The following week, a phone call caused Dixie's smile to vanish. The call was from one of her nurses, Mandy. She was calling in sick for her day's shift, complaining of a stomach virus or something. The 'or something' was Dixie's exact thought when she received the call. It was that morning that Mandy was to report to Station 51 for her ride-along with Roy and Johnny. The previous week, the Chief had approved her idea but this morning, things were not about to go as smooth as Dixie had hoped. Mandy had not even given it a chance. Dixie was well aware of the tension between Johnny and several of her nurses ever since Dixie had posted the ride along schedule. But the head nurse was hopeful that once the nurses got to Station 51, the professionalism of Roy and Johnny, accompanied with the level headedness of Roy, things might settle into place. But that would have to wait for another day. The disappointment was still apparent on her face when Roy and Johnny made a supply run right after lunch. "Hey Dixie, how are you?" Roy said in his usual manner. He set the radio on the counter beside him as Johnny walked around him to pour a cup of coffee. He picked up an empty pot, looked at it for a second before setting it back down. A sigh followed. It hadn't been as especially busy morning for Station 51's A-shift, but C-shift had a long night and Johnny and the rest of A-shift had spent the morning following up on some cleanup duties. A few uneventful calls filled the rest of their morning followed by lunch. Now, just after one in the afternoon, Johnny was looking forward to a cup of coffee. "Sorry bout that Johnny," Dixie apologized after hearing his sigh as he put the empty pot back on the burner. "I guess I forgot all about putting on a fresh pot." "That's okay Dix, no problem," he sighed once more leaning on his elbows on the counter. "Maybe there's some in the lounge?" Roy offered thinking a cup of coffee might be just what he needed as well. "Oh no, no way," Johnny said, his voice full of emotion. The change in him caught Dixie's attention as she turned to face him sensing she must have missed something. "You saw what happened last week Dix," he said with a look of certainty on his face. "I ain't going back in there just to get into another argument with someone who hasn't got a cl…" Dixie had put her hand up, stopping him from finishing his thought as Penny, followed by Heather, came out of the lounge. "Like spending a few hours with you is gonna change all that" Penny stepped up her defensives. "Talk about someone without a clue." The obvious tense scene didn't go unnoticed by Nicki as she and her partner Tom, entered emergency, intent on getting some supplies for themselves. "Now just what do you think is going on there?" Tom asked not getting an answer from Nicki. Instead, she had stepped forward, putting herself right in the middle of things. "What's going on?" she asked looking from Tracy to Dixie, then to Roy, Johnny and back to Dixie without anyone obliging her. "Hey Johnny? What's up?" she asked the one person she felt she had the best chance of getting an answer. "Nothing Nic, nothing at all," Johnny said before walking right between Heather and Tracy, down the hall, and out the doors to the squad without another word. "Let me guess?" Nicki said after taking a good long look at the scene before her and with what just happened in mind. "Some people around here still have their noses in the air and their heads in the clouds where a certain firefighter/paramedic is concerned." "This is none of your business, Nicki," Tracy nearly spat her feelings out. "Oh and that's where you're wrong," Nicki said as a debate ensued. Tom, along with Roy took a step backwards, letting Nicki have her say. Dixie, unsure exactly where things were headed, was willing to give Nicki a chance. "You see, you all seem to think you know Johnny and that's your first mistake," Nicki began what was going to be one hot debate. "Truth is, you and especially you, have no clue who he really is. You have no idea what he is all about. Tell me this? Where did he grow up? Hmm… Do you know why he became a fireman? Or a paramedic for that matter? Do you know what makes him tick? What makes him walk into a burning building to try to save the life of someone he's never met? Do you know why he puts his life on the line to save the property of people he doesn't know? Do you know what he does when he's not working? Do you know how much he loves nature and the outdoors? Do you know that he's one of the nicest people you will ever meet? Do you know that he was one of most supportive of females in the fire department? You don't know anything about him except what kinds of lies and gossip you and those like you spread up and down these halls. What does that do for you? Huh, answer me that? What do you get out of spreading lies about people?" "And what makes you think you know anything Nicki?" Tracy spat back, skipping every other question Nicki had tossed at her. Midway through Nicki's speech, Dixie had ushered her and Tracy into the lounge, followed by Roy, Tom, and Heather. The discussion was getting a bit too heated to continue in the halls of Rampart. "You don't know a thing about me." "You got that right!" Nicki almost laughed. "I don't know much about you, that's for sure. You see, I have no idea what so ever why someone like you would become a nurse. Aren't nurses supposed to be caring and compassionate? I don't see how spreading rumors about people, falls under the category of either caring or compassionate." "Excuse me?" Tracy's rage continued. "You have no right making accusations about something you know nothing about!" "Well the shoe's on the other foot now isn't it?" Nicki debated on. "Tell me how does it feel to have people make accusations about you? Not too good is it?" "She's right!" came a response no one standing there witnessing this scene could ever have expected. The unexpected response came from Heather, the quietest nurse on staff at Rampart. The one who quietly did her job without voicing personal opinions. "Yes, she is right," Dixie agreed giving Tracy a stern look. Normally Dixie was above reprimanding any of her nurses in public but this topic of discussion was an Achilles Heal of hers and maybe, just maybe it was time to approach it in a different manner. The nurses' lounge wasn't her first choice for this little meeting but it would do for the moment. She would have followed that with a few comments of her own but that quiet voice interrupted once more.  "Miss McCall," Heather asked in a hushed tone. "Yes Heather, what is it?" Dixie asked. "You have me on the schedule to do a ride-along with Tom and Nicki here from Station 18 today," Heather began her question, her voice losing its hesitation as she continued with her question, "but do you think it would be possible for me to ride with Squad 51 instead?" A brief glance in Roy's direction and getting a slight nod in the affirmative, gave Dixie the answer she had hoped for. "Yes Heather, I think that would be a wonderful idea," Dixie agreed, refraining from showing a look of satisfaction. "Why don't you go on ahead?" "Thank you Miss McCall," Heather said with a smile. She walked past Tracy, who stood with her hands on her hips. "Tracy, why don't you see if Dr Morton needs any help in treatment room 4?" Dixie said drawing a huff from the nurse as she turned and headed for room 4. "That was quite a speech there partner," Tom smiled as he spoke almost laughing. The exchange brought a smile to Roy's face as well. The anger that she had just moments ago seemed to dissolve with the comment from her partner, as well as the response from Roy. "Thanks Tom," Nicki grinned before turning to look Dixie in the eye. "I'm sorry Dix… for the outburst I mean." "That's quite alright Nicki," Dixie smiled also. "Maybe it was time that Tracy got an earful from someone else. Lord knows nothing I've said to her has made any difference. We talk about the spreading of rumors. I think I make myself clear that it has to stop but five minutes later she will be right back at it. " "I have a feeling that the talk around here isn't going to be about Johnny, not today anyway," Tom said glancing at his partner who sneered at him. "That little outburst is gonna be the talk of the hospital for awhile." "You're probably right there Tom," Dixie agreed, still chuckling about what had just happened. "But it will be a nice change from the usual gossip." "And that little comment from Heather," Roy said shaking his head. "That was almost as surprising as the little outburst from Nicki here," Dixie acknowledged. "Oh and sorry about your ride along today." "That's alright Dix," Nicki said with a look of joy on her face. "I think this worked out for the best." "Speaking of ride alongs," Roy said realizing Johnny knew nothing about the sudden change of plans. "I better go