "I do Mr. Gage.  Steve…" "Hey wait a minute.  None of this Mr. stuff.  Just call me John or Johnny, okay?" "Yeah sure, John.  Like I was saying, my partner Steve is great.  I couldn't do my job without him.  He keeps me sane."  Roy and Johnny exchanged looks and smiled at one another.  They understood the younger man's thoughts completely.  "Well just make sure you look after him and never take him for granted," Johnny warned. "Oh I understand what you mean.  I just hope Jennifer understands our friendship." Johnny asked, "What do you mean?" Roy jumped in, "What he means Johnny, is he hopes Jennifer will understand Jim and Steve's need to spend time together away from work.  He hopes she'll understand her need to put a lot of trust in Steve.  A trust most women don't have to place in their husband's co-worker.  Am I right Jim?" "Yeah Mr. DeSoto.  How did you know what I meant?" he asked the question Johnny himself would have asked if given the chance. "Don't forget Jim.  I'm a married man myself."  He looked over at Johnny and cleared his throat.  "Joanne had to learn real fast that she had to place a lot of faith in Johnny.  She didn't like the idea at first, but she came around eventually."  Johnny was a bit stunned by this comment.  "What do you mean she came around?  She didn't like me?" "Johnny I didn't say that.  I'm just saying that she didn't realized how much she would come to depend on your strengths as well as her own.  It was new to her and it overwhelmed her in the beginning.  Everyday I left for work she said a small prayer not only for me but for you as well.  She knew you were watching my back.  She didn't realize at first that our friendship would become so tight away from work as well." "I guess I'll have to remember to thank her for her prayers then.  If I got all my injuries while someone was praying for me, can you imagine what would have happened to me without them?" he chuckled. Roy laughed at the comment while looking at the lost look on his son's face.  "What's wrong Chris?" "Nothing dad. I just don't know how you guys could get up and go to work each day, knowing you have such dangerous jobs." "Well Chris, let's just say it's a calling.  Either you can do it or you can't," Johnny explained shrugging his shoulders. "John's right.  It's something you just have to do.  I don't know what else I would do if I wasn't a cop," Chris's future brother-in-law said. "Well I just know I couldn't do it," Chris voiced taking a drink of his beer. "Chris, let's just say I wasn't disappointed when you told me you wanted to be a civil engineer," his father retorted. "Well guys, I'm tired.  It's been a long day.  I think I'll head over to the hotel and get some sleep.  I'll see you tomorrow.  You're going to be here aren't you Jim?" Johnny asked while getting up out of his lawn chair. "Of course.  I'll be here for dinner as well.  I wouldn't miss Mrs. DeSoto's cooking for anything.  Aren't you going to be here for supper?" Jim stood and shook Johnny's hand for the second time that day. "No, Chet Kelly and I are going out for dinner tomorrow.  I'll see you guys afterwards." "Alright Johnny see ya tomorrow," Chris said while getting up.  The men walked into the house to find Joanne, Jennifer and Cyndi playing a game of gin rummy.  Johnny walked up to the table to say his good-byes.   Jennifer stood up first and wrapped her arms around his neck.  "I'm happy you made it Uncle Johnny.  It just wouldn't have been the same without you."  She kissed her uncle on the cheek. "Well thank you for providing me with such a great flight Jen." She had decided that nursing wasn't for her and had dropped out halfway through her first year.  She decided she wanted to become a travel agent and went to community college the following year.  She was now a senior agent at an agency in Malibu and had arranged John Gage's flight to LA from Honolulu. "You're welcome.  It's was my pleasure." Cyndi rose from the table and gave Johnny a sweet smile. "Good night Johnny.  It was finally nice to meet the man I've heard so many stories about." "Night Cyndi, it was nice to meet you as well.  Chris couldn't have met and fell in love with a lovelier woman.  Be sure to take it easy on that ankle for the next few days." "Oh John Gage.  Will you ever stop flirting with all the pretty woman?" Joanne scolded him while flashing him a smile.  She walked over to the man she knew like a brother and kissed him. "I just can't help myself Jo.  It's a sickness," he teased while stepping back from their embrace. "Come on Romeo, let's make sure you get some beauty sleep," Roy placed an arm around his friend's shoulder and the two walked out to Johnny's rental car.  When they reached the vehicle Roy stopped and looked down at the ground. "Thanks again for coming Johnny.  It means the world to me that you could be here for me." "Come on Roy, you should know I wouldn't have missed this for the world.  It was a big day for you as well as for Joanne.  I wanted to share it with you."  Johnny got into the car, turned the ignition and drove toward the hotel and a good night's sleep.  Roy turned and looked up at his house.  Secure in the knowledge that his family waited for him inside.  He wished his friend could find someone to share his life with.  Little did he know that his daughter was already working on the same thoughts. *************** Johnny looked at his watch once more, as he and Chet walked to Roy's front door.  "Oh, man, we're late," he muttered. "Hey, I didn't hear you announcing the time when those girls invited us to play pool after dinner," Chet teased. "I know, I know.  Let's just hope Roy's not too mad."  He turned away from Chet and knocked on the door. A young woman they'd never seen before answered it.  "Hello?" she asked the strangers in front of her. "We're here to see Roy," Chet was finally able to stammer. "Oh, of course, you must be Johnny and Chet.  He's been waiting for you.  I'm Tarina." "Nice to meet you, I'm Chet Kelly.  This is Johnny Gage."  Chet took advantage of Johnny's speechlessness to introduce himself, and whisked her away from the door, leaving a stunned Johnny behind.  He shook his head, to gather his thoughts, and followed them to the dining room. "So, how do you know Roy?" she asked Chet. "We worked together a very long time ago," Chet answered. "And just how do you know Roy?"  "He's my best friend's dad," she answered.  Chet and Johnny exchanged a look, knowing that as attractive as she was, she would probably be off-limits to them.  "So, you must be Jennifer's friend," replied Chet. "So where is Roy anyway?"  Johnny finally found his voice to ask. "Out on the deck, he's waiting for you." "Thanks, Tarina.  Maybe we'll see you around," Johnny flashed her a lopsided grin. "Maybe," she grinned back at him.  She parted company with them as they headed out to the deck. She went back to the kitchen where Joanne and Jennifer were. "So, what'd you think?"  Jen asked her best friend with a smile. "What do I think of what?"  Tarina replied distractedly. "Not what, who.  What'd you think of them?"  Jennifer asked laughing. "I didn't care too much for the pushy one, but the quiet one was kind of handsome," she answered. "The quiet one?  I don't think I've ever heard Johnny Gage described as the quiet one," Joanne laughed, joining in the conversation. "Me either Mom," Jennifer replied. "Well, he was quiet," Tarina insisted. "Tongue-tied is more like it," Joanne teased. "Shh, Mom!  They're talking at the table on the deck. I want to hear if they mention Tarina," Jennifer motioned for her mother to quiet down. Meanwhile, on the deck, oblivious to the fact they were being listened to, Johnny and Chet joined Roy at the table.  Roy hoisted his beer and took a sip.  "You're late." "I know.  We, uh, got held up at dinner," Johnny said sitting down. "Chet grab us a couple of beers from the cooler."  "Yeah, sure, why not."  Chet muttered, walking over to the other side of the deck and pulling two frosty beers from inside.  "Here you go," he told Johnny, making sure to hold the dripping wet beer over Johnny's head. "Hey, I didn't need a shower," Johnny complained, taking the beer from him. "Next time, get your own then." "So how did the barbecue go?" Johnny asked Roy. "It went fine.  You just missed Mike and Beth.  They left about 10 minutes ago." "Oh yeah, sorry about that." "It's okay." "So what are you doing out here anyway?" Chet asked.  "While the other guys were here, we were just sitting around and talking about some of our more memorable runs." "Yeah, did you tell them the girdle story?" Johnny asked nervously. "Johnny, that was twenty-three years ago you need to get over it," Roy teased.  "No, I didn't tell them.  I told you than that I wouldn't tell the guys, and I haven't, so relax." "Good."  "Come on, you're gonna leave me hanging?" Chet complained. "Like Roy says, get over it.  It happened over twenty years ago."  Johnny turned to Roy, "You might as well tell him now, he'll never leave it alone after tonight." "You're sure?" Roy asked him. "Yeah, go ahead and tell him, but only if I get to tell him about the little girl in the bathtub."  He grinned at Roy, knowing that was the one story; Roy had made Johnny promise never to tell the guys or Joanne for that matter. "Come on guys, will you hurry up and decide," Chet said impatiently. "Well, that was a long time ago too, so alright Johnny, you've got a deal," Roy agreed.  He set his beer down on the table and turned to Chet. "Johnny and I got called on a difficult breathing run.  We get there, and there's this lady. . .  Well, um, how do I put this delicately." "Rotund?" Johnny offered. "Yeah, that's a good one.  Okay, rotund lady, she somehow managed to squeeze herself into a girdle that was way too small.  It was cutting off her air.  So as soon as we realized that's what the problem was, Johnny turned to me and asked me what to do.  Being senior paramedic at the time had its advantages.  I looked at Johnny and told him to cut it off her.  So Johnny got down on his knees and used his bandage scissors to cut up the side of the girdle.  He got to the top, and as soon as he made the final cut, it came whipping off of her like a rubber band and smacked Johnny right in the face."  Roy laughed, while Chet roared. "It wasn't that funny, it could have put my eye out," Johnny said seriously, trying to get them to stop laughing.  They laughed even harder at Johnny's protest.  "I'm telling you it's not that funny." Yes, it is," Chet squeaked out between fits of laughter, tears of mirth forming in his eyes. "No, it's not," Johnny stated again. "Come on Johnny, if it had happened to anybody but you, you'd be sitting here laughing just as hard as Chet."  Roy told him, still chuckling. "It's still not funny," he said and then cracked a grin.  "Yeah, okay, I guess it was pretty funny." "Glad you finally think so," Roy smiled at Johnny. "Alright, it's my turn," Johnny told him, taking a sip of beer and then setting it down.  "Roy and I got a call about a child trapped in the bathroom.  We get to the scene, and there's this lady, saying my baby! My baby!, My baby's trapped in the bathroom.  So we head in.  I decided that we didn't need to break the door down, since it was one of those old one's that's pretty easy to jimmy.  So I got down by the door lock, while Roy was right behind me talking to the girl, asking her what her name was, and telling her that we'll be right in to help her.  I got the lock jimmied open, and both Roy and I get our first look at the girl trapped in the bathroom.  And there she was in all her glory, trapped in the bubble bath, with her big toe stuck in the faucet."  Johnny started to laugh and even Roy had to chuckle. "Okay, what's so funny about a little girl with her toe stuck in the faucet?" Chet asked. "Chet, the little girl was about 21 years old," Johnny finally managed out between laughter. "21? No kidding?   Really, so did you pull her toe out, Johnny?"  "No, he hightailed it out of there, and left me to deal with it," Roy answered. "You did what?" Chet looked back over towards Johnny. "Well, what was I supposed to do? I thought she was a little girl.  I wasn't expecting a full grown woman." "You passed up the chance to rescue a damsel in distress, and left her to the old married guy?"  he teased.  "Look, I told you, she wasn't what I was expecting," Johnny said getting defensive. "Relax Johnny, Chet's just trying to get under your skin," Roy laid a restraining hand on Johnny's arm. "Yeah, I guess."  "I'm so glad I haven't had any runs with strange ladies," Chet bragged. "Oh yeah, you think so? Huh, Chet?  What about Christie?" Johnny asked him. "Who?" "Christie, the reporter.  Remember, the women's libber, that went on that dumpster fire with you?" he reminded Chet. "Oh, that Christie." "Yeah, that Christie," Johnny mocked, imitating Chet. "Okay, you got me on that one.  Man she sure made a mess out of a simple dumpster fire."  "It's amazing the amount of stupid, silly things we see in the line of duty," Roy said.  They all became thoughtful for a moment, sipping their beers.  Finally Johnny broke the silence.  "You know Roy, I think there's a reason for that.  If we didn't see all the silly things, the heartbreaking ones would have driven us insane by now." "You might be on to something there, Johnny," Roy admitted tipping his beer in Johnny's direction. "Yeah, I think Johnny's right.  I mean we've seen a lot of awful things.  I think we needed a laugh every once in a while to keep our balance in life," Chet told them thoughtfully. "So that's the reason for the phantom?" Johnny asked him, sipping his beer. "When it comes right down to it, yeah.  I think that is the reason for the phantom, or the CPR dummy in my trunk, or the countless other pranks we've pulled on each other over the years." "You know, thinking back on it all, I'm just glad we had such a tight knit shift, that cared enough about each other to keep us all laughing," Roy said. "Yeah, I guess you're right.  But we always knew what the limit was, didn't we?" Johnny asked. "What do you mean?" Chet looked at Johnny. "I mean, we always knew when a prank would be too much for someone at the time."  Looking off in the distance for a moment, Johnny's eyes turned towards Chet.  "You know I still haven't forgotten about the water catapult in the dish cupboard," Johnny told him. "Which time was that?" "Remember, we'd just come back from a pretty bad run.  I think we lost the patient. . . " "Yeah, I think it was a kid too."  Roy added. "Yeah, man, those kid runs, I always hated them.  Especially when you lose them, it kind of gets you right here," Johnny laid his hand on his chest.  "So much potential, and it's all over just like that," he snapped his fingers. "Oh, yeah!  The time I told you not to open the dish cupboard.  I remember that.  Yeah, that's exactly why I stopped you. I knew you couldn't have handled it right then." "I don't think I ever said thank you for that," Johnny admitted. "You didn't have to, I knew," Chet replied. ****************** Joanne tapped Jennifer and Tarina on the arm; one finger raised to her lips in a gesture for them to keep quiet and motioned them to follow her out of the kitchen.  Jenny and Tarina took the hint and followed Joanne out to the living room. "What's the matter Mom?" Jennifer asked as they all sat down again. "We shouldn't have heard that," Joanne told them. "What do you mean? I think it kind of showed what kind of wonderful guys they are," Tarina replied, picturing Johnny in her mind again. "That's why we shouldn't have heard that." "I don't understand Mom," Jennifer shot her mother a confused look. "Do you honestly think they would have said the same things if they knew we could hear them?"  Joanne asked her. "I don't know." "Well, I do. I've been married to your dad for a long time, and been a fireman's wife for a long time too.  That little moment that just happened, it was meant for them only.  They'd never have gotten so serious and explained how they feel about losing their patients if we'd been there." "Why is that?" Tarina asked. "Because it's part of the bond they all share, one that we're not allowed into," Joanne said. "Mom, doesn't it make you mad that dad doesn't tell you everything?" "It used to but I finally realized that those guys out there are part of the reason your dad always stayed healthy.  I'm not just talking about physically either.  Jennifer when you're married to Jim and you see him come home from work everyday, you'll understand what I mean.  Jim is going to see some pretty terrible things at work, and most of the time, he's not going to tell you anything about it." "Yes he will Mom.  He has to talk about it to someone," Jennifer protested, not believing Jim could never tell her everything. "Jennifer, that's what he has a partner for.  He's going to be spending a lot of time with…Steve is it?" "Yes Mom, Steve Campbell." "Trust me sweetheart, Jim will hold stuff back from you.  I'm asking you now not to let it upset you. He's not going to want to bring work home with him.  The best advice I can ever give you is to make sure you nurture his relationship with Steve.  It will not only ease your mind, but Jim's as well." Tarina sat listening to the conversation and realized for the first time what a wonderful woman her best friend's mother was.  She couldn't help but be envious of her brother Jim marrying into this wonderful family. "So exactly how did you nurture Mr. DeSoto's and John's relationship?" she wondered.  Thinking for a moment Joanne finally replied. "Well, I invited Johnny over as often as possible and made sure he always knew he was welcome.  He never had to wait for an invitation.  If he felt the need to see Roy, he could just pop over.  I didn't protest when he wanted to go fishing or camping with Johnny.  While they were working they were under a lot of stress and tension.  They needed to spend some healthy time alone doing guy things," Joanne shrugged. "Have you ever wondered what else Johnny did to relieve his stress mom?" Jennifer joined back into the conversation. "He looked after his ranch and his horses, went bowling, and played pool with the other single guys." "I didn't exactly mean that Mom," Jennifer smirked. "Jennifer!  I never pried into Johnny's love life.  It's was none of my business and it still isn't." "Well, he is a nice looking man.  You can't deny that, can you? There must have been women in his life." Jennifer continued. "I'm sure there were and probably still are, but like I said it's none of my business." "What's none of your business?" Roy asked as he walked into the room with Johnny and Chet following. "Oh, nothing dear.  What are you guys doing inside?" she asked hoping her husband would forget his question. "It's starting to rain," Chet volunteered as he made his way over to the couch to sit down beside Tarina. "Johnny, Chet, have you met my friend Tarina?  She's Jim's sister." "Yes we've had the pleasure Jenny."  Tarina noticed Johnny taking a quick look at her as he spoke and couldn't help but wonder if it had been a polite acknowledgement of her presence or if he was checking her out.  She silently hoped for the latter.  Now that she had a better look at him, without Chet's interference, she realized just how handsome he was.  Thinking back to the conversation that had just been interrupted, she also wondered if there was a woman in his life.  Chris came through the door and noticed the two new arrivals.  "Hi guys.  Glad to see you could make it." "Thanks Chris.  Glad to see you come bearing gifts.  Johnny and I just finished the last two brewskis," Chet replied. Chris went to the kitchen to put some beers in the fridge.  Jim walked into the room carrying some snacks and a bag of ice.  Chet got up and offered his help taking the bag of ice out of Jim's arms.  "Thanks."  They joined Chris in the kitchen. "So Uncle Johnny, do you have any plans while you're here?" Jen asked. "No, not really.  Other than taking a hike, I just plan on spending time with old friends," he replied looking over to Roy. "Well I'm extremely happy you came.  It makes Roy's retirement extra special."  Joanne looked into Roy's eyes knowing he felt the same way. "Man, I can't believe you're actually retired!  You're too young to be retired.  What are you going to do with yourself Pally?" "To tell you the truth, I haven't given it a moments thought." "Well I for one, don't know what I'd do with myself.  I still need action and chaos in my life." "Well maybe one day you'll feel the need to slow down partner," Roy offered. "Yeah well maybe, but I can't imagine it." "Well maybe something significant in your life could change your mind Uncle Johnny," Jennifer quipped. "Trust me, when it comes to Gage, there's never anything significant," Chet cracked returning to the room with a bowl of chips in each hand. "I take offense to that." "Go ahead." Chet shrugged. "As Hank would say, would you two twits cut it out!" Roy chuckled. "Now that's a name I haven't been called in a long time," Johnny remarked. "Takes you back doesn't it?" Chet said fondly. "Sure does."  