Links to Parts 1. 2.

The trip to Rampart was quiet.  Roy was concentrating on the traffic and Johnny was trying to keep his breathing even and controlled as he was thinking about how this was going to make working out at the grove harder, and how it was going to add to Lee’s stress level. 

Then he began to wonder how this happened.  He knew he had set the oven on 325 degrees.  That is what Lee always set the oven on and he had helped her so many times, especially when they were in the apartment and she had to have help with the top oven.  Had he made such a stupid mistake? 

It didn’t take long for Dixie to get them into a treatment room.   The resident who came into the room was new and looked at the two men.  While he recognized them as firemen he didn’t see or comprehend that they were also paramedics.

“You need to wait outside.”  He told Roy as he began unwrapping Johnny’s hand.

“Dixie said for me to stay with him and keep him in line.”

“A trouble maker or frequent visitor?  Or both?”

“Both.”  Roy answered as Johnny glared.

“Look, Roy, why don’t you go on upstairs and check on Lee.  Tell her it’s nothing serious, probably a just a first degree burn.  Check her office then her uncle’s room.”

“It’s a second degree burn, partner.  Ok, see you in a few.  If he gives you any problems Doc, call Dixie.  She’ll straighten him out.”  Roy smiled as he left the room.

“You concentrate on fire fighting and leave the doctoring to us.”  The resident said with a smug look.    “So how did this happen?”

John explained the accident.  He made a small grimace as the doctor pulled the gauze away.  Johnny thought this guy has been taking lessons from Morton on bedside manner.

Roy went up to Lee’s office first.  He was surprised to see her filing.  She looked up as he came in.

“Not again?  How bad?  What happened?”  She asked all in one breath. 

“Burn on his hand from dish of mac and cheese, probably a second degree.  He was more concerned about you than his hand.”

“So when isn’t he more concerned about everyone else?”  She smiled.  “I love him for so many reasons…one of them is how he cares about others, so I shouldn’t complain? 

Right… of course right as Yenta would say.”

“He was kind of worried how you would react.”

“We both reacted badly the other day…not sharing how we were feeling.  It won’t happen this time.”   She wasn’t surprised that Johnny had talked about how he was feeling.   It was Roy and Jo who had taught Johnny to feel again and not to be ashamed of his emotions.  Lee knew she owed more to them than she could ever repay. 

“I wasn’t sure if you would be here or with Jeff.  Johnny was surprised you were still here.”

“Waiting to see if the doctors make any decisions today.  They were trying to see if they could get a better idea what the mass is.   They came in to change his catheter so I came up here.  Let’s go say good bye to Jeff and go check on the Boyo, and then I am going home and rock my daughter and just spend time with her.   Thanks for all you do for Johnny and for me.

 “No problem, that is what family does.”  Roy reminded her.

 “I’ll go down and tell him good bye then see you in the ER.”  She pushed the file drawer shut and locked it.  “Let’s go see the Boyo.”

“Want to take a soda with you?”  He had gone over to get one for him and Johnny. 

“Yes please.   You wouldn’t want to give a girl a helping push would ya?” 

‘Always happy to oblige.”   He knew she must be feeling really tired and worried since she hated having anyone push her.  The only exception was Johnny, he did it just because he liked to be close to her.

Chet helped to clean up the broken glass and the counter.  Mike was very carefully trying to clean up some of the macaroni and cheese from the still hot oven.

“Stoker let it cool.   One burn victim is enough.  Can you fix another vegetable or  something to go with the pork chops and salad…The chops…I suppose they are burned now?”

“Relax, Cap.  Marco is watching   the grill.”  Mike answered as he pulled a box of instant potatoes from the shelf.  “I’ll doctor these up so you can’t tell them from the real thing.’

“Cap do you think he was burned bad?”

“Bad enough.  Don’t understand why he would have set the oven so high.”

“Maybe he wanted to get a crust on top of the macaroni.”  Chet guessed.  He was glad no one had noticed he had turned the oven up from 325 to broil.  He had just wanted to make the dish inedible not set the oven on fire or cause someone to get hurt.  If Gage hadn’t been lazing around outside none of this would have happened.   Muller was right; Gage got away with a lot just because he was a paramedic and the departments “golden” boy.  They didn’t want to make his wife mad, afraid she would pull the money she gave to the department charities.  In his twisted logic, Chet was ignoring the fact they all were outside taking a well-deserved break after a busy morning and afternoon.

Cap came out of his office with a grim look on his face.  “Drake from 110 is coming in to replace John.  He can’t work after the shot the doctor gave him.   Brackett said it was a second degree burn across the knuckles and the back of his hand.  We should be thankful it wasn’t worse.”

The next morning Lee as was getting ready to swim; Johnny was asleep in the recliner his hand nestled on a pillow.  It had been throbbing so bad he had asked for a pain pill when he got up with her for Chloe’s morning feeding.  Lee knew even worse than the pain in his hand was the fact he couldn’t hold Chloe. 

They had laid a pillow across his lap for her then he had patted her on the back until she fell asleep.   Her favorite way to be held was curled up on his shoulder, her head pressing against his neck.   Now when she was on her back she would kick her legs especially when she heard Johnny or Lee’s voice.   Ibbie was in the laundry room and had the intercom on if Chloe needed a bottle or a diaper change.   She was now seven pounds and 21 inches long and the new formula and feeding schedule suited her nicely.   As she went into the front room Johnny opened his eyes. 

“Hi darlin’.  You need something to drink or anything before I go outside?”  She asked smiling at him.  It was so good to have the air between them cleared.  She watched him closely.  She could see something was bothering him.

“No. Sorry I can’t help you with your exercises.  Ya know I still can’t understand how I could have done something so stupid as turn the oven to 500.  I wanted it to slow bake like you do.”

“I wish I knew what to tell you.  I’ve done stuff like that before.    Your mind is trying to do too many things at a time I guess.    Let Ibbie know if you need anything, ok?”

“You go swim and relax.   If you want after you get done, we can go see Jeff.   Looks like you’ll be driving me around for a few days.  Sorry to be a problem.”

“Boyo…you do so many extra things for me…driving your places isn’t any problem.  It’s nice to be able to help you for a change.”  She kissed him and went out to the pool. 

As Lee did her exercises she let her mind go blank and just did the rote movements.  She did 10 laps slowly than 5 at a faster pace.   She looked up feeling someone watching her.  Johnny had come outside and was watching her from the deck.  

She knew he didn’t like her swimming alone.  Neither ever really admitted it but she was probably the better swimmer of the two.  Even before her accident she had been a strong swimmer.   She loved being in the water and some of the best memories she had of her dad and mom was the time they spent together at the beach.  

She   wondered what kind of memories Chloe would have of her and Johnny when she was an adult.   They had talked about what they wanted for her, but even after 2 months it still seemed almost like a dream.   She had almost lost hope they would ever be parents, but had hoped Johnny never knew… but of course he had.   He always seemed to know what she was thinking. 

“You’re going to turn into a prune if you stay in there much longer.”  Johnny called to her.    “You looked good out there.”  She swam over to the lift chair.  He came down from the porch to operate the chair.  He held her chair as she transferred. She smiled when she saw how he had fixed a large beach towel to help keep the travel chair dry.  She appreciated all the little things he did for her.

Johnny sat out on the porch thinking while Lee was getting ready to go.  This thing with his hand was bothering him more than usual.   Not so much the pain, it wasn’t that bad this morning.  What was really bothering him was not being able to hold Chloe or help Lee with her exercises.  Even if he could drive he wouldn’t have been able to help her get in the Rover.    Maybe he needed to think seriously about what he and Roy had talked about a while ago. 