tell Johnny that we're gonna have a passenger." "I guess since we don't have a passenger to pick up here, we should get going," Tom said picking up the HT he had sent on the counter at the base station. "Oh, not before we pick up some supplies," Nicki recalled. In all the commotion, they had almost forgot what they came in for. In addition to picking up their ride along passenger, they needed a few items. "Oh, well then," Dixie said walking back behind her desk to prepare what supplies Squad 18 needed. Tom pulled a short list from his shirt pocket, handing it to Dixie who gathered what was on the list, stacking it in a box she had handy. "There you go, all set," she said as Tom picked up the box, handing the radio off to Nicki. "See ya later," Nicki and Tom said in unison as they headed out. In the meantime, Roy had brought Johnny up to date on their passenger. He had avoided the reason or the outburst by Nicki and instead simply explaining there had been a change in plans. "So long as it isn't Tracy," Johnny had replied to the news. "Anyone but that woman. I don't care if I ever talk to her again." Roy had simply nodded and headed back inside where Heather was now ready to go. She walked out with Roy, crawled in beside Johnny with a sweet smile, and with Roy behind the wheel as usual, they headed back to the station. Back at the station, Roy and Johnny gave Heather a tour of the station although Johnny was pretty much a spectator. The afternoon had been fairly uneventful. A motor vehicle accident resulted in minor injuries requiring no follow-up. Late afternoon there was a call from a local bar, several minor injuries as a result of a disagreement between a couple patrons. The only follow-up from that call was taken care of by Vince. Suppertime came with the usual banter of who was doing the cooking and what was being prepared. Heather stood by watching and listening to the talk before she finally could take no more. "You all chip in for meals, am I right about that?" she asked, stunning everyone. She had barely said a word all day. "Yes ma'am, we do," Captain Stanley finally answered the question as the rest of his crew looked on. "Okay, then how 'bout if someone runs me to the store to pick up a few things," Heather continued. "Then I will cook dinner. It sounds like you all could use a good, home cooked meal. Well, as close to home cooked as we can get anyway." "Cap?" Marco said without asking the entire question. Not that it was necessary to ask the question. It was the same one the rest of the men had on their minds. "Go ahead," Cap said motioning to Roy and Johnny. Neither said a word as they, along with Heather made a trip to the neighborhood market, following Heather from aisle to aisle as she gathered miscellaneous items before heading to the register. The items were bagged and although it was a bit crowded with three passengers and a several grocery bags in the squad, the trip back to the station was a short one. There Heather shoed everyone, including Captain Stanley, from the kitchen while she went to work on dinner. Less than an hour later, she called them back in for dinner. On the table, was Parmesan-Dijon Chicken, twice-baked potatoes, green beans, carrots, and a pitcher of lemon-iced tea. "Geez," Marco said followed by a long drawn-out whistle from Chet. "Man, you did all this?" Chet asked obviously approving of the feast before him. "What can I say?" Heather shrugged it off. "I love to cook." "Hey Cap?" Chet asked with a serious tone in is voice. "You think she can come back next time it's Gage's turn to cook?" "Shut up Chet!" was his answer from Johnny, Roy, and Cap, in unison I might add. Heather wasn't exactly sure what the question or the comment was all about, but she laughed along with the rest of the guys. As a sure sign that things would soon change, dinner was completed without a single interruption; no phone calls, no fire or rescue call, and no one stopping by the station for any number of reasons. For a few hours, it was actually quite peaceful at station 51, given that this was A-shift and Johnny and Chet were on duty. Around eight-thirty all that changed when they were called out on a structure fire. Radio talk was constant as several units converged on the fire, trying to rescue several people who were unaccounted for as well as trying to keep the fire from spreading to another volatile structure near by. Johnny and Roy, along with paramedics from one other squad entered the building, dividing up as they searched for missing persons. One victim was quickly located just inside a front hall. He had been overcome with smoke in an attempt to escape the building. Outside, Mike directed Heather to retrieve the radio from the squad as he maintained his position watching the gauges on the engine.  Heather setup radio contact with Rampart, instructing them of the situation and asking they stand by. While the search continued, Heather administered oxygen to the first patient who soon feeling much better. Inside, paramedics from Squad 45 located another victim. Once outside they went to work on treating him while the search continued for two more people. By the time they reached a safe point to begin treating the man, Heather had everything setup. She took over radio duties as the victim was treated for second degree burns. The second man of the squad returned to rescue efforts seeing that everything was being done that could be for the burn victim. Moments later radio contact reported that the two remaining missing men had been located and they were on their way out. The next few minutes however were a blur for Heather. Just as the paramedics emerged from the building she heard the words "Get back, everyone get back!!!" One minute she was standing in front of the squad, the next she heard someone repeating her name over and over. She finally she opened her eyes having not realized they, were closed, to discover Johnny leaning over her. She glanced to her left to see the squad when it dawned on her she was on the ground. "What happened?" she asked in a soft voice. "Explosion" Johnny said. "A wall collapsed onto the building next door…chemical plant...are you alright?" "What do you remember?" Roy asked making sure she was okay. "I was standing there," she pointed to the spot where she had been standing just moments ago. "I heard someone yelling to get back. I saw Johnny coming at me and then I fell to the ground." "Sorry 'bout that," Johnny said with a look of concern. "Cap was telling us to get back and as I headed for the squad, I saw you standing there." "I couldn't move," Heather replied filling in a bit of the story herself. "It was weird. I wanted to move but I just stood there, frozen." "It happens," Roy said trying to reassure the startled young woman. "Sometimes your brain is telling you to do one thing and the body is doing something else. As long as you're okay." "I think so," she said bending her arms and legs while trying to shake off the experience. As she got to her feet, Johnny noticed a scraped elbow that needed treatment and he led her over to sit down on the seat in the squad, while he took care of cleaning and bandaging the scraped elbow. Meanwhile the other three victims of the fire received oxygen as well and were doing okay. The burn victim had been transported by one of 45's paramedics. Rampart requested the three remaining victims be transported as a precautionary measure. Since everyone was able to sit on their own, Roy and Heather rode in with the three patients while Johnny followed with the squad. It was later when Johnny arrived, that Dixie could refrain from asking a question. "So, who's going to tell me what happened to one of my nurses?" she asked holding back a smile. "Oh well that would be a result of Johnny tackling her," Roy said knowing the way in which he worded it would get a response from Dixie. "He what?" Dixie asked, unsure what Roy was talking about, but by the grin on his face there was a story to be told. She then turned her attention to Johnny as she awaited a response. "Me?" Johnny asked pointing at his chest. "I didn't tackle…" "Well what would you call it?" Roy teased. It wasn't often that Roy got to drive Johnny crazy. Usually it was a ranting by Johnny driving Roy crazy. Sometimes turn-a-bout could be fun and this was one of those times. "Well it wasn't exactly like I was…." Johnny tried to defend himself. Heather, however, felt sorry for him, considering what had really happened and therefore, she let him off the hook. "I was standing by the squad when the Captain yelled for everyone to get back," Heather began explaining. "Being a dummy, I didn't move. I just stood there. That's when Johnny came by and pushed me behind the squad right as an explosion took place. I guess I skinned up my elbow in the process. It could have been a lot worse." Dixie couldn't help but smile for several