The room became quiet as the three former co-workers silently thought back to the days when they drove each other crazy but somehow managed to become closer friends than they could ever imagine. "Do you remember the time we responded to the game of lacrosse at the University?"  Johnny turned to Roy. "How could I forget?  Boy those women were crazy." "What happened?" Jim asked. "These woman, well no, they were more like girls really, well anyway, one minute their trying to kill each other, hitting each other with sticks, kicking each other, scratching, punching and all sorts of nasty things and the next thing you know, their the best of friends?  Man they were nuts," he started to chuckle. "Yeah John's victim wanted him to look at her rear." "So did you Johnny?" Chet looked towards his pal. "NO!  She had a twisted ankle.  I looked after that.  Man some people sure are demented.  Let me tell ya Jim, we sure could have used more police back up on that call.  I mean, these girls were swinging at each other and everything," Johnny shook his head. "Yeah I know what you mean.  I see some pretty crazy things myself," Jim retorted. "Remember the lady who was trying to cook dinner Johnny?" "You mean the one cooking for her new boyfriend and his mother?  Yeah I remember her." "What did she do?" Chris asked. "Well she didn't cook dinner," Johnny laughed. "She did manage to set fire to her curtains though," Roy explained. "And that was after we had already responded to her address twice before.  First she had her hair stuck in a grinder and managed to burn her hand while we were there," Johnny quipped. "Yeah and the second time she had her hand stuck in a mixer.  Boy she really needed a cook," Roy laughed. "And each time we ended up having to climb in through the window because she kept locking her door.  Man I was happy when she finally decide to go out to a movie," Johnny continued to laugh. "Well you guys know better than anyone the strange circumstances people can get themselves into," Chet mentioned. Jenny and Tarina exchanged looks trying not to laugh.  Tarina was trying to picture Johnny being slapped in the face with a girdle and Jennifer tried to picture her shy father trying to get a grown woman's toe out of a bathtub faucet.  They each smiled. "What are the grins for?" Jim asked his fiancée and sister, knowing them well enough to know they were sharing some sort of inside joke. "Nothing," Jennifer said trying to contain the laugh that was making it's way up to her throat from her belly. "I know those looks, you're hiding something."  Johnny had been trying desperately not to look in Tarina's direction from the moment he'd come into the room from outside.  He took advantage of the room's attention on the two young women sitting and laughing on the other side of the room, and started to assess the young lady.  He knew she was too young for him, but he still found himself attracted to her.  She was tall and slender, but not too slender.  Her light brown hair was straight and hung just below her shoulders.  He wanted to reach out and touch it; it looked so soft.  She had a large beautiful smile that captured his heart the moment she had opened the door.  Suddenly he realized she was looking at him, straight into his eyes.  He fought the instinct to look away and instead threw her a lop-sided grin.  For some reason he found the moment very erotic. She had been listening to Roy, Joanne and Chet reminisce about some game show Jennifer's parents had been on back in the 70's when she noticed Johnny looking at her.  Her eyes followed his as they shifted over her body, taking in what she could offer she assumed.  His eyes finally found hers and he smiled at her.  She wasn't sure what she was feeling exactly, but she knew it radiated from the man across the room.  She could almost feel his eyes touching her.  She finally looked away not able to handle the intensity of the moment.  Never in her thirty-three years had she had such a strong sensation from someone she didn't know.  She was sitting quietly thinking about her feelings and if she should act upon them, or not, when she heard his voice. "So Chris, where are Cyndi and the kids?" "Oh, my son Ryan wasn't feeling very well so she took him and my daughter home after dinner." "That's too bad.  I was looking forward to getting to know her better.  Although I have the feeling I'll have to be on my best behavior," he chuckled. "Why?" Chris asked confused.  Jennifer laughed, "I think he's referring to Casie.  She didn't exactly give him a warm welcome." "Oh man!  That must be some sort of record Johnny.  You're even striking out with four year olds now." "Ha ha Chet, very funny.  She was just looking out for her grandpa," he pointed towards Roy. "And I take it you're the big bad wolf?" Chet asked. "Something like that." "What's the problem?" Chris asked not liking the sound of his daughter not watching her manners. "Oh she's not very happy about the time your dad tried spending the night at my apartment when your house was being fumigated," Johnny and Chet laughed.  "What a night from hell that was!" Roy chimed in. Tarina piped up, "I think that's one of my favorite stories." "You know, it seems every new person I've met connected to this family knows a lot more about me than I do them," he glanced towards Tarina, wondering what stories she'd heard. "Do you guys hold some sort of John Gage trivia night?"  Everyone in the room laughed.  "No of course not Johnny, but your name does come up quite often," Joanne confessed.  Chet chose that moment to get to his feet, "Well some of us in the room still have to work for a living.  I'm gonna head out.  You want me to drive you back to your hotel Johnny?" Johnny frowned and Roy piped up, "I can give you a ride back Johnny, if you'd like to stay a little longer." "Okay sure. I'm gonna stay Chet.  Thanks." "Sure no problem Pal."  Roy and Joanne got up to walk Chet to the door and say their good-byes leaving Johnny in the room with the younger crowd.  He looked across the room at the young woman.  "So Tarina what do you do for a living?" "I'm a Radio Announcer at a local radio station here in LA."  She wasn't sure if she'd answered his question correctly.  She was trying desperately to ignore Jennifer whom she could see out of the corner of her eye, raising her eyebrows up and down at her.  Ever since Jennifer and her brother had announced their engagement, Jennifer had been on a one-woman crusade to find her someone.  She had to admit that Jennifer's most recent "set up" was a welcome one. "She's not just any announcer John.  She's the best!"  Jim sang the praises of his kid sister. "Jim!" Tarina responded. "What?" "Don't exaggerate." "I'm not. You are the number one listened to announcer in the city!" "No I'm not. I'm only number one in my time slot." "Well doesn't matter, a guy can still be proud of his kid sister can't he?" "Well some can, some can't," Chris made a face at Jennifer. "What, you're not proud of me?" "Like I said, some can and some can't." "Oh very funny Chris.  If you're so smart tell me, how are you getting home tonight?" "Oh jeez, I didn't think about that." "Thought so." "I can give you a ride Chris," Tarina offered. "Thanks." "No problem." After shooting the breeze for another hour or so, the room finally had only two occupants left.  "So what are you're plans for tomorrow, or do you have any?" Roy asked. "Yeah, I'm going to visit Pam Burke." "Pam?  I didn't realize you'd stayed in contact with her after all these years?" "Actually I haven't.  For some reason I've just decided I'd like to catch up with her.  I talked to Vince Howard this morning.  He gave me her new address." "That's great Johnny.  I'm sure she'll be glad to see you." "I hope so.  Roy, I'm getting tired, do you mind taking me to my hotel now?" "Sure not a problem.  And you know Johnny, you were more than welcome to stay with us." "Yeah, I know. I just didn't want to be in the way. Besides we haven't spent a twenty-four hour period together in fifteen years.  I'm sure we've both grown pretty set in our ways.  I don't think Jo could have put up with us," he chuckled.  As promised Roy drove Johnny back to the hotel and his waiting bed.  Roy returned home to his own, finding Joanne still awake and waiting for him.  Roy smiled still not believing how wonderful it was now that the kids were both out of the house and they could spend quality time together without having to worry about being interrupted. ************** The next morning, Johnny slowly rolled out of bed and into the shower.  Feeling refreshed he dried himself off and headed over to the mirror to shave.  Looking at himself he thought about how much he'd physically changed since he'd left Los Angeles.  He'd finally tired of his longer shaggy hair, he was proud to say that now in his mid fifties, it was still jet black with only a few gray spots on either side of his face and a little bit along his forehead.  He now wore it short, trim and tidy.  'I guess you could say I'm in the group of men you would call distinguished,' he thought to himself and couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips.  He placed a hand on his stomach thinking about what Dixie had said to him a few days before, about finally managing to put on a few pounds.  He was proud of this as well.  He could still be referred to as slim or trim, but he now looked as though he actually ate a half-decent meal once in a while, which of course he did.  Still a confirmed bachelor he'd finally taught himself how to cook healthy meals.  Boy wouldn't the guys be surprised!   He picked up his shaving cream and started to spread the soft fluffy substance over his five-o'clock shadow.  After he was finished shaving, he put on some aftershave and finished up by brushing his teeth and his hair.  He returned to his room and dressed himself in a pair of blue jeans and a blue cotton shirt, buttoning it up, tucking it in and rolling up his sleeves.  He put on his running shoes, put his wallet in his back pocket, grabbed his keys and headed out the door to find a place to eat. A few hours later he rolled his rental car into a narrow driveway, put the vehicle in park and got out.  He looked up at the four-bedroom house placing a hand above his eyes shielding them from the California suns streaming rays.  