He couldn’t imagine not being a paramedic…not being in the squad with Roy…. but he couldn’t, didn’t want to think about not seeing Chloe grow up or not being able to be an active part of her life.   And there was Lee…he wanted to always be there for her…He prayed to the Lord every day to watch over and protect her…to give him one more day with her.   He was lost in thought when she came out to him he jumped when she said his name.

“I’m sorry…Are you ok?”     

“Yeah I was day dreaming I guess.  You about ready to go?”

“Whenever you are.   Chloe asleep?”

“Yes, did you notice she slept 4 and a half hours last night?  I think that is the longest she has ever slept at one time…. I figured it out; she sleeps about 16 hours out of 24 hours, which is normal for babies her age…”   At her six-week checkup her pediatrician had spent some time explaining because she had come early and had a low birth weight, that it might take a while for her to catch up with other babies her age who were full term.   The doctors had estimated she would be born mid-May and she had been born April 24.  

“Just remember not to get so caught up in what the books and doctors say to enjoy just being with her.” 

“I know.  Its hard Boyo…There was so many times if it hadn’t been for your love and encouragement and faith…But now it’s time to love her and watch her grow and dream of our future.  Did I ever remember to tell you thank you?”

He went over to her and kissed her deeply, cupping his good hand behind her neck.   “You have.  Now let’s go see Jeff before I change your mind.”  The twinkle in his eyes and the grin on his face made her laugh as he looked towards the house.

“You are feeling better.”  She giggled and wheeled herself to the ramp.

 Jeff was looking so much better Lee found herself relaxing for the first time since she received the call. 

“I’m glad you both came.  I have some information to share.  This way if either of you have any questions I can try to answer them.  Within reason so not to compromise any of our work.   The call you received, Lee was from someone who misread the message he was given.  He is deeply sorry for any undue stress he caused you.   The person who wrote out the message has also been reminded to be more careful.  Especially when dealing with such delicate matters.”

“Thank you for looking into that for me.”  Lee said holding tightly onto Johnny’s uninjured hand. 

“Mr. Waverly personally looked into it.”  Jeff had heard his boss had been upset at the way the call had been handled and saddened at Lee’s reaction.

“The place I was didn’t have what you would call the best health care and my stay there compounded a problem I had been experiencing.  I thought it was just a case of too many different types of food and some poor water quality.   Sweet Pea the last thing I ever want is to cause problems between you and John.”

“You didn’t…I guess some of the old insecurities came into play.   I was reliving the day of the accident in my head…and the waiting afterwards when you had to go back in surgery as we were driving over here. For some reason that has been on my mind a lot, lately.  Maybe because of the letters I have gotten asking me not to appear at the parole hearing later this summer.   Then I find out Johnny was on his way in because of a chemical spill…It just all over whelmed me to the point where I let stuff  bother me more than it should have.”

“The way I behaved didn’t help.   But she forgave me for acting like a jackass...”  Johnny added looking contrite.   “Man, when I thought she might really be mad forever I was miserable.”

Laughing Jeff shook his head.  “If she forgave you for asking her to go out dancing on your first date, she’ll forgive you anything.”    

“No one is ever going to let me live that down, are they?”  He laughed at the expression on her face.

“No, we probably won’t because it shows one very important reason I love you.  You never noticed my wheelchair, you always just saw me.   That is one of about a jillion things about you I love.”

“Jillion?”  Jeff said laughing.

“Stacy’s favorite number at the moment.”  Johnny answered.

“There is something we need to talk about.   They have scheduled exploratory surgery for Friday.  They are not sure what exactly the blockage is…it could be an imbedded kidney stone or scar tissue or a tumor.  Or it simply could be a pocket of infection.   Once we know, they can make other decisions.  There is still the possibility they will recommend a kidney transplant.  You two are not to be tested because there is no way you would be allowed to donate even if you were matches.”

This was the first Johnny had heard of this.  Lee hadn’t mentioned it because she knew neither she nor John would be considered as a candidate even for testing.   John could not donate a kidney without giving up his job as a firefighter/paramedic.  As much as she loved Jeff, Lee would never ask that of John.   She had no doubt if he was a match Johnny would have volunteered without a second thought.  She could see he was going to argue the point.

 “Boyo, we have to accept the fact Jeff has decided we are not to be part of the testing…so please…”    He just squeezed her hand tighter letting her know he understood.  “Besides that is the worst case…”   She stopped not sure what to say next.  “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?   Because I don’t want to deal with something unpleasant I ignore it and how I really feel.   Sorry.”  It hurt her to see him frowning at her like he was angry again.

“That frustrates me.  If I don’t know what is scaring you or worrying you, I can’t help or change it.”   Johnny was surprised at how much they were sharing about their feelings with Jeff listening.  “You know you can always tell me what you’re thinking, right?”

“Yes, Boyo.”  Her eyes lowered, contritely.

“Lee why don’t you go get you and John a soda or something.  Give me about 10 minutes alone with him.”

“Ok but be kind as you talk about me.”  She gave them a smile that spoke more than words could have. “You have 15 minutes at the most.”   The   two men laughed and promised to be kind.

 “Look, it is probably not going to happen but if this surgery doesn’t go well…I need to know you are there for her, that things are good between you two.   Does she ever talk much about the year after the wreck?  Or about when her folks died?”

“Not often, just bits and pieces usually with sarcasm aimed at herself.   When we were fighting about her going to Lame Deer she told me about how she was afraid to get mad at anyone she cared about...that if she did something terrible would happen to punish her for being bad.”

“She told you that?  You’ve been married less than 5 years.  She lived with me for 10 years before she told me what had happen before and right after her parents died.  That ayah they had was a suspicious old crone who adored Sara and thought Lee was evil because she didn’t mind her.  She shut down after the doctor told her she’d never walk again…what we didn’t know for a while was what her doctor had called her a few nights later when he went into her room drunk.”

“A barren cripple?  I have heard that from her twice.  Once the day I asked her to marry me and she was telling me why she couldn’t…Once when she was a crying in her sleep after a rejection letter from what she thought was our last hope for a baby.  I’ll be there doing whatever she needs me to do.” 

“In my line of work, like yours and Matt’s there is an element of danger.  She knows that and tries not letting fear control her. She’s strong, almost too strong for her own good.  She is the fixer, the one that has to take care of everyone else.   Just like you…Together you two are pretty unstoppable but there are things you can’t fix.   If the doctors say they want to do a transplant and no other donor can be found, I will let them test her and you.  I wouldn’t make her live with another case of ‘what if guilt.’  It’s highly unlikely either of you would be a match.”

“And if she is?”  Johnny asked looking Jeff in the eyes.  “What would happen then?  If I told her no she couldn’t be a donor she’d hate me for the rest of her life and mine.  And do it anyway.  What if she gave you a kidney and it was rejected?  She would figure it was just something else she wasn’t good enough at…”  Johnny was up walking around like a caged animal.   “She is pretty much set up to fail any way we go with that.” He looked out the window.  “Chloe lost one mother….  I don’t want her to lose another one.   I don’t want to put her through any more surgery unless there is no way around it.”

“Neither do I, and it won’t come to that.  We will find out what is going on when they operate and even if they did suggest a transplant I have the option of saying no.  I won’t hurt her any more than I already have.  I was the one driving the car the day of the wreck.  I’m the one who didn’t tell her to turn around and sit right in the car.  I’m the one Robert Palmer wanted to kill.”  Jeff’s voice had the same quality he had heard in Lee’s when she was so intense.  With a jolt Johnny recognized the expression on his face and realized for the first time how much Jeff looked like his older brother and how many of her expressions Lee must have gotten from her dad and uncle.   “I am her uncle; I was the one who my brother trusted to take care of her.”