reasons. For one, Johnny had that look on his face that he had when he saved someone from injury, but was too humble to take credit for it. Secondly, because the explanation from Heather was the most Dixie had ever heard from the young woman at one time, since she'd come to work at Rampart. "Well I'm glad that someone was looking out for you," Dixie said, noticing how Johnny was suddenly very interested in the floor tiles. "Well considering she did such a great job helping us out back there," Johnny said, diverting the attention back to Heather. "We couldn't just let her get hurt now could we?" "No, you're right cause you know I would have given you an earful if you had," Dixie commented. "Besides, it's kind of nice to have you still in once piece after a rescue." "It's nice from where I'm standing too Dix," Johnny said, the trademark smile across his face. "It's not like I enjoy being a patient you know?" "Sometimes I wonder?" Dixie teased. It was certainly a change from the Johnny she had seen earlier in the day. A nice change and Dixie was going to enjoy it while she could. "But at least I know I have Roy to look out for you. I can count on Heather too for today anyway." "Just today?" Johnny teased Dixie right back. "I don't know Dix. She's got the makings of a good paramedic." "Don't you go getting ideas about stealing my nurses away to join the fire department now," Dixie said with that stern on the outside, laughing on the inside tone. "Don't worry Miss McCall," Heather said with a grin on her face. "I'm a nurse and I have no intentions of changing that anytime soon." "Well, as long as she's alright, we should be getting back," Roy said, hating to break up the little party. After all it was after nine o'clock and after the evenings events, Roy was ready to get some sleep. "Uh Roy," Dixie said after a moment to think. "It's getting a bit late isn't it?" Roy knew exactly what Dixie was referring to. The fact that Heather was a female and Station 51, unlike some stations, was not setup for both sexes. Other stations, like Station 18 with Nicki, had made some changes and a few rules to accommodate a female with the department. "Well, uh, Heather," Roy began trying to say this as best he could without embarrassing or insulting Heather. "I think maybe it would be best if we called it a night. Uh…what I mean is…that uh…" Dixie saw how the situation made Roy uncomfortable so she stepped in to rescue him, so to speak. "Heather, what Roy is trying to say is that the fire station isn't setup for women to be there on an overnight basis," Dixie explained. "Oh uh I get it," Heather said a little embarrassed. "As in sleeping arrangements?" "Yeah, sorry 'bout that," Roy apologized, not really sure what it was that he was apologizing for. "That's okay," Heather took it well. "I could sleep on the couch. I don't mind really." "I suppose we could ask Cap what he thought about it," Roy said trying to be as diplomatic as possible. Dixie offered the phone on her desk for Roy and he called and explained the whole situation to Captain Stanley who agreed that it shouldn't be a problem. "Well, I guess we'll be going then," Johnny said picking up the HT from where Roy had set it down to make the call to Captain Stanley. "See ya Dix." "I'll see you all back here in the morning," Dixie said as the three started to leave. "In the morning?" Johnny said turning back around. "Dix, you pulling an all-nighter?" "No, actually I'm gonna finish up this and then I'm heading for home," Dixie explained. "I have to be back her at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." "You'd think since you make the schedule, that you'd give yourself some better hours," Johnny said adding his own commentary. "Yeah you'd think," Dixie laughed at Johnny's thought. "I don't do this too often but Carol needed the morning off so I traded shifts with her." "Well then, I guess we'll see you tomorrow morning," Johnny said waving before joining Roy and heather as they returned to the squad. Back at the station, the guys had brought a pillow and a few blankets in from he bunkroom. Heather used the bathroom first before curling up on the couch, leaving a spot on one end for Henry. In the bunkroom, Captain Stanley made it quite clear that if for any reason one of them got up during the night, they would put on turnout pants before leaving the bunkroom. Having said that, the guys turned in. Most nights, Johnny easily dropped off to sleep. This night, however, he lay awake for at least an hour before his body finally gave in. During the night, however, he woke up. He lay awake for a while wondering what time it was since it was till dark. Finally, he gave up trying to go back to sleep. He sat up, rubbing his eyes before pulling on his turnouts, then walked through the bay, headed for the kitchen where he flicked on the lights. Just as he did, his mind recalled that Heather was asleep on the couch. But, the timing was off and the lights were on. "Sorry" he mumbled in a morning voice as he noticed a movement on the couch. "That's okay," Heather said in a more awake than his voice. "I couldn't sleep either." "Did you know Henry snores?" she asked drawing a giggle from Johnny before he glared at the dog. "Is that any way to treat our guest, Henry?" Johnny reprimanded the dog. Heather and Johnny both had to laugh when Henry flopped over turning his back on both of them. "That's quite a mascot you got there," Heather giggled as she watched the dog that had barely moved all day. "I thought fire stations had Dalmatians for mascots." "Yeah well, we didn't exactly pick Henry," Johnny explained how the dog came to be the station's mascot. "He sort of picked us." "He picked you?" Heather asked while yawning. "Yeah well one day we came into work and there he was," Johnny explained motioning towards the motionless dog. "Never did figure out where he came from. We looked in the papers and nobody was looking for a dog like him so he sort of stayed." "He is kind of cute?" Heather said as she reached over and scratched the dog's ears. "Yeah, but he snores remember?" Johnny said with a laugh. "So how come you couldn't sleep?" Heather asked recalling that Johnny couldn't sleep either. "Too quiet I guess," Johnny said opening the refrigerator, he removed the milk carton and proceeded to get a glass from the cupboard. "You thirsty?" "I think I could go for some milk, just half a glass though," Heather replied before continuing her thought. "I would think you'd be used to it being so quiet here by now," she asked as Johnny handed her half a glass of milk. "Thanks." He took out another glass, pouring one for himself before putting the milk back in the refrigerator. "It's not so much that the station is too quiet," he replied as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "The day itself was on the quiet side and whenever it is, I tend to have trouble sleeping." "Really?" Heather asked with a confused look on her face. "How come? I would think you'd appreciate the time to get a good night's sleep." "Adrenaline I guess," Johnny answered taking a long drink of milk before continuing. "It's kind of like there's this adrenaline rush there, anticipating a call. I have trouble sleeping cause my body is awake ready for the alarm to go off." "I guess that makes sense," Heather likened the occurrence to that of a nurse. "I know sometimes when we have a really slow morning, you just sense that something is going to happen. Like you know it won't be quiet like that your whole shift." "Kind of the same thing I guess," Johnny concluded with a laugh. "Dixie said that every time she tries to work on the nurses' schedule, something happens and she never gets back to it." "I really like Miss McCall," Heather replied getting a nod from Johnny. "She runs a tight shift there," Johnny agreed. "But she's one of the fairest people I've ever met." "She does seem to be a big fan of the paramedic program," Heather observed and took the opportunity to get a bit more insight on the idea. "That she is and she has been since the beginning," Johnny recalled the early days when Dixie fought for the program. "What made you want to be a paramedic?" Heather asked without even thinking. "I'm sorry if it seems like I'm prying." "You're not prying," Johnny said as he took one last drink of milk. "I didn't want to be a paramedic when I first heard about the program." "I didn't know that," Heather said a little confused. "Obviously something changed your mind." "Yeah, a man who isn't living anymore changed it," Johnny recalled the one patient they couldn't save then, but who may have had a chance now. "Before the program even passed legislation, the Captains of younger firefighters were talking with us about signing up for training. I didn't have any interest in any 'glorified ambulance attendant" job, as I called it then. 