The house was a soft yellow with green trim.  The yard was neatly cared for with nice flower gardens accentuating the lush green grass.  He finally started up the path to the front door and gave it a soft knock patiently waiting for a response.  'Maybe I should have called first,' he was thinking to himself when the door finally opened.  A young blond haired woman opened the door. "Yes?" "Uh…I was looking for a woman named Pam.  Maybe I have the wrong house." "Oh no, my mom's name is Pam.  I'll get her for you." Having not been invited in, Johnny stood on the front porch silently trying to calculate how old Drew's daughter would be now. "Oh my…is that you John Gage?"  A woman a few years younger then Johnny asked. "The one and only." He couldn't have stopped his huge grin if he'd tried.  She opened the screen door.  "Oh gosh come on in.  What are you doing here?  The last I heard you were living in Hawaii."  Walking into the house he placed his arms around his friend and hugged her finding himself not wanting to let go.  Holding her brought back that awful day he had to tell her that her husband, Drew Burke, a member of the LAPD had been fatally injured on the job.  "I still am," he answered her question. "What brings you to LA?" she asked as they finally finished their embrace.  She took his hand in hers and led him into the living room to have a seat. "Roy DeSoto retired the other day.  I came to be with him." "Really?  Retired.  He can't be that old!" "No he's still young.  He just decided it was time to hang up his helmet and spend some time with his wife." He wished he could take back this last comment, not wanting to hurt his friend in anyway. "That's nice.  So what about you?  Why in the world are you in Hawaii?  Are you still with the fire department?  Can I get you something to drink Johnny?" Before he could reply to any of these questions a man Johnny judged to be his own age walked into the room.  "I thought I heard a knock on the door."  Pam stood and wrapped her arm around the man's waist. "John, this is my husband.  Mike Patterson.  Mike this is an old friend of mine John Gage." He stood up putting his hand out to shake the other man's hand.  "Nice to meet you Mike." "Are you the same John Gage who was once a paramedic for the county?" Mike asked. "Yes." "Oh Pam's mentioned you.  It's nice to meet you to John."  The look in his eyes conveyed to Johnny he knew the story and was happy that Pam had had someone in her life during that grief-stricken time.  Someone who couldn't take the pain of losing her first husband away, but someone who was able to share in her grief. He turned to Pam; "Well I have to get to work.  I'll see you later sweetheart."  He placed a kiss on her cheek, gave a wave to Johnny and left the house. Johnny placed himself back onto the couch.  "So you remarried?" "Yeah, Mike and I met about eight years ago, we've been married for five. Would you like some coffee Johnny?" He didn't have the heart to tell her he only drank decaffeinated coffee now so graciously accepted her offer.   As he watched her leave the room he tried to decide how he felt about the latest news of Drew's widow being married.  He didn't notice when she re-entered with two coffees in her hands. "Johnny?" "Oh sorry Pam, I was just thinking.  Didn't hear you come back."  He took the black coffee out of her hands.  "You remembered," he smiled taking a sip of the hot beverage. "Yeah," she smiled.  "There are some things I choose to forget about that time in my life John, but you're not one of them.  You helped me through the most difficult part of my life.  We drank a lot of coffee together into the wee hours of a lot of mornings." "It was the least I could do. I always felt guilty that I couldn't do more for you." "You did a lot for me John, please never feel guilty about what you couldn't do for me." "Okay, it's a deal.  So how are you now?" "Great!  I didn't think I'd ever be happy again, but it happened.  When Mike first asked me to marry him I turned him down.  I just couldn't take the guilt I felt.  I was convinced that if I remarried I'd be diminishing what Drew and I had.  But Mike was very patient.  He let me take a whole year to sort out my feelings before he asked me again.  By that time, I knew Drew wouldn't want me to be alone for the rest of my life.  So I said yes and haven't regretted it for a minute." "That's great Pam.  I'm happy for you and you're right, Drew would want you to be happy.  So how's Theresa?" "Well as you saw for yourself, she's no longer a child.  It's hard to believe she's a fully-grown adult now.  She's getting married next month.  That's going to be hard day.  But it'll be beautiful none-the-less."  Her eyes filled with tears thinking about how much she wished her daughter's father could be there to see his baby get married. Johnny got up off the couch and sat down beside her on the love seat placing his arm around her.  "He'll be there Pam.  He'll have a smile on his face beaming with pride.  Nothing could keep him away from his daughter's wedding." She leaned into her friend's shoulder and softly cried.  Johnny responded by wrapping his other arm around her and held her until she'd cried herself out.  "I'm sorry John, you know I still think of Drew every single day, but that's the first time I've cried in years."  She took a tissue out of the box sitting on the end table wiping her eyes. "Don't be sorry, it's an emotional time for you, it's not everyday your only daughter gets married.  I understand." "So John, did you finally settle down or are you still the confirmed bachelor you always were?" "No, I'm still single." "Is they're anyone special in your life?" "No, not at the moment," he flashed her a grin. "One day Johnny Gage, some special lady is going to blind-side you." "Yeah maybe, but I have to tell ya I plan on keeping my eyes wide open." After spending the next hour and a half catching up with his old friend, he was invited to stay for lunch.  He apologized, explaining he had made plans to go out with Roy and was suppose to be at his house in twenty minutes. "You're going to late," she warned. "Yeah well that's nothing new," he smiled.  Bidding each other farewell, the old friends embraced and promised to keep in touch from now on. ******** Arriving at Roy's fifteen minutes late, Johnny found him in the kitchen with the upper portion of his body under the kitchen sink. "Aren't we supposed to be going out?" Johnny teased. "Well if you'd been on time, Joanne wouldn't have come home and put me to work," Roy's muffled voice responded. "I'd of thought you'd have that honey-do list done by now." "Very funny Johnny, very funny."  Roy climbed out from under the sink with a rag in his hand.  Getting himself up off the floor he turned on the faucet and bent down looking under the sink.  Satisfied with the job he'd done he started to wash his hands under the running water and dried them off. ********** Roy pulled his truck into the employee parking at the back of the building and put it into park.  "Come on Junior."  He patted Johnny on the leg before hopping out of his vehicle.  He walked around to the front of the '99 Ford Explorer meeting Johnny by the hood.  Both of the men looked at the parked vehicles in the Apparatus Bay.  Johnny turned his head to the right, squinting at the hanging hoses.   Slapping Roy on the shoulder he said, "as your lovely daughter would say, it's nice to see some things never change." The former partners walked into the opening in the wall and made their way into the all too familiar kitchen.  Roy having been in the room a few times over the years as a chief didn't hesitate in sitting at the table.  Johnny however not being in the room in over fifteen years took it all in slowly.  It looked pretty much the same with the exception of some new furniture, a VCR by the TV, a microwave oven and an automatic dishwasher.  He shook his head and turned to Roy.  "Man this is like stepping into the twilight zone." "Hey Chief DeSoto, what brings you by?" 51's Engineer Louis Bishop asked turning to see who had come into the room.  He was surprised to see the recently retired chief sitting at the table and a dark haired man looking at him. "Just reliving some memories Louis.  This is my former partner when I was stationed here, Johnny Gage.  John this is the station's Engineer Louis Bishop." "Nice to meet ya." Johnny extended his hand smiling at the younger man. "You too John.  You and Chief DeSoto are pretty infamous around here." Looking at Roy, Johnny just shook his head letting a small chuckle escape from between his lips.  Man seems all of Los Angeles knows who I am he thought to himself.  "You picked a good day to pop in.  Inspector Lopez is scheduled to drop by to question us about a fire last week.  Would either of you like a cup of coffee?" "Sure" Roy replied. "No thanks," Johnny shook his head. "Don't tell me you've given up coffee?" Roy asked shocked. "No, but I only drink decaf these days.  My system just can't take all that coffee anymore.  Keeps me up and makes me shake..." He never finished his sentence because 51's engineer let out a huge bellow.  Both Johnny and Roy turned to look at the man, finding him standing in a pool of water; his hair soaking wet dripping onto his already wet work shirt.  The former partners both sat with a smirk on their faces.  "Like you said Junior.  Some things never change." Just then the station's Captain, Steve Dunlop, entered the room with his paramedics following close behind.  He took a quick glance at his engineer and than at the stranger sitting at the table.  He was just about to ask him if he could help him with anything when he noticed Roy seated at the table as well.  "Roy, what brings you by?  I figured you'd be out fishing by now?" Roy stood taking Steve's hand in his.  "I was going out for lunch with my friend.  When we realized we were so close to the station we decided to stop by.  Steve this is my former partner John Gage.  Johnny this is Captain Steve Dunlop." "Good to meet you Gage, I've heard nothing but good things about your work." "Thanks Steve, nice to meet you to.  I see you're taking good care of the place."  Johnny waved a hand through the air. "Thanks, I do my best.  Chief Stoker left me a great crew." He smiled at his paramedics.  "By the way, these two are Rob Collins and Kim Stevens.  They're my paramedics.  A very good team, best in the county." "Wouldn't expect anything less from 51."  