“You know I don’t think of you as my uncle-in-law ---more as my father in-law.   I love it when the kids call me Uncle Johnny …but other than that; uncle…it…well, that word doesn’t have a good connotation or memories.   When I think about you or hear someone talk about you, I think of a good person.   I thank you for being there for that scared little 7-year-old…for taking such good care of her and loving her, helping her to grow into the amazing person she is.”

“Thanks.  It was easy loving her.  Did she ever tell you about…”?  Before he could say anything more Lee came back into the room.  She saw the serious looks on the two men she loved most in the world.

“Everything settled?”  She wheeled over to Johnny and handed him the soda.   “Did you figure out how to make me behave?”

“It would be easier to figure out world peace, Sweet Pea.”  Jeff said laughing.  “Are you still calling her that?” Johnny teased. 

“Yeah.” 

Johnny winked at her as he took a drink of the soda.   “I need to find a new name for her, I guess.”

“I think that one works just fine, thank you.”  Lee said with a toss of her head.  “You two share my heart, so I think you should share the same special nickname for me.  We all call Chloe Ladybug or Ms. Ladybug.   Some people don’t like nicknames; I do…They are special.”

 “Just how did she get that name?”    Jeff asked, glad to have the subject changed to something less serious

“Hank started it.  He and Em gave her a really cute outfit that is red and black.  He was joking that with her black hair and dark eyes she looked like a little ladybug.”

“Makes good sense.”  Jeff looked at Lee.  “You need to go home and spend some time with your daughter and friends.  April and Mark will be here a little later and I could use a nap.   John, take care of Chloe and her.”

“Always.  She does a pretty good job of taking care of us.”

 Roy came over to rewrap Johnny’s hand then they walked out to the grove.  The boys were already out there doing some odds and ends for Johnny to earn some spending money.   Johnny was sitting on the picnic table, his feet on the bench.   “We should have brought out some soda or beer.”  Johnny grumbled.  Chris heard him as he was walking past the table to the trash bin.

“There’s still some of the soda and water in the cooler we brought out with us. we’re done so you can have them.”  Chris offered.    “Didn’t bring out any beer except root beer.”  He laughed at the expression on his dad’s face.  The boys knew the pantry fridge was full of beer, wine coolers and sodas and no one ever checked to see what they took from it when they came out here.

“That’d  be ok, Junior here can’t drink anything stronger than root beer anyway.”  Roy answered.  “Antibiotics and alcohol don’t mix.  Not to mention pain killers.”  Getting a dig in because he was pretty sure Johnny had skipped the pain meds he was supposed to take earlier.   Jimmy brought them over two sodas then they went back to the house.

“What’s on your mind?”  Roy asked seeing Johnny squirm a little.

“Still trying to figure out how I did something so stupid as turning that oven to broil.  And even more stupid was the way I acted the other morning.  Can you believe I actually walked out of that house without saying I love you or giving her a kiss?  Hell, I don’t think I even told her good bye.   What if something worse had happened?  Would her last memories of me been of me being a jerk?  The worst part about it was she honestly didn’t know why I was mad.  She thought it was because she went to see Jeff before checking on me.  She thought he was dying because someone misread a message.”  

Johnny crumbled the now empty pop can into a ball.  “Ya know the worst part of this?”  He held up the bandaged hand.  “I can’t pick up my baby.  It wouldn’t be safe for her.  I had to sit and listen to her crying until Ibbie could come and get her.  I went over to her and held her tiny little finger talking to her, but I couldn’t pick her up.   Ibbie took her in and changed her then set her on my lap on a pillow so I could give her a bottle.  I was glad Lee wasn’t there to see that.   This hand hurts like Billy Blue Blazes because that doctor yanked the gauze off it because he was being a jerk about us being paramedics.  He made Morton’s bedside manner look good.   There are two places right on the knuckles that makes me want to scream every time I move my fingers.  If I don’t move them they could stiffen and never be right again.  That doctor was just full of jolly tidbits of information.   Lee worrying about me and Jeff sent her blood pressure out of control…Ya know she usually scares us with it getting too low…Maybe you’re right…maybe we should think about changing jobs one of these days.” 

Roy listened knowing Johnny needed to vent more than he needed comments.  There had been a time when John Gage would have held all that frustration and anger inside.  Being taught that showing emotion made you look weak.  Maybe that was one of the reasons so many on the reservation had a problem with alcohol…the frustration at not being able to express how you felt.  Knowing Johnny and the bond they had formed had helped Roy learn to deal with his feelings.  Jo and others had seen the change in the reserved man and saw him as a stronger wiser person because of it.

“Thanks for listening Pally…like always.”  Johnny said as he stood up.  “Let’s go see what our family is up to now.

Lee was in the pool with Jen and Stacy.  Chloe was in her jogging stroller sleeping happily after a bottle and a diaper change.  The boys back from the grove had gone to clean up to go with some of their scout friends to a movie.  Kathy and Jo had come over with their contribution to dinner.  Roy and Johnny joined them by the pool.

“I don’t know about you two but I’m getting hungry.  You about ready to get out?”  Even though both girls were strong swimmers Lee wasn’t comfortable leaving them in the pool alone.

“Can we show daddy and Uncle John how we sink or size swim,” Stacy asked eager to show off her new skills

“Sink or what?”  Johnny questioned with a laugh.  Roy was relieved to hear him laugh he had been really quiet walking back from the grove.

“You know, Uncle Johnny…it’s when you dance in the water.”  Stacy explained.

 “Yeah when we do ballet in the water.”  Jenny added

“The word is synchronized.” Lee clarified.  “Ok, let’s go to the center of the pool.”    The girls moved so one was on each side of her.    “Point your toes down, arms above your head…1-2-3 arms down…1-2-3- kick to the left…now to the right…circle all the way around…Ok, now the big finish...on 3 1-2-3. They all turned a somersault in the water, the girls keeping their legs straight.  Lee was too tired to keep her legs up as straight as they should have been. The girls did another somersault this time popping up out of the water when they surfaced.   Their audience clapped and cheered as the two girls did one last hand stand.  The cheering woke up Chloe who protested loudly.

“Kathy, can you get her?”  Lee called as she swam over to the lift chair.  Roy lowered the lift and waited until she was belted before raising her out of the water.  Kathy took the crying baby inside as Lee transferred over into the waiting wheel chair.  “Girls go get dressed while we start dinner.  Johnny, can you start the grill?”

“Gladly.” 

“There are prebaked stuffed potatoes wrapped in foil in the fridge and steaks are in plastic bowl with stuff on them.”  She said as she started to the house.  He turned the grill on then went inside.

He went into their bedroom.  He could hear the shower running so he sat down on the bed after letting Lee know he was out there.  The new dressing on his hand wasn’t as balky and he could wiggle his fingers a little. 

He still had trouble believing he had done something so stupid.   He wasn’t sure if they would give him the ok a return to duty when he went in to let the doctor check the blisters.  The skin on his knuckles and a few other spots was still pink and tender looking.  He moved his fingers gingerly to keep them flexible. 

Lee came out of the shower and smiled at seeing him there.  He was looking so much more relaxed than he had been.  She knew something was on his mind.  Something that was bothering him and he was working through it but wasn’t ready to share.   She had a strong feeling it had something to do with the station so she wasn’t going to ask questions.She pulled herself to her feet.