'Til one day we rescued a man who had tangled with some power lines. I swear, from what I know now, that man was alive when we put him in the ambulance. Dr Brackett was working that day and he couldn't save him. I told Dr Brackett the same thing, that he was alive when we got him down. I don't know if he had doubts or if he thought I was questioning his ability, but it wasn't a pretty scene. He asked me what I was basing my diagnosis on, what kind of expertise did I have, to say so? I took that man's death hard and Dixie knew it. The paramedic program offered me the chance to get that training and I signed up for it. Roy had already been through the training before me and we became friends and from that we became partners here at 51." "From what I hear, you and Roy are two of the best," Heather said, giving Johnny a verbal pat on the back. "Yeah well, Dixie seems to think so anyway," Johnny said, quite sure that he was blushing a bit. "I know there are some paramedics out there who try to do too much on their own. Me and Roy, we're not doctors. We don't pretend to be more than we are. We're simply there to do what the real doctors tell us to do; things that the doctors would do in the hospital if the patient were there. I think as long as we remember that, then we're doing our job." "Yeah I guess I can understand that," Heather replied with a sweet smile. "I think there are a lot of things that make a good nurse. I've only been with Rampart for less than four months so I know I haven't perfected them all yet. But, I do think that if you talk to people and they understand that we're there to help, everything else seems to fall into place. Sometimes a patient really needs help medically and we can do that for them. Other times, I think there is the fear factor. A hospital can be scary place to adults as well as children. Sometimes all a patient needs is to talk to someone. I can't explain everything as far as medical treatments and such, but I do think I'm a good listener." "Sometimes I think that's the toughest part, the human aspect I mean," Johnny was reaching that point where his body was tired but his mind was reeling. "Family members, especially mothers. I don't mean that in a bad way like it's only mothers, cause I've seen it with fathers, husbands and wives too. They want us to help their son or daughter, husband or wife, but they get in our way while we're trying to do just that. They're in a state of panic when we need to find out about the patient's medical history. They get hysterical and we wind up taking the time to calm them down so we can do our job, instead of just treating the injured person." "I guess at the hospital we have the benefit of a waiting room," Heather responded to Johnny's last thought. I never really gave it much thought till you mentioned it, but I can't imagine trying to deal with a hysterical mother and an injured child." "It certainly isn't easy but Johnny and Roy here seem to handle it better than anyone else I've worked with," Cap complimented his team of paramedics before Johnny even realized he was in the room. "Thanks Cap," Johnny said, seeing the proud father-type smile on his captain's face. "No thanks needed Pal," Cap said patting Johnny on the shoulder, "You and Roy do a good job, you work together as a team, and you get along a lot better than any other paramedic team out there. Course then there's you and Chet…" "Yeah that's another matter all together," Johnny laughed at the last comment. Heather couldn't help but laugh as well, even if she wasn't quite sure what Captain Stanley was talking about. She didn't have to wonder long however. "Chet, or the Phantom as he's known around here, is the resident prankster," Cap started to explain. "And I'm usually on the receiving end of his jokes," Johnny completed his captain's thought. "Unless we're talking about the annual firefighter's picnic that is," Cap said with a chuckle following his though. "I do have to admit John, that was quite a prank you and Nicki pulled on Chet." "Yeah well, he deserved a lot worse than what we did," Johnny replied with an ornery grin. "Yeah but having his nemesis join forces against him was quite a feat," Cap replied. "How is she anyway? I haven't seen her since the picnic." "That makes two of us," Johnny started to say before changing his thought. "Well, I've seen her at the hospital a few times since then, but I haven't seen her outside of work." "I'm sure Chet will be happy to hear that," Cap snickered as it turned into a yawn. "Well one thing is for sure, he's probably going to be back in the doghouse next week." Johnny said taking a cue from Cap with a yawn of his own. "Oh yeah, should I be hearing about this now or wait 'til later?" Cap asked, unsure if he wanted to hear an answer. "Just that it's Nicki's birthday next week and she's sure he's going to forget like always," Johnny added. "He forgets his own sister's birthday?" Heather said, not believing that someone could forget a family member's birthday. "Well, according to Nicki, he doesn't forget entirely," Johnny said snickering. "It's just a week or so after her birthday that he remembers. She figures on giving him a week before she gives him a piece of her mind." "Good for her," Heather announced. "There's no reason why a brother can't remember his sister's birthday." "Well, as long as she keeps it verbal and doesn't beat the tar out of him, it's okay with me," Cap said getting to his feet as he headed back to bed. "Goodnight you two." "I think I'm going to hit the sack too," Johnny said, picking up the two glasses and putting them in the sink. "Henry, 'ole boy, try to keep the snoring to a minimum," he said patting the dog on the head and getting the usual response; nothing. "G'nite Heather." "Night Johnny," she said pulling up the blanket as Johnny switched off the light. The following morning, Dixie looked up from the nurses' stations. "I was beginning to wonder what happened to you," Dixie said seeing Heather coming down the hall between Roy and Johnny. "I thought maybe you decided to go to work with the fire department after all." "No, not me Miss McCall," Heather said with a grin, "I think I'll stick to nursing." "Good morning Johnny," Dixie couldn't resist being a little too cheerful as Johnny yawned for the third time. "Hey, morning everyone," Nicki said slapping Roy and Johnny on the backs as she came up behind them. "Well aren't you all just a happy bunch this morning," Johnny groaned, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. "So whatcha up to today?" Nicki asked poking him in the ribs just to let him know it was him she was talking to. "Anything fun on your calendar or are you gonna be a grouch all day?" "I was thinking of spending the day in bed," Johnny grumbled, laying his head against the wall once more. Nicki couldn't resist that one. It was almost as if Johnny had laid it right out there for her, daring her to comment. "Oh, well I suppose that could be fun," she said with a devilish grin no her face. Johnny responded to her comment by opening one eye, not able to resist a laugh. Dixie couldn't resist a laugh as well, seeing the smile on Johnny's face as he realized what he had said. "I knew there was a smile in there somewhere," Nicki said laughing as Johnny turned away, walking towards the exit doors. "Should we tell Chet about this little rendezvous?" Tom asked, laughing after witnessing the scene before him. "No, I think it's probably best if Chet doesn't get wind of this?" Roy chimed in. "Besides I'd need a replacement next shift if he did find out." "Next shift?" Tom laughed. "Chet sees those two together in the same bed and you'll need a permanent replacement." "Well, I better get sleeping beauty back to the station, so he can go home and get some sleep," Roy said waving goodbye with the radio in hand. "Nice having you with us Heather." "Thanks, it was a learning experience," Heather smiled, waving goodbye as she headed for home too. "We better get going too," Tom said, saying goodbye and pushing giving Nicki a nudge towards the door. ******************* Nicki's playful mood was in full swing the day of the fashion show. A couple fittings for the gowns she would wear and a dress rehearsal two nights before was all it took relax and get comfortable with the whole fashion show idea. The only real change that was noticeable the day of the fashion show, besides the gowns themselves, was the hair and makeup being provided by a salon that was also co-sponsoring the event. The only problem there was getting Nicki to sit still long enough for them to apply the makeup and do her hair. By the time she took her first walk on the runway, she was glowing, a wonderful combination of the gown, hair and makeup and her natural fun-loving personality. "She is a natural, that's for sure," Caroline said to Sarah as Nicki completed her fourth trip down the runway. The only gown left for her was the