Johnny smiled taking first Robs hand in a firm handshake and than Kim's delicate hand. "You know Chief, you and John are more than welcome to join us for lunch.  Rob's made some of his famous fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce.  It'd be great to have the great DeSoto/Gage team regale us with some stories." Roy looked over at Johnny who just shrugged his shoulders.  "Sure, we'd enjoy it."  Soon the rest of Station 51's current A-Shift was coming into the kitchen and being introduced to Johnny, they all sat and ate.  John and Roy kept the younger gang entertained with story after story of some tales long forgotten by the walls surrounding them.   Just as they were telling them about the time they had come upon a traffic accident with the long retired Doctor Brackett as a victim, Marco Lopez walked into the room.  "Well, well, well…do my eyes deceive me or do I see both Roy DeSoto and Johnny Gage eating at the table?" He smiled at his former station mates. "Hey Inspector, would you care to join us?" Collins asked. "No I've eaten, but I could use some coffee."  Seeing Collins start to get up, Marco raised his hands to his chest.  "I can get it Rob, I still remember my way around this kitchen." "I take it you're here to ask us about the Jensen fire?" Captain Dunlop asked.  "As a matter of fact I am."  Marco said taking a seat beside the captain.  "It was definitely arson, but we are concerned about the man who may have set the fire.  Captain Kelly from 110's and his engineer both remember seeing a man in the crowd with a definite smile on his face.  From the description they gave us we have reason to believe he's a very dangerous man.  He got out of prison last month.  During the eighties he set over fifty fires and killed more than thirty-five people, and who knows how many injured." John let out a low whistle shaking his head.  "Man what makes a person do something like that?  That's sick." "I hear ya John.  Well, do any of you remember seeing anything?"  51's captain glanced at his crewmembers.  A round of "No's" accompanied by shaking heads was the response. "How bout you Roy?  If I remember correctly you were at that fire."  Marco turned to Roy, hoping he could collaborate Chet's story.  "Yeah I was there Marco, but I was too busy supervising to see anything, sorry.  Also, I was on the West Side of the building.  If I remember correctly, station 110 was on the North side.  Stoker was supervising over there, you may want to talk to him." "I will, thanks.  So what brings you and John here?" "Oh we just came by so Johnny could take a look at the station.  I guess he was feeling a little homesick," Roy smirked taking a drink from his coffee mug. "I even got to see a water bomb go off, and for once I wasn't the recipient!" Johnny joked taking a drink of his milk. "The Phantom still lurks among these walls!" Marco laughed.  "Boy I have to tell you, there are times when I miss those days." "Man, same here," Johnny agreed looking around the room, "Same here." "Do you think you'd ever consider coming back?  From what I understand Rampart's looking for a Paramedic Instructor," Kim asked. "No, my life is in Hawaii now.  I can't imagine leaving it, I love what I'm doing way too much." "What exactly is it that you do John?" Captain Dunlop questioned. "I'm Captain of a USAR team in Maui." "I see, I can only imagine the kinds of trouble people can get themselves into on an Island with extinct volcanoes and those beautiful mountains." "You'd never believe it.  People on vacation sometimes forget their common sense on the main land.  People who've never hiked a day in their life will suddenly decide they can climb up a mountain."  Johnny shook his head in amazement.  "They usually end up airlifted off the mountain straight to a hospital.  They just don't use their heads.  It's crazy." "So you're no longer with a fire department at all?"  Louis asked. "No not really.  I just supplement their efforts." "Do you miss it at all?" Kim asked. "Sometimes.  Mostly when we arrive at a fire to help the paramedics and we can't get in because the fire is too out of control.  It's real hard for me not to pick up a hose and help out." Just then the klaxon's sounded.  "Station 51…traffic accident with injuries…corner of Ogilvee and Johnson…time out 14:15." The six-person crew jumped from the table and ran out of the room, leaving three former station mates sitting at the table.  "Well I've gotta go.  Will I get a chance to see you again before you leave John?" "Why don't you and Stephanie come over for dinner on Saturday night.  I'm going to try and get all of us together," Roy offered. "Sure Roy sounds great. See ya Saturday."  With that Marco left, once again on the trail of a serial arsonist. "Well Junior, let's get out of here."  Roy got up and started to gather all the dishes up.  Johnny helped by picking up the glasses and mugs.  They each walked over to the dishwasher and placed the dirty dishes inside.  Finding the detergent under the sink, Roy shook some out of the box and into the machine, turning it on before he and Johnny left the room.  Johnny stopped at the door turning to look behind him.  He was surprised at how he felt seeing Roy and Marco sitting at the table together after fifteen years.  He started to really look forward to Saturday night, hoping to see all the guys together again would help him deal with the home sickness he had to admit he was starting to feel. ******* The DeSoto's back yard was a rather joyous spot to be Saturday evening in Southern California.  Six men whom hadn't worked together in years were milling about, remembering days gone by and some old friends lost along the way.  When the doorbell rang, Joanne went to open it.  Doctor Mike Morton and his wife Tammy stood patiently waiting. "Mike, Tammy come on in.  It's nice to see you could make it.  The guys are in the back yard.  The wives are in the kitchen catching up." "Well I think I'll head out back then, what about you Tam?" Mike asked his wife. "I think I'll stay in the kitchen were it's safe."  She followed Joanne into the kitchen finding Cheryl Stanley, Beth Stoker, Stephanie Lopez, Dixie McCall and Sally Early all in the room chatting. The woman exchanged pleasantries and poured themselves glasses of wine. "So Beth, I hear you and Mike have a grandchild on the way. "Congratulations!"  Cheryl Stanley announced and placed her arm around her longtime friend. "Thank-you Susan.  Can you believe I'm going to be a grandmother?  Where did the time go?" "I couldn't tell you.  It seems like just yesterday Christopher was born and now he has two children of his own.  How did all of this happen?"  Joanne questioned. "It really sneaks up on you girls.   Just wait another few years and see what kinds of questions you'll be asking yourselves then," Dixie laughed. "Do you think the guys ask themselves these same questions?  About time and all?" Beth asked. Stephanie took the bait.  "I hope so.  Do you think they look at themselves in the mirror and wonder who the old guy is that's looking back at them?"  She laughed, knowing she sometimes was shocked when she looked in the mirror and no longer saw a thirty year old woman looking back. "They better!  If they don't they should, that's all I can say," Tammy cracked. "Well someone tell me how Johnny manages to stay so fit and young looking?" Beth asked. "Probably because he's still in a physically challenging job," Dixie suggested. "Yeah probably," the rest chimed in. The doorbell rang once again and Joanne excused herself.  Opening the door she found Kelly Brackett standing on the other side.  "Oh my Kel, come on in.  It's been a very long time."  Joanne sounded pleased to see him. "Too long Joanne," Kel said as he stepped into the house.  "How have you been?" "Very good thank you, and yourself?" she inquired. "Can't complain." "The guys are in the backyard if you wish to join them.  Or you could come back into the kitchen with me and join us girls.  Dixie's there," Joanne offered. "Well as tempting as you make it sound, I'd really like to see Roy and offer my congratulations since I wasn't able to make the ceremony." "Okay, but don't say I didn't offer you the choice," she smiled warmly. "Don't worry Joanne, I think I know what I'm walking into," he chuckled.  When Kelly walked into the backyard the first person to see him was Roy.  He made his way over and offered him a beer. "Sure Roy, I'd love one.  So how do you feel?" "Pretty good Doc. I can't wait to spend more time with Joanne and my family." "I don't blame you, life's too short not to take some time for yourself." "So how are you enjoying your retirement?"  "Loving it.  I no longer have the stress of running a department or trying to convince people that are really sick they should spend some time in the hospital.  Or trying to convince them they're not sick and should go home. I've left it all to Mike.  People sure are strange creatures." "I understand.  I don't think I'll miss the heat, smoke and dangers of my job, but I am going to miss the people I worked with," Roy handed Brackett a beer. "Yeah I'm sure you will, but don't worry.  Given time it'll pass." "Thanks.  Why don't you come over and say hi to Johnny." "You're kidding! Gage is here?" "Yeah he came in to surprise me, and boy did it work.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw him," Roy laughed lightly placing an arm around Brackett's shoulders and guiding him towards Johnny. "Well, well, well!  The maverick returns!"  Brackett exclaimed as he approached one of his all time favorite paramedics. "Hey Doc, it's good to see ya!  How ya been?" Johnny responded to Kel. "Can't complain Johnny, how about yourself?  Is Hawaii treating you well?" "Sure is Doc.  So how's retirement treating you?" "Very well, no more stress in my life and I can ride my horses whenever I feel like it.  I'm sure you can appreciate that." he smiled. "Boy I envy you there. I was never able to ride mine as much as I'd have liked to." Just then the women made their way out onto the deck.  Johnny glanced up at them and felt a bit envious of his friends.  There were days when he came home from work and wished someone had been waiting for him, to ask him how his day had been.  Maybe already having made dinner for him, waiting to give him a back rub, or maybe just sit quietly with him.  It really didn't matter what she would be doing he supposed.  Not that there hadn't been women in his life.  Some of his relationships had even been serious.  