 “So how long have you been working sink or size” Johnny said laughing as he watched Lee getting dressed.   He never tired of watching her as she moved so easily.   He knew it had taken her a lot of hard work to move like that, making it look easy. 

“We do it whenever we want.  I was doing some of the moves as a change from the usual exercises…They wanted to try it so we did…Do you think when Chloe is older she will want to take dance or music lessons?  Jeff was teaching me to play the guitar but I wasn’t very good at it…. Oh well, let’s go see how dinner is coming.” He went over to her and kissed her very lightly.

“She’ll do whatever she wants…and like her mother she’ll be good at anything she is interested in.”

Jo and Kathy had set up the food buffet style, Roy and Jim were grilling the steaks and had salmon ready to put on. 

“Glad you two came out we were getting ready to start without you.”  Roy announced.

“The girls wanted hot dogs.”  They were sitting off by themselves at the child sized picnic table Johnny had made for them over the winter.

“You know what we always say, make yourselves at home.”  Lee giggled as Johnny whispered something in her ear.   “I’ll take that as a major compliment, Boyo.”  She was blushing.  “There’s cut up fresh fruit in the fridge in the pantry and a plate of cheese cubes and some good blue cheese.  Would you go get it, please, Johnny?”

“Ya know what she is going to do?  She is going to ruin that steak by putting blue cheese on it.”   Johnny complained as he went towards the kitchen.

“He’s just fussing because he figures he’ll get to eat my left over steak.”  

She went over to the table to fix herself a salad.  “There is more beer inside if your want another one Jim…I forgot to remind Johnny to refill it after the last cook out.  Things have been a little hectic around here lately.”  Johnny came back outside and soon all were enjoying the meal.  Johnny took it in stride when Roy reached over and cut his steak without a second thought.

“How is Jeff?”  Jim asked. 

“He’s looking better and he is thinks they will probably do the surgery soon.   They were waiting on blood work when we left.  His temp has been normal for 24 hours now.   His blood pressure is really good.”

“And how is yours?”  Kathy questioned.

“Just fine now that the two men I love most in the world aren’t lying in hospital beds without me having a clue what is happening.  You know I like to be in control.  Weren’t you the one that called me a control freak not too long ago?”

“And weren’t you the one who agreed with me?”   Kathy had her hand on her hip giving Lee the same look she gave the kids when they were misbehaving.

Johnny and Roy stood back enjoying the exchange between the two head strong women.  Jo and Jim were laughing at the expression on Kathy’s face as Lee stuck her tongue out and giggled.

“Aunt Lee didn’t you tell us it wasn’t nice to stick your tongue out at people when I did it to Jimmy?”  Stacy asked as she and Jenny watched the adults. 

“It isn’t, but your mom was being mean to me…”

“But you said even if someone was being mean we shouldn’t be.”  Stacy told her.

“Honey, your mom and Aunt Lee are just playing…they aren’t really being mean.”Johnny said laughing.  “Aunt Lee was just being silly, ok?”

“Her and Mom are best friend just like me and Jenny are going to be when we are grown up.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” Johnny said.  “Best friends are pretty special”

“Yeah they are Junior.”  Roy said saluting him with the bottle he had in his hand.  

The adults all raised their glasses in agreement to the impromptu to toast.

The next morning Lee and Johnny drove into Rampart.  Lee had debated about taking Chloe but after talking it over with Johnny, had decided it was better to leave her with Kathy who wasn’t working that morning.     Lee seldom left Chloe with Jo unless it was an emergency because of Jo’s mother’s disapproval.  Not that Lee gave a flying fig about what Arlene thought of her but because of the tension it caused between mother and daughter.  Johnny went to the ER to get his hand checked while Lee made a quick run into her office.  As she expected Nell had everything well in hand. 

Jeff was up sitting in a chair.  A real shower and shave had been a pleasure.   In fact, he had enjoyed that more than the tepid cup of tea they had allowed him at breakfast.

“Good morning Sweet Pea.  What are you doing here so early?” 

“John Roderick has many virtues, but patience is not among them.  He finds out today if he can go to work tomorrow.     Nell sends her love and a reminder if you need anything give her a call.  So how is your morning going?”

“The   kidney guy was in… tomorrow they’re going in to take a closer look at what’s going on.  He seems to think it’s not as serious as they first thought.  If all goes well I can be out of here in 3 or 4 days.”

“That’s wonderful.  Then to our house for about 2 weeks?”  She cocked her head giving him the sideways glance he remembered so well.  Sometimes that glance was playful like now, sometimes it had been angry or sarcastic…and there was a new look.  The one she saved for her Boyo.   No matter what the doctors found he had no worries about her now.

Downstairs in the ER things were not going as smoothly.  The young resident, Dr. Rao, who had taken care of Johnny’s hand initially, saw him in the waiting room.

He strode over to Johnny.  “What are you doing here?”

“Need to get this checked and a return to work order.”  Johnny had really been hoping to see Kel or Joe.

“You were told to have your family doctor check it out, not come back in here bothering us.”

Neither man had heard the head ER nurse coming over to them.   “Tiger, Kel will be finished in room 3 in just a few moments.    If you want to grab a cup of coffee I just made a fresh pot.”

“Thanks Dix.”  He walked away before he said something he shouldn’t have.   New doctors were touchy and he didn’t need to be making any of them mad.  Unhappily the new doctor wasn’t as bright as Johnny.  He turned to the Dixie, a very unpleasant look on his face.

“When I want input from a nurse I will ask for.  Don’t you ever correct a doctor in front of a patient.  Nurses are here to assist the doctor’s, that is your function.  It is highly unprofessional to call a doctor by a nickname to a patient.  No matter how friendly you are with the patient.”

Dixie stood with her hand on her hip looking at the upstart.  She smiled hearing her friend Peggy as clearly as if she had been standing there.  'He’s a baby doodle doctor…Let him live and he may grow up to be an ok doctor.'

“Doctor, my function is to see that the patients get their best possible care.  Now, I would suggest if you have a problem with me or John Gage you talk it over with Kelly Brackett.  Kel will be available an after he sees Johnny.”  She smiled, turned and went back to her stool behind the nurse’s desk.   The doctor scowled at the nurse who ignored him.

Johnny was sitting on the exam table flexing his hand to show Kel the range of motion he had.  He did agree with Kel’s evaluation that his grip was still little weak.

“I really think you need to take another shift off.  Use the hand; get more power in your grip.   Squeeze a tennis ball, use the hand as much as possible.  But, no lifting anything over 10 pounds.”

“Sure thing Doc.”  Johnny wasn’t happy about the missed shift but it could have been a lot worse especially since Chloe was under 10 pounds.  “You and Dix still planning on coming out to the house on the fourth?”

“Looking forward to it.   Lee was pretty excited about the changes you’ve made out at the grove.  Said you were building a pond?” 

“Yeah it’s just about finished.  Roy and Hector have helped a little, but I did most of it myself.   The kids helped with planting some flowers.  They needed to earn some money for when we go to Catalina.   Their folks said we couldn’t just give them spending money.’’

“You going to give Chloe an allowance when she is older.”

“Doc, if it was possible I’d give her and her mom the world.   The worst thing about this hand was not being able to pick her up and only hold her when we were sitting down.  We have some of our best conversations as we stroll around.”

“She’s a good conversationalist?”  Kel asked laughing.

“The best.   For one thing she usually agrees with me.”  Johnny grinned.  “Doc, I swear she understands what I’m saying no matter what language I use.”