bridal gown. Before she would walk the runway the final time, Nicki took one more seat in the makeup chair. For the bridal gown, she would have a softer shade of lipstick and blush applied. Her hair, in spiral curls, was pulled back in a comb while the curls danced across her shoulders, a few loose smaller ones framing her face. A final spritz of hair spray, a bit of primping on the gown and its train and Nicki was ready for he final trip down the runway. She practically danced across the stage, a beautiful smile never leaving her face as she made the final turn, walking back upstage before exiting. She turned down a hall, one door from the dressing room area and she stopped as her name was called out. "Nicki?" she heard someone say. The voice was familiar but the tone was unusual. Looking up, Nicki had run into the last person she ever expected to see. "John-ny!!!" she said in a startled voice, as the shock set in. "Oh my…oh no," she said glancing at the place on her arm where a watch normally would be but today it was missing. "I'm sorry," she continued babbling, "Hang on okay, just let me go change. It'll only take me a minute." "Nicki," he repeated her name. At the moment, that was the only word he could get out and even that was rough. She had turned to go change when she heard Johnny say her name again. This time a sense of panic struck. "Oh no…don't you dare…don't even think about it," she warned him in her tomboy voice while pointing her finger at him. "Not…one...laugh...I swear one laugh and I'll…" She was about to threaten him into keeping silent about seeing her dressed as she was, but something in his expression, the look in his eyes, told her that wasn't going to be necessary. In fact, it worried her a little. "Johnny? Are you okay?" she asked in a soft voice, one usually saved for her patients. "Yeah…yeah…I…" Johnny was trying to form a sentence, but his brain was in a fog. "It's just that…" He'd given up on words to express what he was saying. Instead he looked at her face, his eyes trailing down to the gorgeous gown she was wearing. As he looked down, so too, did she. For a moment, she read his thoughts. Before him, was a young woman in a beautiful satin gown looking just like Cinderella. A grin formed on her lips as she looked into his eyes, cocking her head to one side. "You're beautiful Nic," he finally strung three words together. Not really a sentence but his message was received, making Nicki just a little bit embarrassed. The tomboy at heart wasn't used to getting comments on her looks, especially the word 'beautiful'. "Thanks," she said, blushing slightly, "I think I better go get changed. You wait here for me?" "I'll be here," Johnny said settling back against a wall as she walked away, not able to take his eyes off her. Nicki felt his eyes upon her and it made her smile a little broader. As she entered the changing room, she paused for a moment, speaking to no one without realizing it. "Nicki?" Sharon said seeing her come in. "Hey, are you okay?" "Huh?…Oh yeah, I'm fine," Nicki answered. "Do you have any idea who I just ran into in the hall?" "In the hall?" Sharon asked curiously. "No, who?" "Johnny?" Nicki shot back. "Johnny?" Sharon repeated, "You mean Johnny was here? Just now?" "Yep, right here in the hallway, as I came around the corner." Nicki replied. "I didn't tell him Nicki, I swear I didn't," Sharon said, fearing she would be blamed. She knew the last thing Nicki wanted was for one of the guys to find out about this." "I know you didn't Sharon," Nicki said kicking of her shoes. "You know, I don't think he expected to find me here." "Then what was he doing here?" Sharon asked, confused by the turn of events. "I can answer that," Caroline said holding a slip of paper containing a message from Joanne. She handed it to Nicki who quickly scanned the words. "Joanne," Nicki said, "She accidentally mentioned that I was here today helping you." "Me?" Sharon asked thinking for a second before answering her own question. "I'm sorry Nicki. I talked to Joanne a few days ago and I did let it slip that you were here helping me out with the show." " I told Johnny I was going shopping with Joanne this afternoon," Nicki replied, "and that I'd meet him at three o'clock." "It's almost four o'clock now so he must have called Joanne's looking for you," Sharon concluded, the mystery was being resolved piece-by-piece. "And according to this note from Joanne," Nicki said shaking the note Caroline had given her, "she told him I was here with you." "Oh no, and he saw you dressed like this?" Caroline said, motioning towards the gown Nicki still wore. "Yep, he sure did," Nicki replied with a giggle on the end. "I think it was quite a shock for him." "I'll bet it was," Sharon laughed along with Nicki. "If I didn't know anything about this, I'd be shocked too, to see you dressed like that." "Well, I think we better get you out of this gown before she surprises anyone else," Caroline said, motioning for Nicki to turn around so she could unbutton the gown. Nicki did so and Caroline had the gown unbuttoned in no time. Five minutes later, Nicki was looking like herself again; dressed in white jeans, a pale blue polo shirt, a fresh, makeup free face and her hair; although still in curls, was pulled back in a ponytail. "Nicki, I don't know how to thank you for helping us out today" Caroline said, as Nicki prepared to leave. "But if there's anything we can do for you, just ask okay?" "I will," Nicki said, getting a hug from Sharon and one from Caroline. "If I ever do get married someday, I want that dress." "You got it," Caroline replied, as Nicki went out the door, waving as she did. "Johnny?" Nicki said as she walked into an empty hall. She thought he had said he would wait for her to change. It hadn't taken that long for her to do just that. Question was, where would he have gone? She didn't have to wait long as it was a matter of seconds before he stepped from the men's room. "There you are," Nicki sighed, "I thought maybe you had left." "Now would I do that to you on your birthday?" Johnny said, pointing his finger his chest as he smiled. "Happy Birthday Nic!" Nicki couldn't help but smile as he wished her a happy birthday. "Do you know it's after four o'clock and you're the first one to wish me a happy birthday?" "Chet forgot huh?" Johnny said, beaming now that he knew that he had remembered Nicki's birthday and her own brother had forgotten. "Of course," Nicki grumbled. "He can remember a baseball score from a game he saw when he was ten years old, but do you think he can remember my birthday?" "You want me to answer that question?" Johnny asked. "No, I already know the answer, we both do," Nicki replied. "So, are you hungry?" Johnny asked. "We could get something to eat." "As a matter of fact, yes, I'm starved," Nicki said holding her stomach. "How 'bout a pizza?" "Sounds good to me," Johnny said as they walked to the car. One of Johnny's favorite places for pizza wasn't far and since it was an off time of day, they were seated and had placed their order in no time at all. "So, how come you told me you were going shopping with Joanne?" Johnny asked as they waited for the pizza. "Well for obvious reasons, I didn't want any of the guys to know about the fashion show," Nicki said sipping her root beer. Johnny smiled as he thought for a moment what grief she would get if the guys knew about today. "I guess I can understand that, but you could have told me." "Yeah, I guess I could have," Nicki sort of agreed with Johnny. "I just figured the fewer who knew, the better. I mean, look at what happened with Joanne. She didn't even know about the fashion show and she let it slip." "I bet she feels real bad about it," Johnny reasoned. "Yeah, she must have realized it after she hung up with you, cause she called and tried to talk to me but apparently they didn't know how to reach me so she just left a note," Nicki filled in a blank for Johnny. "I still can't get over seeing you in that dress," Johnny said, smiling and shaking his head at the same time. "Well, I was a little shocked myself the first time I saw myself in the mirror," Nicki recalled her reaction that day a few weeks earlier. "I guess it's a good thing you didn't see me in the other dresses too then." "Other dresses?" Johnny asked, "How many dresses did you have on today?" "Five," Nicki answered. "But that was the only wedding dress. The rest were bridesmaid dresses." "Five?" Johnny repeated. "Man, it's a good thing I didn't get here earlier. One was bad en…I mean…sorry Nic, I didn't mean it to sound like that." "That's okay Johnny, I'll forgive you" Nicki laughed. "Besides I know what you meant." "That's good" Johnny started to say before Nicki cut him off. "On one condition, that is" she finished her thought. "One condition?" Johnny asked a bit confused. "Yeah, I'll forgive you on the one condition, that