One woman had even ended up living with him, but that didn't last long.  Laura had decided she couldn't take the stress of not knowing whether he was going to come home at the end of the day, end up in the hospital, or worse.  They found themselves at an impasse, he couldn't give up his job and she couldn't live with him if he didn't.  Reluctantly, they parted ways. Johnny shrugged his shoulders, excused himself from Kelly and walked over to Beth Stoker.  "Hi Johnny.  It's great to see you.  You're looking very well," she smiled and took Johnny into her arms. "Thanks Beth.  You're looking pretty fabulous yourself.  I can't believe you're going to be a grandmother.  Mike I can see having grandchildren but not you," he kissed her on the check. "Thanks Johnny.  The boys can't wait to see you.  They'll both be dropping by later with their wives. They were pretty excited when Mike told them you were in town.  You sure left an impression them." Johnny smiled.  He always liked Mike's boys, Steve and Tom; they were smart, funny and quiet.  Just like their father.  The last update he'd had on them was that Steve had joined the fire department, had just finished his paramedic training, and was getting married. Meanwhile Tom was in University on a soccer scholarship, studying communications, and would also be marrying that summer. That was three years ago.  Johnny wondered where the time had gone when a soft hand touched his arm.  Coming back to the here and now he noticed it was Jennifer's friend Tarina.  "Oh hi Tarina, sorry I didn't hear you come up.  Did you say something?" "Yeah, Mrs. DeSoto asked me if I'd give this to you," she handed Johnny a picture of himself with a very young Jennifer and Christopher.  The three of them were sitting in "Big Red" with helmets on; Jennifer was on Johnny's lap while Chris was sitting in Stoker's seat "driving" the engine.  Johnny started to laugh. "Holy cow, she was supposed to give me this picture about twenty five years ago.  I guess she's finally getting around to it.  Man, look how young we are!" He turned the picture towards Beth whom took it out of his hands. "Did Mike give you his permission?" she joked, joining Johnny in his laughter. "I'm sure he must have," Johnny grinned. "Beth have you met Tarina?" "No, I don't believe I have," she handed the picture back to Johnny and turned to the pretty woman standing next to him. "Oh, well Beth this is Tarina, Jennifer's friend and future sister-in-law.  Tarina this is Beth Stoker.  Her husband Mike was our station's Engineer.  He's a Battalion Chief now." The two women exchanged pleasantries while Johnny continued to look at the picture he'd long forgotten about.  Looking at the smiling faces of the DeSoto children, he felt a twinge of regret.  Not only because he'd missed a big chunk of their lives, but also for the children he'd never had.  He'd just never gotten serious enough about any of the women in his life, with the exception of Laura, to have any children of his own.  He always felt like a second father to Roy's children.  They wrote him letters and would send him pictures after he'd left, but he knew it wasn't the same as having his own.  It was probably the only regret he had in his life.  'Oh well Johnny, you made a promise to yourself a long, long time ago not to have any regrets.  Accept the decisions you've made in your life and keep looking forward.'  The laughter of the two women standing with him once again brought him out of his thoughts.  "It must be nice to know you have this second family to fall back on," Tarina was saying to Beth. "Yeah, well it is nice, but sometimes the guys could drive each other crazy.  My husband would just come home shaking his head some days.  I do however think, he misses these guys," Beth said poking Johnny lightly in the stomach. "Oh please Beth, Mike got involved in some pretty wild pranks over the years.  He just never admitted to it.  He tried to make believe he was the serious, sane one of the bunch.  But let me tell you, he can be a pretty fun-loving guy.  He just never lets it show that often." "Don't I know it," she smiled, looking across the backyard at her handsome husband who was busy trying to explain to Stephanie Lopez the theory behind his and Marco's entry into the firefighters invention contest in the mid 70's.  Meanwhile Chet was standing beside him laughing at what he thought was a dangerous contraption. "So when do you fly home Johnny?" Beth's attention returned to her husband's former crewmate. "Monday morning, unfortunately.  I could only manage a week off.  Just like here, summer's a pretty busy time of year in Hawaii." "That's too bad.  Try not to stay away so long next time." "Don't worry I don't plan on it.  I have every intention of coming back for Jen's wedding." "Good I look forward to seeing you again."  Turning to Tarina, who was taking a sip of her drink while watching Casie DeSoto play with Marco, she asked,  "Are you in the wedding party Tarina?" "Yes I am.  They wouldn't have been able to stop me," she smiled. "Boy can you believe Jennifer is getting married Johnny?" Beth asked. "No. I mean, it seems like just yesterday she was learning to ride a two wheeler," Johnny laughed.  "Boy was that a difficult task.  I remember Roy would get so frustrated.  He couldn't understand how come she just couldn't seem to master her balance.  I thought Joanne was going to strangle him," he shook his head at the memory. Tarina started to laugh at the thought of Jennifer learning to ride a bike.  She and Jen had met in their senior year of high school.  At that time Jen was trying desperately to convince her parents to let her buy a motorcycle.  Of course no matter what Jen said, her parents never did allow it.  It seemed kind of funny to think of her as a small child unable to ride a two-wheeler.  She looked up to see both Johnny and Beth looking at her.  It was then that she realized she'd laughed out loud.  "Sorry, I was just trying to picture Jennifer falling off of her bike." Beth Stoker smiled and excused herself to join her husband, leaving Johnny and Tarina by themselves.  Tarina was just starting to feel awkward when Johnny smiled that beautiful smile.  "Would you like another drink?" he asked having noticed her glass was empty.  She looked at it and then up at Johnny returning his smile.  "Yeah I would." "Are you native to California?" Johnny asked her while they walked slowly towards the DeSoto home. "No.  We moved here when I was in my final year of high school.  My father was transferred here from Detroit." "Detroit?  So you're used to cooler weather and snow during the winter," he smiled. "Yeah I really miss the snow.  Are you from here originally?" "No, I grew up in Bigfork Montana."  Seeing the young woman frown he helped her with the geography.  "It's North of Missoula and along Flathead Lake, if that helps any." "Not really," she admitted.  "Why'd you come here?" she asked while Johnny opened the door to the DeSoto's kitchen for her. "I was on a waiting list back home to join the fire department, and they called me to ask if I would mind them giving my name to the department here in LA.  I figured why not." "Why did they want to give them your name?" "Well, it probably would have taken a year to finally get into the training program back home.   LA had a big shortage of recruits at the time, so they asked the departments around the country if they could forward some of the names on other departments waiting lists.  That is if the people agreed."  Johnny shrugged as he reached for the bottle of wine in the fridge. He poured the liquid into Tarina's glass and returned it to the fridge.  He grabbed himself another beer.  He casually opened his bottle and was replacing the opener into a drawer when Chris came in with his son, Ryan.  He was softly crying as blood trickled down his leg. "Hey Ryan, what's the matter?" Johnny looked into the young boy's face as Chris walked up the stairs to the bathroom to get a face cloth. "I hurt my knee," the boy sniffed. "Hurts huh?" Ryan's only response was a small quick nod of his head.  Chris returned with a damp face cloth in his hand and knelt down in front of his son.  Ryan jerked away before his father could attempt to clean the gash on his six-year olds knee. "I want Grandpa to do it!" Ryan exclaimed.  Johnny noticed Chris sigh and his shoulders become a little tense while he continued trying unsuccessfully to relax his son.  "Ryan, Grandpa is busy right now.  Just let me do it." "But it's gonna hurt," he cried. "It won't make a difference whether it's me or Grandpa."  Chris's voice was getting tense as he looked up at his son's face noticing out of the corner of his eye that Johnny was walking towards them. "Can I give it a try sport?"  Johnny asked hesitantly, using the nickname he'd had for Chris as a child.  He knelt down beside Chris, not taking his eyes off of Ryan.  He didn't want to offend Chris, but he could tell Ryan was going to throw a fit soon. Ryan looked into Johnny's kind eyes and asked the most logical question.  "Are you a Grandpa too?" Johnny smiled, "No, but I've helped your Grandpa many times with young men just like yourself." The hurt child liked the way Johnny had referred to him as a man; he looked into his father's eyes.  Chris just nodded his head, letting his son know that the man would be just as gentle as his own grandfather would be.  Chris gave Johnny the face cloth. Johnny took the cloth and turned his full attention to Ryan.  "Okay Tiger.  Let's get you comfortable."  Johnny picked the boy up and placed him on a chair beside the table.  Before touching Ryan's wound he cautioned him.  "Alright Ryan, it might sting a bit but I'll be as fast as I can okay?" Ryan didn't like the statement but somehow he knew he could trust this man to be gentle even though he wasn't a grandfather.  He flinched as his knee protested the gentle touch of the damp cloth being placed upon it.  "Are you hurt anywhere else Ryan?" Johnny asked. "No, just my knee." "How'd ya get hurt?" "Fell off my bike." "You didn't bang your head did ya?"  Johnny noticed Ryan was wearing a black helmet with orange and yellow flames shooting down the sides. "No.  Grandpa told me I always have to wear my helmet so I don't get a cussion." Johnny's lips parted in a lop-sided grin.  "Yeah those cussions can be nasty.  Your Grandpa is a smart man."  A few minutes later the wound was cleaned and bandaged and Ryan jumped off the chair and ran outside. "Sorry Chris, I didn't mean to take over like that.  