“You going to take her to Lame Deer when she’s older?”  Kel knew that the visit to Lame Deer had evoked mixed emotions from both Johnny and Lee.

“I honestly don’t know…right now I have no intentions of ever going back there.  Lee insisted we send money to fund a scholarship to Dull Knife in Anna and Mark’s memory.   Think they used it to help set up a day care /preschool at the college. Besides providing a safe place for the kids while the parents are in class, it provides a ‘hands on’ teaching program for child care professionals and parents.  Lee used the day care center here as a model when she sent the proposal to the college.”

“I know that the day care and pediatric ward and play room were always two places she was very generous.”

“Think I better go check on her.  She’s been really worried about Jeff.  She tries to hide it so I won’t worry about her.”   He got off the table.  “I’ll go let her know this is healing well.”  

They walked out of the room together.  Kel was frowning at something Johnny said about Jeff when the young doctor interrupted.

“Dr. Brackett I told this fireman that he was to go see his family doctor on the follow up for that minor burn.  Not only did he ignore me one, of the nurses corrected me in front of the patient telling him to go help himself to coffee.  She had a total disregard of procedure or a total lack of knowing what correct procedure is.”

Kel looked over to Johnny who grinned and shrugged “It was Dix.”

“Dr. Rao, John is a paramedic and as such he is my patient.  A second degree burn on the hand is not minor when it affects the hand movement and Dixie is the head nurse in ER and she knows procedure.”  Kel nodded at Johnny.   “Think he needs a ride along?   Lee keeps telling me all residents should have to do at least 12 hours with you guys.”

“She tells me the same thing about certain doctors, only she wants them to spend 24 hours with Brice.”

“Who is she mad at?”  Kel laughed.  “Go let her know you’re ok and swimming is fine but no volleyball.   But I do want a rematch …and another one of her prime rib dinners.” 

The resident stood there shocked that the head of ER would actually be friends with one of his underlings. 

The alarm went off and Johnny looked over at her as he got up.  “Exercises or shower?”

“Shower…after some cuddle time, ok?”

“Always ready for that.”  He wiggled his eyebrows making her giggle. 

“I’m scared Boyo.  I know he said they didn’t think it was serious as they first thought…”

He helped her move until she was lying with her head nestled on his shoulder.  They didn’t talk, just laid there close. He felt her body relax as his hand moved stroking her body lightly.  He repositioned her letting her responses show what was feeling right now.  Her responding to his touch made his touches more urgent.  She was clinging to him more than ever, she was scared and he was her security. 

The shower was slow and relaxing. She let him massage her back as she stood   holding onto the rail, then eased her down onto the seat while he squatted down and massaged her legs.  She arched when he hit a particularly tight muscle in her left calf.  His strong fingers kneaded the knot away.

Lee was feeding Chloe when Ibbie got there.  Johnny was sitting at the table talking to them as he ate his breakfast.  He knew if Lee ate anything she would probably throw up so he planned on stopping to get her a lemon slush on the way

Roy dropped off the package Lee had sent on the kitchen table then went in to get changed.  Mike and Marco were already there as was Rob Jones.  Roy was comfortable working with Rob as he had subbed several times “So how was John feeling this morning?”  Marco asked. 

“I talked to him just a few minutes.  He’ll be back next shift.  He was getting ready to take Lee over to Rampart so she could see Jeff before they took him into surgery.”

Chet came into the locker room and looked around.  Not seeing ‘his pigeon’ he couldn’t resist a snide comment.  “So Gage still milking that burn?  Man, he has it down to a science.   Some guys know how to work it.”

“Yeah he had to work at not screaming when  they pulled off the gauze and when they cleaned the burn.  He had to work it when the bandages were changed and he was told to move his fingers when it hurt like hell.  He had to work really hard at listening to his baby cry and wait for someone else to pick her up and comfort her without smashing his other fist through a wall.  He had to work hard at being pleasant, watching the kids and not joining in on the fun.  Yeah I’d say he learned how to work it.”   The anger in his voice surprised even himself.   

There was still that feeling that something was wrong with this whole situation.  They were missing something.  Chet’s attitude wasn’t helping matters.  Usually when Johnny was hurt or sick, Kelly showed more concern.  It was like he was kept reminding them John was at fault.  “He wouldn’t have been here today anyway.  He isn’t going to be too far from Lee, Jeff is having his surgery today.

“How serious is it?  Mike asked.”

“They are trying to find out what the mass is on his kidney.  The blood levels were all messed up and they just aren’t sure.  It could be a couple of different things.”

Roll call was over and the men were out in the kitchen getting one last cup of coffee before starting chores.  Chet had latrine duty so he wasn’t in any hurry. 

“So what’s in the package?”  He said eyeing the unmarked box.

“Corning ware casserole dishes.   Lee thought we could to use them.   They were some extra ones she had out in the pool house.  Think she bought them when we were living there.”

“So what makes her think we want her hand me downs?”  Chet said nastily.

“Kelly, that’s uncalled for.”  Hank Stanley looked at him not believing what he was hearing.  “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing   just tired of everyone acting like Gage and Lee are the center of this station…Everything has to be about them.”

Cap shook his head and dismissed them to their chores.   Roy and Rob went to do the morning checks then their chores.  Roy was glad to be alone in the dorm.  He needed time to think and time to cool down.   Lee had sent the pans because Johnny had asked her to get one to replace the one he broke by being carless.  But had he been?   It didn’t make sense that …The SCU tones sent him and Rob off on a man down call.

Lee and Johnny had a few minutes with him before Jeff went into the operating room.  Kel had also talked to them briefly but for the most part they sat quietly waiting.  Johnny had brought along a book and she had grant applications to read over.   Johnny was watching her at the table making notes and looking up at the clock every few minutes. 

An hour after the operation began.“I’m going up to the office and get a soda…you want anything?” He asked needing to get up and move around.

“Ice cold ginger ale sounds good.   Dig one out from the very back, ok?” 

“You going to be ok for a few minutes?  I won’t be long.”   He got up kissing her before leaving.

An older couple were watching them from across the room.   The lady shook her head no but the gentleman went over to Lee. 

“Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?”  He smiled at Lee looking uneasy.  “About the young man who is with you.”

“My husband?  Ok?’   Not sure what they were going to say but ready to defend him if need be.

“Is he a fireman?  One of the ones that does medical stuff?” 

“He is a paramedic who works out of Station 51.”

“I thought I recognized him.  We were in a car wreck several weeks ago.  My son and daughter and our 2 grandchildren were in a station wagon.  A drunk driver ran a red light.  My son and his wife and their little girl could have died if it hadn’t been for your husband and his friends...   He risked his life for them.  There was another young man who saved our grandson.   He was bleeding very badly from a cut on his arm.  The doctor told us he and my son would have bled to death if they hadn’t received such quick treatment and of such high quality.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me.   Your family is doing well?”

“Oh yes, Chloe Lynne, our granddaughter is going to have her first dance recital soon.   She is 8.  She loves ballet and was so afraid she wouldn’t be able to be in her recital.   Her foot was caught under the seat and was cut.  She had to have 10 stitches.”

“Our daughter’s name is Chloe Elizabeth…She’s 2 months old.”  Lee had tears in her eyes.   “Johnny went to get me a soda when he comes back I’m sure he’ll want to talk with you.”

“We didn’t want to bother you but I was so sure it was him.   I wanted to thank him.  Are you here for a family member?”

“My uncle who raised me.  My family was killed by a drunk driver when I was l was just a little younger than your granddaughter.”