no one, and I mean not one single person hears about this," she enforced her point as she said it emphasizing the 'no one' part. " You got a deal," Johnny agreed smiling before he continued. "Besides, who'd believe me?" "That's true, " Nicki laughed as she spoke. "All I'd have to do is deny it. I'd just say that you hit your head…that you must have been delirious." "You don't have to go that far," Johnny said in his own defense. "You could just deny it you know?" The waitress brought their pizza and just to prove their point of being 'hungry' and 'starved', it didn't last very long. "So what do you want to do now?" Johnny asked as they headed for the Rover. Nicki didn't immediately answer Johnny as she debated on what she wanted to do. "How 'bout mini-putt?" she answered getting her second stunned look from Johnny. "Mini-putt?" he repeated, not exactly expecting her to suggest that. "Yeah, you know, its like golf only on a mini course," Nicki explained, not sure if he didn't know what mini-putt was or if he was just surprised by the answer. "I've heard of mini-putt," Johnny answered that part of her question. "What I don't understand is why, of all things to do on your birthday, you want to go mini-putting." "Well, when I was a kid, I used to play with my grandmother all the time," Nicki explained. "She loved it and I thought it was fun so she always took me with when she played." "Well, its your birthday," Johnny surmised as he pulled out onto the highway. "If you want to go mini-putting, then I guess we're going mini-putting." Nicki couldn't help but laugh at his response. Partly because he was so agreeable to it and partly because she couldn't believe they were actually going to play mini-putt. She laughed harder when he stopped at a stoplight and asked where there was a mini-putt place. To her, it was cute that he had agreed to it and was on his way when it dawned on him that he had no idea where they were going. But being the good sport she was, she gave him directions and they arrived within thirty minutes. It was pretty slow for a weekend. Johnny and Nicki played five games before they realized it was dark. Glancing at his watch, Johnny was surprised again that it was almost ten o'clock. "I can't believe it's that late already," Nicki responded when he told her the time. "Guess time does fly when you're having fun." "I have to admit this was fun," Johnny acknowledged. "Course that's for your ears and yours only." "Yeah well you don't tell anyone about me and the dresses," Nicki offered Johnny a deal, "And I won't tell anyone you had fun playing mini-putt." "Deal," Johnny said shaking her hand as they headed for the Rover. On the way to drop Nicki off at her place Johnny had another question. "So how long do you think it will take for Chet to remember your birthday?" he asked. "He has until tomorrow morning," Nicki said without having to think. "Tomorrow huh?" Johnny responded surprised. "I thought you were giving him a week?" "Well if he were any brother at all, he would have remembered today," Nicki said. "Nope he has until morning and I'm calling him on it." "Good for you," Johnny said giving her a high-five. "Wish I could be there to see that." "Oh you will," Nicki said, a devilish smile on her face. "Cause you're gonna help me break it to him." "I am?" Johnny replied a bit surprised. "How so?" "With a line of questions? Very direct questions I might add," Nicki continued her explanation. "For starters, you can ask him what he did on his days off. Then gradually get more to the point." Nicki explained her line of questions on the ride back to her apartment. By the time they got there, plan number two against Chet was in full force. Not quite as involved as their original plan had been for the picnic, but a fun one just the same. Johnny was actually looking forward to going to work. "Well, I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow," he said dropping her off. "Yeah, I'm sure I'll see you at some point," she added. "Thanks Johnny. I really didn't think anyone was going to remember. Turns out I had a great birthday after all." "You're welcome," Johnny said waving as she closed the door. As she walked away, he couldn't help but remember a time earlier in the day when he had watched her walk away. This day was going to one that Johnny wouldn't soon forget. As much as Johnny had been looking forward to the next shift, that all changed less than an hour after the shift started. He and Nicki had pulled their mini plot off on Chet and had a good laugh in the process but the events would soon take a turn for the worse and it would only get worse. Their first call came shortly after nine; a motor vehicle accident between three cars. One car was north bound, another was south bound when a third vehicle drove through a red light. In all, five people were taken to Rampart, including a small child in serious condition. The day stayed busy and Johnny and Roy were barely able to eat two bites of a sandwich. The afternoon didn't let up as they were called upon to handle several calls outside their normal area due to a mudslide. Several squads from that area were dispatched to the scene and had remained there into evening, leaving squads 51 and 45 to cover a large area for a good part of the afternoon. Just when things seemed like they couldn't get worse, they did, and Johnny and Roy were more than grateful when they returned from a call to find the guys from B-shift at the station. Johnny waved a sorry excuse for a wave as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home. The guys from B-shift had brought in donuts and Johnny had taken 'one for the road' as he was offered. Once home, he got out of the Rover and headed for his apartment, forgetting all about that donut. Rounding the corner, he was three steps from his front door before he noticed Nicki standing there. Actually he may not have noticed her at all if she hadn't spoken. "Hey Johnny," she said before seeing the expression on his face. She was about to ask 'how are you' but thought better of it. From the distant look in his yes, she already had her answer. "Johnny?" she asked in a serious tone, "Are you okay?" "I don't know Nic," he answered shaking his head. "I really don't know." "Johnny…" she started to ask a question before he continued. "Why do we do this Nic? Johnny asked leaning against his door, staring off into space. "I don't get it." "Johnny, did something happen?" Nicki asked. She already knew the answer to that question but maybe if she kept talking, Johnny would keep talking as well. Right now, the only thing she was sure of was that he needed to talk to someone and she was the only one there. "People are dumb, you now that Nic?" he asked still staring seemingly without even blinking. "They do some pretty dumb things. And some people, they just don't give a damn about other people. Nicki watched him as he spoke, toeing the doormat with his shoe without taking his eyes off something he probably wasn't even seeing. "Yesterday I left here," he said tapping his fingers on his door as he spoke, "and I went to work and this morning I came back home. Do you know there are six people who didn't come back home…who will never go back home. "Billy Cartwell," Johnny said the name, reliving the accident between three cars early the previous morning. His mother…she was fixing her makeup…took her eyes off the road…just for a second…ran the light…Billy died…he was crushed…between two cars…we couldn't get him out…he died last night…" Nicki had been a paramedic for less than a year, but she knew one thing. If anyone thought it got easier over time, they were sadly mistaken. And if they believed that you don't get emotionally involved with a patient, they were mistaken about that too. Not all patients, but now and then, something happens. It might be something good or it might be something tragic like Billy Cartwell, but there were times when it was tough to shake things off. Sometimes it just plain didn't make sense. Sometimes, it took a little bit longer to put things into perspective and move on. "Were there others hurt in the accident?" Nicki asked, trying to figure out where five more lives figured into Johnny's day. "No…not in that accident anyway," Johnny continued in his monologue tone. "Last night…we got a call…car over an embankment…we got there too late…five more lives…gone" Johnny replied snapping his fingers. "Just like that…worse thing is, we don't know exactly who…not yet…pretty good idea though…two cars were racing…underage drinking…police stopped the other car up the road from the accident…didn't even know there was another car 'til later…by then it was took late…the car erupted into a ball of flames…someone in the other car said there were five people in the car when it went over." Nicki wasn't sure what exactly to say to Johnny. It probably didn't matter what anyone