But you looked to be in just about as much pain as he was."  Johnny smiled at Chris while standing up. "That's ok John.  He wouldn't have let me do it anyway.  Whenever he gets hurt here he insists that dad patch him up." "Well I don't blame him.  Your dad was the best." "You both were from what I've been able to decipher.  Thanks again, I appreciate your help."  Chris said as he walked out the door.  Tarina who had been watching Ryan slowly relax as Johnny had tended to his wound smiled.  "Jen's right about you." "Bout what?"  Johnny asked startled, not realizing the woman was still in the room.  He turned to see her leaning against the counter still holding her glass of wine. "She always told me you had a way with kids.  I was starting to think Mr. DeSoto would have to be brought in." "Nah.  As much as I hated responding to a call that involved children, I always seemed to be able to relax them," he chuckled. "What?"  Tarina realized Johnny was chuckling for a reason. "Well, Roy always claimed it was because I was just an overgrown kid myself."  He smiled, "In some ways I think he was right." She returned his smile.  "Some childlike qualities are nice to have.  It usually means you don't take life too seriously." Roy poked his head into the kitchen.  "Supper's ready."  Looking at Johnny he smiled wondering if they'd bought enough food.  "Johnny, I imagine you're ready to eat!" "Well I won't have a problem with Joanne's food, but I hope your barbecuing skills have improved." He grabbed his beer off the table and walked towards the door and slapped Roy on the shoulder.  He held the door open and let Tarina exit before him. "What do ya mean?  I was always a great chef!" "Trust me partner, you're no Marco Lopez!"  "Yeah well no one can be that good." Tarina trailed behind the two best friends shaking her head in amusement.  She hoped that hers and Jennifer's friendship would remain close after she married Jim.  Jim, Jennifer, Tarina, and Johnny all sat at a small picnic table in a corner of the backyard with paper plates full of food.   Hank Stanley approached.  "Mind if I join you?" "Not at all Cap," Johnny replied sliding over to make room.  Hank glanced at Johnny and smiled, he realized that the younger man would probably always refer to him as Cap.  After all he was still a captain, not a chief, when Johnny had left. "You know John, I'm pretty proud of the fact that you're a captain now yourself.  I always knew Mike, Roy and Marco were ambitious and would advance," he sighed.  "Well what can I say? You're a captain, Chet's a captain, and a good one at that."  Hank just shook his head unable to voice his thoughts. "I know I wrote you a letter thanking you for the letter of recommendation you sent to my employer when I applied for the captaincy.  But I really am happy to get the chance to thank you in person Cap. I really do appreciate the kind words you had to say about me." "It was no problem John.  I meant every word I said.  You always had good leadership qualities, you're a quick and clear thinker and you have tremendous people skills.  It wasn't hard for me to assure your employer that you'd make a fine captain who could lead a rescue team in his sleep."  Hank placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. "Well Cap, I learned from the best," Johnny smiled.  "You know Johnny, I'm not going to argue with you.  I take great pride in the fact that I'm the only captain in the county's history to have all of his crew reach the rank of captain or higher." "Well like I said Hank, you were a great leader.  The most important thing I learned from you was the open door policy you had.  I make it a point of making sure my men and women know they can approach me about anything.  Whether it's professional or personal, it doesn't matter.  Their families have my home phone number and can call me anytime as well.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you how well my team performs when they know their captain cares about their personal lives and the people in them." "Yeah John, I know.  I always made it a point to get to know my men's families."  He looked over at Jennifer sitting across the table from him and smiled at her.  "Isn't that right Jen?" "Yes Hank, you were great to us.  We always got a phone call and a small present on our birthdays and at Christmas.  I have very fond memories of my dad's time under your command."  Jennifer assured her father's one time boss. "I have extremely fond memories myself Jen," Hank assured her.  "So John how big is your jurisdiction?"  Jim interrupted.  "Well Jim, my team covers the entire island of Maui, all of a small island just off of our coast called Kahoolawe, the island of Lanai and the northern tip of the big island of Hawaii." "How many members are in your team?" Hank asked.  "Well I have a pilot, a co-pilot and flight engineer for our helicopter, and a rescue team of five plus myself.  Just like in the fire department, we have three different shifts, which work on twenty four-hour rotations.  And there are usually four teams ready to go at any given time." "Wow, that's a lot of land to cover for such a small number of people," Jim whistled. "We hope to have another unit set up by the end of the year.  I'd prefer to see two or three more units myself." "Reminds me of the start of the paramedic program.  There sure weren't enough of you in the beginning," Hank shook his head. "That's exactly how it feels Hank.  I can tell you, by the end of our shift we're all pretty tired but of course we're supplementing the fire department, so we don't usually get called out as much as they do." "A small blessing I suppose." "I guess you could call it that.  At least I don't have to respond to any oddball calls anymore.  It's purely search and rescue." "You always were a good rescue man.  If I recall correctly, you'd usually be the first to scale a crane, climb a tree or enter a smashed up vehicle.  You seemed to thrive on it." "Yeah well I was young and fearless then.  To be honest I don't know why I still do it.  I guess I just like to help people who need my skills," Johnny shrugged his shoulders.  He watched Joanne approaching with a garbage bag in her hand.  "Any garbage here?" she asked.  Everyone at the table picked up their paper plates and threw them away.  Johnny looked into Jo's tired eyes. "Here let me take over."  He took the garbage bag out of her hands and continued around the back yard looking for more garbage. "Remind me to thank him later."  Joanne said as she watched Johnny walk away.  Hank laughed,  "Don't worry about it Joanne.  You know Johnny could never turn down helping out a pretty woman." "Thank you," she responded to the compliment.  Noticing Tarina sitting at the table she said,  "By the way, have you met Tarina, Jim's sister."  She nodded towards Jim. "Nice to meet you.  I'm Hank Stanley.  Jennifer's father's former boss."  Hank accepted the hand Tarina had reached out to him. "Were you the one in charge of Station 51?" she asked. "The one and only," he replied rubbing his hands together. "I've heard a lot of stories about you and your men," she commented.   "All good I hope?" he questioned. "Mostly," the young woman teased.  She scanned the backyard and found Johnny talking with two young men she judged to be roughly her own age.  She'd been introduced to them earlier and remembered them to be the sons of Mike and Beth Stoker.  Johnny had taken a seat beside them, the garbage bag still in his hand.  He was obviously deep in conversation with the two.  Hank followed her eyes and found they had landed upon John Gage, not the younger Stoker boys.  'Of course!' he thought to himself.  'John always did seem to manage to grab the attention of young women.  I guess some things in life never change,' he smiled to himself. Hours later the DeSoto back yard was clearing and was slowly being transformed back to normal.  Chet was stacking lawn chairs and Chris was clearing condiments off of a long make shift table his father had put together.  Johnny had grabbed another garbage bag and was clearing away any garbage he could find.  Jennifer and Tarina were placing the cups, glasses and wineglasses into the dishwasher that Joanne and Cyndi were bringing in to them.  After Tarina cleaned off a dish handed to her by the now departing Joanne, Jennifer took it from her and placed it into the dishwasher.  "So, what do you think now?" Jen asked her future sister-in-law. "Think about what?" Cyndi asked curiously, not realizing the question wasn't for her. "About Johnny," Jennifer replied.  "Ohhhh Johnny," Cyndi sang.  "I for one think he's a rather attractive man.  The pictures I've seen don't do him justice." Jennifer looked towards her sister-in-law with a smirk.  She couldn't believe Cyndi could see past her brother long enough to notice anyone else.  She found it oddly reassuring that the woman still had a pulse. "Well he is!"  Cyndi defended herself. "Yeah he is," Tarina echoed the other woman's sentiments.  She had been hoping to get a chance to speak to Jennifer before now, especially since she knew the man would be leaving LA soon. Jennifer turned to her friend and smiled.  "What do you think though?  Are there any sparks?" "Well isn't he leaving soon?  I mean there's no sense in even trying to start something, is there?" Tarina frowned. "What are you two talking about?" Cyndi asked curiously. "Tarina and Johnny!"  Jennifer explained raising her eyebrows up and down. "Oh I see.  Do you like Johnny?"  Cyndi questioned the woman now seated on a chair against the wall under the telephone. "Well, yeah.  I think I do.  I haven't really spoken to him at any length but…" "He's nice to look at," Jennifer offered, smiling as she tried to envision her best friend and her "uncle" as a couple. Joanne returned with an arm load of serving dishes and noticed right away the three younger woman were having one of those talks that only woman with a mission have.  She thought back to years gone by when the three women standing and sitting in this kitchen would have been herself, Beth Stoker, and any number of various other women to fill out the threesome.  "What kinds of plans are you guys working on?  Could they possible have anything to do with a certain upcoming wedding?" Snapping her fingers, Jennifer brought Tarina out of her self-induced daydream.  "That's it mom," she proclaimed, kissing her mother on the cheek.  "You're a genius!" "Well, if you insist," Joanne returned her daughter's affectionate kiss. "What?"  Both Tarina and Cyndi asked, bewildered by Jennifer's sudden excitement.  "He'll be coming back for my wedding!  He promised me!  Okay now we need some sort of a plan.  Tarina did you drive here tonight?" "Yeah, of course," she continued.  "Okay.  Did Johnny?" "What in the world are you scheming up Jennifer Lynn?"  Joanne questioned in a way only a mother could. "Mom you don't want to know," Cyndi offered shaking her head. "I think you're right.  Some things are better left unknown," she teased.  With that Joanne returned outside wondering what her daughter was up to; but considering she was wondering whether or not both her friend and Johnny had driven here today, she had her suspicions.   Seeing Roy standing by the shed beside Johnny she causally walked up behind them and placed an arm around both of their waists.  "That was absolutely an unqualified success.  I'm glad you came up with the idea.  It was nice to visit with all the girls again." Roy bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead placing an arm around her.  "I'm glad you agree.  It was rather festive seeing everyone again." "Yeah it sure was, but it was kind of sad to finally meet Sally without Joe," Johnny frowned at the thought of how much Joe would have loved the evening the friends had just shared.  "She seems like a very nice lady." "She is Junior.  Too bad you didn't get an opportunity to see them together.  They made a splendid couple.  He truly loved her." "He sure did.  It's nice to know he had her during his last years," Joanne quietly responded thinking about how often Doctor Joe Early's name came up in her husband's conversations.  She suspected that Joe's death a few years earlier had thrown Roy for a loop.  He probably didn't realize how much he was going to miss him. The three remained silent as they each recalled various conversations and memories about the man they had all respected and liked very much.  Johnny was suddenly realizing how much he was missing by being thousands of miles away.  He'd missed Christopher's wedding, the birth of both of the DeSoto's grandchildren, the weddings of both the Stoker boys, Doc Early's funeral and now he'd probably end up missing the birth of Mike and Beth's grandchild as well.  He knew now that come hell or high water, he'd never miss Jennifer's wedding.  Standing there beside the shed, he silently wished he could have some of those years back to make different decisions in his life.  'Now Johnny, you told yourself earlier that you had to accept those decisions and move forward without looking back,' he silently scolded himself. "Penny for your thoughts," Joanne looked up at him. "I was just thinking about all the events I've missed over the years.  I guess I'm just having a small silent pity party."  He smiled sheepishly while the moonlight shone down upon the three friends. "Well you can make up for missing all the others by making sure you're at our daughter's wedding!" Roy said in a mock harsh tone squeezing Joanne closer to him. "You can count on it," Johnny assured his best friend.  The three friends slowly walked back towards the house in a comfortable silence, each deep in their own thoughts.  Roy was thinking back to Joe Early's small intimate wedding to a woman named Sally who had slipped easily into place with the group of long-time friends.  Roy had been extremely happy that the man who had started out as 'just one of the doctors at the hospital, had slowly turned into a friend and had found someone to share his life with.  Joe's death, just two short years before from a heart attack, had shocked Roy and had left a feeling of loneliness within him for a long time afterwards.  Joanne was still trying to figure out what the three women in the house had been planning when she'd walked in and was inwardly laughing because deep down inside she knew that her daughter was trying to set Johnny and Tarina up.  It made her laugh because she had lost count of how many times Beth Stoker and herself had done the same.  'Boy Johnny, if you only knew how many women seem to feel the need to find you someone!'  Johnny himself was thinking back to his very brief time spent alone with Tarina, wishing that supper hadn't been ready at quite that moment.  He had hoped to spend a little more time alone with her and to find out a bit more about her.  The evening ended an hour later as the final guests at the DeSoto home finally made their leave. The following day Roy and Johnny decided to spend the day together in the mountains.  They went fishing and took a hike while discussing Jen's upcoming wedding, what Roy was going to do with all his free time, and Johnny's still highly stressful job.  While sitting comfortably with a fishing rod in his hand, Roy looked over at his best friend.  "So have you managed to find another Laura?" After a moment's silence Johnny shook his head.  "No, not even close.  I have to admit, I think I made a mistake by not quitting my job." "No you didn't Johnny.  At the time you couldn't give up the job you loved.  There's nothing wrong with that you know." "You know Roy, I used to think that, but now I'm not so sure.  I was watching all you married couples yesterday and I really started missing Laura a lot.  I shouldn't have been so selfish back then."  Johnny looked down at his hands.  The two were sitting down on a log relaxing. Roy couldn't believe this was John Gage speaking.  He understood what Johnny was saying and realized for the first time that even his carefree friend had some regrets in life.  "Listen, maybe the fact that you couldn't give up your job means that Laura really wasn't the right person for you.  If she had been, you wouldn't have given quitting your job a second thought." "You know Roy, as much as I would love to believe that I know it's not true.  I didn't give up my job for her because I was afraid," Johnny shook his head. "Come on Johnny, nothing scares you," Roy tried to lighten the conversation up at bit.  "Roy, I didn't quit because the only other job in this world I'm qualified to do is fight fires.  If Laura couldn't handle me being a search and rescue man, how do you think she would have felt about my being a fireman?"  He ran his hand through his hair. Roy had a hard time believing that Johnny could have self-doubts.  John Gage was one person that Roy had always marveled at when it came to self-confidence.  "Johnny I'm sure there's all kinds of jobs you could do.  You have amazing people skills, don't you remember years ago I told you, you could have been a salesman."  Roy smiled and leaned back against a tree limb. Johnny returned Roy's smile and laughed.  "Yeah I remember.  But charm isn't exactly a skill needed in most occupation's Roy." "It never hurt with our jobs, did it? Johnny, don't sell yourself short.  You're an intelligent guy and hospitals all over this country would love to have someone with your skills and experience teaching new paramedics.  So don't go doing this to yourself.  If the right woman came along, you might find yourself willing to do just about anything for her." "Yeah maybe, but I'm not sure."   Johnny was pensive for several minutes.  "I'm serious Roy.  I'm not qualified to do anything else.  This type of job is all I've ever known, besides ranching." "This self-doubt is not like you Junior.  What else is going on?"  Roy looked at his friend with concern. Johnny made a face, similar to the one when he told Roy he'd be leaving LA for Hawaii; the face where he wanted to say something meaningful, but couldn't.  "Roy, times like this make me look back at my life and wonder about what I missed out on.  I don't have a lot of regrets, but I wonder sometimes…" His voice trailed off, not really wanting to share all of his feelings.  Roy was the closest friend he ever had, but sometimes, some things were better left unsaid. Roy understood his friend's dilemma.  There were times in Roy's life when he looked at the choices he made and questioned them too, such as letting his first promotion to engineer pass by.  But eventually he came to terms with his decisions and stopped second-guessing himself.  He could only hope his friend would find inner peace. After several more moments of quiet Roy spoke up.  "Well, Junior, we should be heading back or that family of mine will abuse me for keeping you all to myself." Johnny looked at Roy and smiled.  "Yeah, might as well head back.  Although, frankly, all I'm heading back to is a stressful job and an empty home."  The last words were said so softly that Roy wasn't sure if he heard them correctly.  Could it be possible that John Gage was heading toward his mid-life crisis?  The thought crossed Roy's mind, but he shrugged it off, knowing Johnny the way he did.  The two picked up their gear and headed for Roy's car. ********** "I'll see you in the fall Jo."  He walked over to her and gave her an affectionate hug.  He was always amazed at how comfortable Joanne was with him.  He was sure it was a sign of her security with Roy that allowed her to relax while in his arms.  Well maybe it also had to do with the times he'd held her while waiting in the doctor's lounge at Rampart to find out about Roy's condition during the few times his partner had been injured. The time came for Johnny's departure.  Although different members of the DeSoto family offered to take him to the airport and wait with him, Johnny declined.  He had such mixed feelings over the last several days being in LA, he didn't want to be morose with any of them at the airport.  So he decided to say his good-byes there and then and let the drive to LAX distract him from thinking about how much he missed the city of angels.  The one thought that would keep him going was knowing he'd be back soon to share in the joy of Jennifer's wedding. The End Author's notes: I want to thank Janet for housing my story as well as giving me the inspiration for it.  This story started off as a submission for the nickname contest, but I got a little side tracked.  I'd also like to thank Pattie for doing a great job beta reading this for me. Pattie thank-you so much, you did a great job! It was worth the wait. And lastly, everyone should thank Mary Ann.  Especially, if you liked the scene with Roy Johnny and Chet being overheard by the women in the kitchen.  Mary Ann wrote that scene for me.  So please let her know you liked her work, I certainly did.  Sharon  return to main menu