 “That explains a lot about your husband’s attitude.  He knows firsthand the pain of losing family.”   Not knowing how true those words were. “Is that why you’re in a wheelchair?  Oh forgive me for asking too many questions.   I was a newspaper editor for many years.  A small town upstate.”

“Johnny was an excellent paramedic before he had ever met me.   I’m very proud of him.”

“That’s easy to see when you speak of him.  My wife’s sister is having her broken hip repaired.  She fell at the nursing home.  Feisty gal at 90.  My Dinah is the youngest of four sisters, a child of 78.”  He laughed and went back to his wife. 

  Johnny came back soon afterwards with the sodas and a cupcake.  Lee introduced him to the older couple and went back to her work as he and the couple talked. 

The time passed slowly but Lee was able keep her fears in check.  The older couple had left with the news that the older sister had come through her operation with flying colors.  Lee had gone to the restroom and Johnny was looking out the window waiting for her to return.  He turned at the sound of someone coming into the room.

“Hey, Pally…”  Johnny did a quick once over to make sure his partner wasn’t hurt. 

‘How’s it going?”

“Not too bad.   We needed some supplies and I had to get some things for dinner.  Any word yet?”

“No.  They had told us it could be a long process.  Lee’s handling the wait pretty well.  We had a nice conversation with an older couple, the Dixons…We took care of them and their son and his family awhile back…”   Roy was glad to hear the family was doing well and that Johnny and Lee were doing good also.  Lee came in   just as Roy was leaving.   She appreciated him coming to check on them and told him so.

Four hours after he went into surgery Jeff Spencer was ready to go to the recovery room.   What had been called a simple exploratory surgery had ended up being more.   Dr. Josh Booth was not looking forward to the conversation he was about to have with the patient’s niece.  From what Kelly Brackett had told him it was more of a father/daughter relationship.   He had heard that she could be hard to get along with.   He was hoping Kelly would be able to go with him.   He picked up the phone and called down to the ER. 

“ER, Miss McCall.”  Dixie answered on the second ring.

“Dixie, it’s Josh.  Is Kelly available?”

“He is just coming out of treatment room 3.”  She had motioned him over.  “Here he is.”  She handed the phone to him.  “It’s Josh.”

“Josh, how did it go?”

“We had some rough moments.  I was wondering if you could come up to the waiting room while I talk with the family.”

“Give me about 5 minutes.  I need to write up some prescriptions.”

The nurse went out to the waiting room and looked for Lee and Johnny.  She went over to them telling them Jeff was in recovery and the doctor would soon be out.  Lee let out a sound that was a mix of a sigh and a sob. 

“Thanks Sheryl.”  Johnny said giving Lee’s shoulder a supportive squeeze.

Josh and Kel came into the waiting room together.  Johnny froze when he saw the look on Kel’s face.

“We can talk here or in my office.”  Kel said.

“Your office.”   Lee answered softly.   

Lee looked at the two doctors as she felt Johnny’s arms tighten around her.    Kel smiled at the familiar protective position.

“He came through surgery but his condition is serious…The mass was a combination of scar tissue and infection.  A kidney stone at the center of the scar tissue had caused a blockage.  The repair work was delicate and I am confident that that problem is resolved.  The problem is the toxins from the infection has damaged the left kidney to the point I’m not sure it will fully recover normal function.   The good news is the right kidney while infected seems to be in much better shape. The scar tissue is the result of injury and corrective surgeries from multiple gunshot wounds according to the medical history I received?   How did that happen?”

 “My wife and her uncle were the victims of attempted murder.  He was shot, causing a serious car wreck.”

“Lee, there is every reason to think he will fully recover.  It is going to be a slow recovery and will involve some changes in life style.”  Kelly added.  “But nothing too drastic except maybe at work.” 

“He just got a promotion. This was his last field assignment.  He will be a section manager.   Some traveling but mostly from DC to Washington.”

“What line a work is he in?”  Josh asked.

“He is an international security consultant for a firm that does contract work for governments and large corporations.”   Lee said giving the standard explanation.  “His background is Naval Intelligence and being a partner in a successful private investigation firm.”

“Well, I think we can say that tendency you have to develop excessive scar tissue after any procedure is probably genetic.  As is the problem with low blood pressure.”

Lee sat there as Johnny asked questions and answered some that Dr. Booth had.  She was numb but it was a feeling of relief rather than dread. 

“Oh there was one other question…In his blood work there were several toxic compounds we could not identify.  We aren’t sure if they are partially to blame for the infection and the way some drugs reacted.”

“That may have been due to something he came into contact with on the job.  If you would package up several vials of blood, we will arrange for it to be flown to a special lab.  One that deals with this type of problem.   Or we can arrange to have a chemist flown in who will set up her own lab.  I’ll have two of his co- workers get in touch with you.  How soon can we see him?”  Lee answered his question and asked one of her own.

“I’d suggest you come back in about an hour and a half…go get something to eat.”  Josh looked relieved when the couple left.  Lee said to call them at O’Sheas’ if anything came up before they got back.

“She wasn’t what I was led to expect and he asked some pretty technical questions.”

“John is an excellent paramedic.  I would guess once he knew Jeff had some kidney problems he was doing some major research.  Lee’s… Lee is what and who she wants to be at any given moment.  Fair warning…Don’t ever take her for granted or doubt what she tells you she is gonna do.  Don’t sugar coat or lie to her when she asks you a question.”

“I heard she got an administrator fired because she didn’t like his taste in art.”

“He left because he didn’t like her questioning his ethics on how he acquired the art.  I need to get back to the ER.  Call if you need anything.”

Johnny was holding Chloe as Lee was cleaning up after dinner.  It felt good to have her on his shoulder, burping her.  “Do you think we could take a walk when you’re done?  I want to show you what the boys have been doing.  I think you’ll like it.”

“I won’t like it; I’ll love it because you made it for us.   Made it because you love us and want me to be able to enjoy the outdoors that you love so much.”   Lee was surprised to find herself sobbing.   Johnny quickly put Chloe down and went over to her.  He undid her seat belt and carried her into the bedroom. Talking softly, he laid her down then went into the bathroom and got a glass of cold water.   By the time he got back to her she was trying to get her breathing under control.  He didn’t say anything until she put the down the glass.

“Feel better?”   She nodded not trusting her voice.  “Want to tell me what that was about or do you even know?”

“Just feeling over whelmed… was so scared of what they would find today. What if he had needed a transplant donor and I couldn’t be one?   What if they had wanted you to be a donor?  How would I have made you understand why I couldn’t let you be a donor?

“Why not if I had been a suitable match?”  A little surprised at that. 

“Because if you had given him a kidney you couldn’t t be a firefighter…I would never ask you to do that.   I told you a long time ago I would never ask you to give up your job.   I ask you to do so much already because of things I can’t do.” 

He brushed his fingers across her check.   “Like what?   You ask me to help with Chloe…which I love doing, You ask me to help with dinner and clean up once in a while and you know how I love your cooking and how proud I am of our home.    Sometimes you ask me to put something down or put something up for you…I love feeling needed.   You do much more for me than I can even start to do for you.”

“Hey, we’re going for a walk, remember?   I’ll do a quick diaper check then you can get Chloe in her stroller.   Why don’t we put some sodas in the carrier?”  He kissed her lightly on the forehead.  “It’s going to be ok.”

The walk to the grove was a quiet one.  It was the easy quiet two people had when they were comfortable with each other on every level.  Lee hadn’t been out here since Chloe’s homecoming party.   Johnny had wanted her wait until it was finished to see what he had built for them.   This was a special place he built for her so they could share his love of the outdoors. 