said at the time anyway. But he was talking and his sentences were getting longer with more words. At least, it appeared that talking was helping. At least he was opening up instead of bottling things up inside. She watched his eyes go from staring off into space to looking at his hand as she held it in hers. He wasn't sure how long she had been holding onto it but he noticed it now. He squeezed it gently as he looked into her eyes, seeing her for the first time. "I'm sorry," she said making eye contact with him. "Me too," he said, still holding her hand. He looked around realizing that he was standing on the porch of his apartment, unsure how long he had been standing there. There was one more thing he was uncertain of as well. "Nic?" he spoke in a soft tone. "Yeah Johnny?" she asked happy to be conversing with him at last. "You were here when I got home?" he said, somewhere between a question and a statement. "Yeah," she answered. "I stopped by to talk to you and you weren't home yet so I waited for you. "How come?" Johnny asked, then thinking his question was a little abrupt. "I mean I'm glad you're here but what I don't understand is why." "It doesn't matter," Nicki said shrugging her shoulders. "It must matter or you wouldn't have come over here and then waited," Johnny reasoned. "I missed you," Nicki said straight out without missing a beat. "You missed me?" Johnny changed her statement into a question. "You just saw me yesterday at Rampart and we spent Saturday…" "No Johnny," Nicki thought she might rephrase her statement. "I know I just saw you and I had a great time on my birthday too; more fun than I would have had with Chet; if, that is, he had actually remembered my birthday. No Johnny, what I miss is, all the time we spent together like when we were plotting against Chet. And then the picnic came and went and I guess I miss that. I miss being with you Johnny." What crossed Johnny's mind in those thirty seconds were mixed with the emotions he had felt when he saw her two days before. When he had seen the beautiful young woman before him looking like Cinderella; like a princess, he had realized something about her. She was, in fact, a woman: a beautiful young woman. In all the time they had spent together plotting against Chet and even at the picnic, he hadn't seen her as a woman, but as a friend. Saturday had changed all that, when he saw her wearing that gown, he realized that the feelings he had for her, weren't those of a friend. He hadn't acted upon it Saturday but second chances don't come around often and he wasn't about to miss the chance again. Still holding her one hand in his, he stroked her cheek with his other gazing into her eyes for just a moment. Then cupping her chin in his hand, he leaned forward as he and Nicki shared a very special, sweet kiss before wrapping her in his arms. Still holding her tight in his arms, his voice was soft. "I've missed you too Nic." Time stood still for Johnny and Nicki. There were no seconds, no minutes, no hours: just the two of them together holding one another. "Nicki?" Johnny said still holding her. "Yeah Johnny," Nicki answered. "That day at the fashion show," he continued, letting go of her but still holding her hands. "When I saw you in that dress…for a minute there I thought…" Johnny stopped, not finishing his thought. "You thought what Johnny?" Nicki asked studying his face, coming to the conclusion that made her laugh and Johnny blush. "You thought I was actually getting married?" she said barely getting the words out before breaking into a fit of laughter. "It's not funny," Johnny said embarrassed that he had admitted such a thing to anyone, much less Nicki. "I'm sorry Johnny," she said calming down. "How could you think that I was getting married?" "It's just that…well I was shocked…" Johnny argued, feeling a little bit silly. "When have I ever seen you dressed like that before?" "I guess you have a point there," she finally admitted. It was tough for her to deny his point, considering she was wearing her trademark: jeans and a t-shirt. "You know I'll never forget the look on your face," she said taking a serious tone. "Well, you surprised me," Johnny said in his defense. "I wasn't that bad." "That's not what I meant Johnny," Nicki replied, feeling that she should explain. "It wasn't bad at all. You know something. No one has ever looked at me the way you did that day. Nobody has ever made me feel like that." Nicki looked away from Johnny for a moment, staring at the ground collecting her thoughts before looking into his eyes. "Something was different about you, about the way you looked at me that day," Nicki started explaining. "You know I really thought you were going to kiss me right there in that hallway." "I wanted to," Johnny said without thinking of what he was saying. It brought a smile to Nicki's face. "I wouldn't have minded," she admitted, the feeling between them that day had been mutual. "But spending my birthday with you was pretty special too." "Pizza and mini-golf?" Johnny said almost laughing as he recalled Nicki's unusual birthday. "I had fun," Nicki said poking him in the ribs. "You know Dixie's right. You are too skinny." "I am not," Johnny playfully slapped her hand away. "Besides I eat all the time." "Yeah right, what have you had to eat in the last twenty-four hours?" she teased, while suspecting from the tragic events of his previous day that he had probably not eaten. "Okay so I haven't eaten in a while but I do eat," he defended himself. "Come on," Nicki said. "Let's go inside and I'll make you breakfast." "You're gonna cook me breakfast?" Johnny said pointing first at Nicki and then at himself. "Sure, it's not exactly like when we went camping, but I can cook." "You got a deal," Johnny said, pulling his keys from his coat pocket and opening the door. Nicki headed straight for the kitchen under Johnny's watchful eye. Part of that look was his curiosity wondering what she was going to make for breakfast. The other part of him, just enjoyed watching her now that he had come to his senses and realized that the most beautiful woman he had ever seen had been right in front of him for months. He wasn't about to take his eyes off her now. "Okay, so would you rather have…" Nicki said walking into his living room to ask a question. Sitting on the couch, his long legs stretched out resting on an ottoman was Johnny, sound asleep. As she stood watching him sleeping, she couldn't help but smile. She thought back on the day they had first met, he was dripping wet, having just been a victim of the Phantom. She hadn't really taken a physical notice of him that day, as she was more caught up with arguing with Chet. She couldn't help but laugh at how things had worked out. Chet was to blame for her and Johnny becoming friends in the first place. That friendship had grown during their time together plotting against Chet. Still, it had taken a little intervention on the part of a fashion show to open his eyes to what was right in front of him. What was right in front of Nicki at this moment was Johnny and she couldn't resist lying down beside him. He stirred ever so slightly as she kissed his cheek before laying her head on his chest, falling asleep while listening to the beating of his heart. It was several hours before he stirred once more. He opened one eye, then another, before realizing he was on the sofa in his living room. It was then that he realized he wasn't alone on the sofa. He smiled as he watched her sleep, unable to resist kissing her forehead before laying his cheek against her head. They stayed that way for ten or fifteen minutes before she would awake. A smile crept across her face as she realized where she was and with whom. A sweet kiss between them was followed by laughter, as Johnny's stomach had awoken as well. "Sounds like I better make you that breakfast I promised," Nicki said, getting to her feet after a quick kiss. She had a little help in the kitchen as Johnny playfully handed her the things she needed to prepare their breakfast. "You're a good cook Nic," Johnny said enjoying his breakfast. "Campfire or no campfire." "Thank you," Nicki said as they finished eating. "You know maybe we should go camping again some time." "Without the rain, you mean?" Johnny asked, recalling their last camping trip and the downpour that soaked the two of them. "I don't know," Nicki said with a devilish look on her face. "I really didn't mind the rain. Speaking of rain, I never did tell you." "Tell me what?" Johnny questioned, wondering what it was she was referring to. "Well, I remember making a comment about the possibility that you needed to work on passionate kissing," Nicki snickered as she continued. "But after those kisses at the picnic, I guess I was wrong." Johnny was just about to respond to her teasing when the phone rang, cutting him off. "Hello?" he said after