“Do you like it?”  He asked the look on his face pleading for her to say yes, for her to understand why he had done it.  Roy and Hector had helped some but the majority of the work was his hands alone.  He knew she had been excited listening to the kids teasing her about helping Uncle Johnny with his surprise.  And that they had been proud of his trusting them to be part of the special secret project.  

“It’s beautiful.   You did this for me.  You could have hired it done, but you did it for me and Chloe.  This is a living love letter.” There was a mixture of joy and awe in her face and voice as she looked around. 

The pond was bigger than she had imagined it would be.  There was a place where the earth was tamped down hard with a lip built up across the front of it.  The perfect place to park her chair so she could fish.  There was grass and wild flowers planted in a mix of color and sizes to frame the pond.  The fire ring was larger and built up higher. 

The roughhewn benches were placed around it the perfect distance so long handled fork or sticks could reach over the fire to cook hotdogs or gooey toasted marshmallows but still be safe for Jen and Stacy (and the boy) to do independently.  The stone barbecue was longer and wider than most and she thought the grills was raised a little higher than usual. 

 The chairs and picnic table had been moved a little and it was obvious the placement was carefully thought out.   There was a locked wooden box that would hold the long forks and other utensils needed for cooking out here.  The lid made a perfect table top.  

 Another smaller stone box like was closer to the chairs, away from the fires.  There was a large room that reminded her of a screened in porch.  Right now four sides had canvas tarps were lowered to act as walls.  The fourth was a fine mesh netting with an opening that was zipped shut.   There were flowers planted around the outside of the room.   The swing he had made for her had been moved closer to the room as had several chairs.

 The tire swing and football target and the soccer goals were still in place, although Lee thought maybe the goals had been moved a little.   When he had first found out she was rich he had worried that anything he ever gave her could never be as good as what she could buy herself.   But looking at her face now he knew no amount of money could ever buy her anything she would cherish more. 

“How do I tell you thank you for such a gift?”  She whispered as he stood behind her in his usual protective position, his chin resting lightly on her head.  They stayed out there as it grew darker.   He went to the locked box and took out a battery powered lantern and a small but powerful flashlight.

“There is another flashlight in there that’ll stay out here.  There is a first aid kit and a handy talkie in the box too.   I tried to stock it with whatever I thought we would need out here.   I want to get a cedar box to put in the room to keep pillows and blankets and maybe some sweaters and jackets in.   Who knows we may even camp out here some night.  There is a privacy curtain for the front side also.  And there is a cot we can set up as a changing table back in the rover…I just haven’t got it and a few other little things done out here.   Were you surprised?”

“Yeah, I was.  I knew the kids had been planting flowers but I never dreamed it would be anything like this.”

“When you look closer to their flowers by the pond you’ll find a special surprise from the girls.  But I promised them you wouldn’t go looking for it until they were out here with us.   There is even a radio and cassette player in the supply box.”

“I can’t believe you got all this done in less than two months.”

“Hector helped a lot with the pond and Roy and I did the room.  The guy from the park service asked me if he could use this one day for a family gathering and I told him sure.  He was really helpful with permits and letting me gather fallen wood from their land that borders us.  I made the benches from a couple of logs from over there.  All those evenings I spent out in my wood shop I wondered if it was going to be worth the time I didn’t spend with you.”  They had moved over to the swing and Johnny was holding Chloe as she slept curled up on his shoulder. “But I think it was, seeing you smile like that.”

“Ya know, sometimes when she is curled up like that she reminds me of a fire dragon curled up feeling safe and loved on her owner’s shoulder.” Lee said with a giggle.  “And just like the fire dragons and their owners I’m not sure who is really the master of the pair.”

They stayed out there until Chloe reminded them it was time for her to eat.

“Let’s leave her stroller in the tent and I’ll drive out in the morning and get it.  You’re tired and I can’t push you both.”  Johnny said as he handed the fussy baby to Lee.

Chet was shooting pool with Muller and some of his friends from 88.  It bothered Chet that Marco had been too busy with his family and Anita to come with them.  Since he had started dating Anita, he had become more like an old married man than a bachelor.   Chet and Suzi had been dating pretty steadily but her working and going to school had cut down their time together. 

“Gage still boring everyone with pictures of that brat?  Who does he think he is fooling? She caught him sleeping around so they concocted that story about adopting some poor little orphan…Hell, I bet they paid a pretty penny to keep that mama’s mouth shut.  Just their good luck that little Injun gal got hit by a truck.   No decent white folks are gonna let a half breed and some crip raise a kid.  No matter how much money she throws around.”   If you ask me that money they paid those injuns and doctor’s in Montana was for that kid.”  Muller took another swig of his beer. 

He hadn’t liked Gage since they first met years ago.  And he liked Lee even less since she had him and his friends removed from a party at her apartment before she and Johnny were married.  She had threatened to call the police on them and he had been the laughing stock of the station for him backing down.  “What do you think Chet?  Gage really that kid’s father?  That his bastard?”

“Could be, she sure looks like him.”  Even as he said it Chet felt a pang of guilt.   He knew Johnny would never cheat on Lee and that as much as they had wanted a child neither Johnny nor Lee would do anything illegal to get one.  “It’s an Indian just like him…Lee said something about the kid’s great grandmother and Johnny’s great grandmother being cousins.”   Deep inside of him Chet felt bad talking about Chloe like that… he had been asked to be one of her uncles, part of her family.  She was just a baby…why make cracks like that about her?

“She’s gonna say whatever she thinks will make people buy their story.  You can believe her if you want but I still say that kid is a…” Before he could finish the sentence the waitress came over with another round of drinks and it was his turn to shoot.   Chet was glad the subject was dropped

Lee was very nervous waiting for April and Mark to bring Jeff home.  They had made all the arrangements and had even taken care to make sure to keep Johnny in the loop.  They had talked to him a long time, close enough for her to see them but not hear what was being said.  

He had looked grim but had not reacted badly.   They had told her that the chemist from New York had come and done the blood work to identify the unknown chemicals Rampart had found.  Not just what they were but on finding the answers needed to insure Jeff’s health. 

April and Mark would be there to help Jeff as needed.  When he was not on shift Johnny of course would help anyway needed.  He had offered to apply for vacation days but she had said no.   It was the time of year when vacation days were at a peak and she did not want to add to the scheduling problems.  

 She also knew he worries when Roy was in the squad with a sub.  Long before she had known Johnny, he had made Jo a promise to do his best to send Roy safely home after each shift.    That was as true now as it had been then.  

She felt so tired and so ready to let someone else be in charge.  She wanted to feel that peace she had felt out in the grove, when it was just her and the Boyo and Chloe. 

Mark helped Jeff get settled in the recliner as April and Lee watched.

“I’ll go shopping for him.”   April said realizing Jeff didn’t have any clothes there other than the ones Lee had brought to the hospital for him to wear home and the pj’s and robe she had brought earlier.

“He has a few things he keeps here so it shouldn’t be any problem.  I’d say he’ll be in pj’s or sweats for a while until the incision heals some.   Put the meds in this box and we’ll put them in the dresser drawer.” 

When they went back out to the front room Jeff smiled as he sipped the tall glass of ice water Mark had gotten for him.

“I’ll never take a glass of ice water for granted again.”  Now after being limited on his fluid intake he was being encouraged to drink as much water and watered down cranberry juice as he could.   Lee smiled and promised him there would be a pitcher of ice water by the chair and his bed for the next few days.