turning around to answer the phone that sat on a table behind the sofa. "Oh hey Chet," he said looking at Nicki as he mentioned her brother's name. "Yeah she's here. Just a sec." "Chet?" Nicki said putting the phone to her ear. "What's up?" In the moments that followed, Nicki happy-go-lucky mood took a turn for the worse. "No…no…no…" she repeated more times than Johnny could remember. He watched the smile disappear from her face, replaced with despair and disbelief. He watched tears forming in her eyes, falling down her cheeks as she closed them tightly, her hands across her mouth. "Nic?" Johnny said, reaching for her as she pushed herself off the couch, disappearing into the kitchen. "Nic?" he said again debating between going after her and picking up the phone. Deciding on the later, he put the phone to his ear. "Chet?" he said hearing Chet repeatedly calling Nicki's name. "Johnny? Where's Nicki?" Chet asked, his voice different than Johnny had ever heard. "Chet, what's going on? What's wrong?" Johnny asked needing answers and needing them soon. "Johnny, what happened to Nicki? Is she okay?" Chet shouted into the phone. "She'll be fine Chet, just tell me what's going on," Johnny said demanding an answer this time. "Johnny, it's our grandmother, she had a stroke," Chet said, finally answering Johnny's questions. "Oh man," Johnny said, his one free hand pushing the hair back off his forehead. "Chet, is she…" "No, Johnny, she's alive," Chet said anticipating Johnny's next question. "But it doesn't look good." "Look Chet, I'll call you later," Johnny said stretching the phone cord as far as it would go as he searched for Nicki. Finally he tossed the phone on the couch without bothering to hang it up. The only thing that mattered to Johnny at the moment was Nicki. He found her on the back porch, sitting on the top step, sobbing with her head in her hands. The site of her sitting there nearly broke his heart. "Nic," he said squatting down in front of her, wrapping his arms around her, and holding her close. Nicki wrapped her arms around him as he stroked her back, gently rocking her as she cried on his shoulder. "Come on Hon.," he said helping her to her feet as they went inside. He walked her to the sofa, sitting down beside her. Behind him on the table, he grabbed the telephone book, flipping through the yellow pages until he found the heading 'airlines'. Pulling on the phone cord, he brought the headset to him. Glancing between the phone and the phonebook, he dialed the number, waiting for someone to pick up. Glancing over at Nicki, he put an arm around her, hugging her to him. "Sarasota?" he said meaning for it to be a question. "Nic?"  "I'm sorry Johnny," she said, her voice soft. "Did you say something?" "It's okay, your Gram, she's in Sarasota?" Johnny asked thinking that was where Nicki had said her grandmother was living. During the five mini-golf games they had played on Nicki's birthday, she had talked about her childhood and her grandmother's role in it. Johnny thought she had said her grandmother lived in Sarasota. At the moment, Johnny knew one thing for sure and that was he had to get Nicki home. That much he had to do for her but he needed help with 'where' home was. She confirmed what he thought was the right place with a nod of her head. That was all Johnny needed from Nicki. The rest he would take care of on his own. Before heading to the airport, he went into the bathroom, getting a wet cloth. He returned to Nicki where she was sitting on the sofa. He gently wiped her tears with his fingertips before she took the washcloth from him. The coolness of it felt good on her face. After freshening up, they headed for the airport. Several times on the way there Johnny was sure she was crying again, but he let her have the time to herself and avoided looking over at her. Instead he held her hand, squeezing it gently every now and then to reassure her that she wasn't alone. Their wait at the airport wasn't long. Nicki was reluctant to leave. Part of her needed to be with her Gram, to be there for the one woman who had always been there for her. Another part of her wanted to stay with Johnny. In his arms she felt safe and protected from the cruel things that happen in life. "That's your call," Johnny said getting her to her feet. She had been silent for a while now as memories washed over her. As he led her to the gate, he slipped something into her hand. Looking down, she realized it was money. "Johnny?" she started to protest before he cut her off. "Just in case," he said closing her hand around the money. "Once you land, you get a cab and have him take you to the hospital okay?" "Thanks," Nicki nodded, a brave smile on her face. "You call me okay?" Johnny said, looking in her eyes. "Anytime…I don't care how late or how early it is...Call me collect." "I'll call you, I promise," she said as he wrapped his arms around her, wishing he could take away the pain she was feeling inside. "I wish you could come with me." "I wish I could go with you too," Johnny said as he walked her to the boarding gate. "I'm always with you though." Nicki couldn't help but smile at his comment. If there was anything she was sure of, it was that Johnny was with her, whether she was in LA or in Sarasota, he was with her. Handing her ticket to the gate attendant, she looked back at Johnny one last time before heading down the ramp. Nicki did call Johnny later that night. Her grandmother was hanging in there. Must be the Kelly spunk Johnny had told her. She laughed saying that at least on the female side of the Kelly family. Over the course of the next three months, Nicki talked to Johnny nearly every night. Nicki had asked for a leave of absence from Station 18. As disappointed as they were, especially he partner Tom, they understood her reason. Each time Nicki and Johnny talked, she updated him on Gram's condition even though it didn't change. She wasn't getting any better but she also wasn't getting any worse. Nicki held onto the later part of that statement. One evening, Johnny was just about to doze off when the phone rang. It was Nicki. She said there had been a change. Based on Nicki's tone of voice, Johnny thought it was for the worse. "Actually I made a change today Johnny," she reported. "I talked to the local fire chief last week. They have an opening for a paramedic. The chief talked to my Captain there at Station 18. He also talked to Dr Brackett and all I need to do is take the certification test here in Arizona. Johnny, I need to get back to work but I can't leave Gram. I'm gonna take the position." "I think that's great Nic," Johnny said. He couldn't help but notice a change in her voice. She had been spending a lot of time at her grandmother's bedside and it would do her good to get back to work, even if that meant working in another state. "It will probably do you good to get back to work." "Yeah, I think so too," she added. "This way I can keep my certification in tact and I can check in on Gram when we transport a patient." "So how is Gram?" Johnny asked. "There's no change," Nicki reported. The doctors have talked about some new medicine. "You never know," Johnny thought out loud. "Maybe some new medicine will be what she needs. "Nic?" Johnny asked after a brief moment of silence. "How are you doing?" The response from Nicki wasn't what Johnny had expected. Nicki had laughed immediately after he asked. "You're incredible, you know that?" she asked with a giggle. "Why do you say that?" Johnny asked obviously confused by her comments. "Cause of all the people here, including family friends, doctors and nurses, you're the only one who ever asks how "I'm " doing" Nicki said with a tone that Johnny knew had a smile behind it. "I guess they don't know you like I do," Johnny replied with a laugh himself. "Nobody knows me like you do Johnny." Nicki said with an unmistakable laugh. "I miss you." "I miss you too Nic," he said wishing he could reach through the phone and hug her right then. "Talk to you tomorrow?" "Yep, I'll call you tomorrow," she answered. "No, wait a sec, it's your turn to call m tomorrow." "Okay then," Johnny said laughing out loud. "I guess I'll call; you tomorrow. G'nite." "G'nite Johnny," Nicki said before hanging up the phone. Once again, without the wonderful assistance of several people, this story would not exist. Thanks Ria, for allowing me to rant and rave (Johnny style, of course) as I attempted to get this story out of my head and onto the computer screen. Thanks also for the too-many-to-count brainstorming sessions while it was in the works. Thanks also to Sharon for tackling the role of beta-reader once again. Not only that but for volunteering your services before the story was even complete. And finally thanks to Janet for giving our stories a wonderful home where they can be shared with others. Feedback to Bobbie return to main menu