Johnny and Roy had finished their chores and had helped with the hose tower and were now working on the log book.  It had been a quiet day but neither mentioned it not wanting to tempt fate. 

Roy noticed the far off look Johnny would get then a shake of his head to bring himself back to the task at hand.

“Why don’t you go call her and stop worrying so much?”  Roy said as he closed the log book.  “It’s time I should be starting dinner any way.”

“What are you fixing?”  He put his notebook back in his pocket.  Standing up he stretched his arms behind his back.  “Seems like lunch was a long time ago.”

“Got some chicken quarters and some corn on the cob…going to grill the chicken and the corn.  We can eat healthy and it will still be good.”

“You sound like Dr. Morton.  He was being a pain the other day.”  Johnny said. “I think he’s been giving bedside lessons to that Dr. Rao.”    He flexed his hand frowning a little at how stiff it was feeling then went out to call Lee.

The quick conversation with her made him feel better.   She sounded more relaxed and said everything was fine.  He flexed his hand noticing the small splits on two of his fingers.  They didn’t really hurt, but it was annoying.   He must have bumped them against something.    He began helping Roy with dinner, cleaning the corn.    Cap was in his office, Marco, Chet and Mike were outside and had started the grill.  

“You know what would go really good with this?”  Johnny said.

“What?”  Roy asked having a good idea what he was gonna say. 

“Some of the herb and cheese bread in the freezer.  Sliced thick and grilled…”  He went over to get it out of the freezer. 

Chet had come into the kitchen to see what was going on and if he could find a way to get some jabs in at Gage.  

“You’re letting Gage near a knife?   You looking for more paid vacation days?” Roy seemed to be ignoring him and the others were starting to act the same.  It didn’t dawn on him that it was his attitude that was the problem.  The more he hung out with Muller from 88 the worse it was getting.  “The guys don’t need any more burnt offerings so keep him away from the grill.”   He walked out with a smirk. 

He had seen the look on Gage’s face.   He’d regret saying his food hurt his stomach.   It hadn’t been his fault that Gage wasn’t smart enough not to set a hot pan down on a counter in a puddle of cold water.   Muller was right Gage had gotten so big headed he didn’t bother to care how he treated other people.

“Don’t let him get to you, Junior.”  Roy seemed to know what Johnny was feeling. 

“It seems as if lately everything I do irritates him.  I didn’t do anything to him.”  Johnny shook his head.  “He acts like I hurt my hand on purpose.”

“Come on, let’s get this chicken on the grill.”  

Dinner was pleasant, and  even Chet and Johnny seemed to have called a truce for the time being which may have been due to the look Hank had given them both when they first came to the table. They had cleaned the kitchen and were trying to decide what to watch on television when the call came in.  The SCU sounded louder and harsher than usual.

 The four buildings formed a pleasant court yard with a fountain and seating in the center.  An antique store, a clothing store, an arts and crafts store and a photographer’s studio occupied the space, all with a slightly vintage flair.  Johnny thought he and Lee had brought some things there one Christmas.

There were inside passage ways connecting the stores as well as the covered walk way outside.    As it was late in the day three of the stores were closed and only two had anyone in them.  There were employees in the antique shop getting the next day’s deliveries processed and they all had   made it out safely.  Most of the flames seemed to be coming from the art store.

“Marco, go back up… DeSoto and Gage… Kelly, Muller, James, concentrate on that craft store.”

Theo Wilson, the photographer, had gotten the couple who was in the store with him out to safety.  Then with a quick look around to make sure no one was watching went back into his studio. 

There was film and pictures that needed to be saved.  People had entrusted him with their special memories, the most important events in their lives, a wedding or special birthday or anniversary. 

There was a family portrait that had 5 generations…he had to save that as there had been a death and no longer was it 5 generations.  

 Most of the film and negatives were in the special fire proof safe but that family portrait with its negatives was on the counter in the work room.  He had been working on it when the couple had come in to make arrangements for him to do their wedding pictures.  

 He gathered up the print and the folder with the negatives and made his way back to the safe.  He got the precious materials inside and the door safely closed.  He started making his way through the smoke towards the doorway.  Before he could get out the smoke over took him and everything went black.

“I’ll check the store, it’s closed but there may be a worker in there.”  Roy said before settling his mask over his face.  

=

 John nodded in agreement as he started into the photography studio.  He didn’t feel an intense heat of flame but he still proceeded carefully.   He knew the danger was more from the chemicals in the smoke than flame at this point.  

 He saw the form lying on the floor.  The man was on his side and as Johnny got closer he saw he was wedged between the counter and a large shelving unit.   Looking back behind the man, Johnny realized that was the dark room, a space full of chemicals. 

This made the task of getting the man free, more urgent.  The angle made it difficult to free him.  He felt the new tender skin on the back of his hand pull and tear as he was trying to move the display case.  The largest burn spots had been across the ridge of his knuckles, and three separate blisters had formed there. The new skin looking almost like a thin oval brand.  Trying once more, he put his shoulder against the shelving pushing hard.   

Was it his imagination or did it really move?  He pushed again and knew it hadn’t   moved much if any.  Johnny moved so he could get to the HT in his turnout   pocket.  He had taken his air tanks off so he could give the trapped man some air.  Before pressing the button on the HT he took several deep breaths before placing the mask back on the man.

“Engine 51…HT 51.”

“Go ahead HT51.”  Cap answered. 

“Cap, I need help getting an unconscious man out of here.  He is wedged in and we have a room full of chemicals behind us.”

“Someone will be there soon as we can.  The entrance way needs some clean up first.”

“Copy that…we’ll be waiting for you.”  He put the HT back into his pocket and began trying to clear some of the other debris.  

The chemical smell was getting stronger as it heated up.  He was trying to stay focused but it was getting harder to do.  He went over and sat down next to the unconscious man.  He checked his pulse and respiration then took the mask to get some oxygen to clear his head.  

 He thought about Lee and Chloe and wondered how her day was going.    He knew Jeff was home and resting comfortably and that April and Mark were there with her.   He was glad she wasn’t alone if things didn’t go well with this run. 

Two months, it couldn’t be over this soon.   He and Lee had waited so long for Chloe to come into their lives, and even before that…before Lee had come into his life he had wanted a family, but he was being silly, the guys would be here soon. 

 Roy and the others would get them out soon.  It was just the heat and the fumes.  He stayed low to the floor and occasionally took a whiff of the oxygen. 

Cap hoped John didn’t know what an understatement that was…a little clean up?   The decorative stone work above the doorway had crashed down blocking the doorway.

“Chet, bring the K12   over here.  I think we are getting close.  Marco you go with Roy. 

Roy; take an extra air tank in with you.  John was worried about the chemicals in there.  I’d hazard a guess we’ll find him without a mask on.”

Chet and the others from 88 had come over to help with clearing the door way.  The paramedics from 88 had taken the man from the photography studio and an injured firefighter from 88 to Rampart.

“Well, Kelly it looks like you were right, that half breed isn’t only clumsy, he’s stupid. Did he figure out yet it was you that changed the oven temperature?”  Muller said as they were moving the brick and concrete from the doorway. 

 “Muller, get out of my sight.”  Hank Stanley hissed.  “Let your captain know I’ll be calling him.”

“Sure but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t care about your pet paramedic.”  Muller turned and then looked back to Chet.  “He drink any of that juice you doctored yet?  You’d think with a rich wife he would give up playing hero.”  He went off whistling. 

He knew he was already in trouble with HQ from a complaint from some old woman about his language and attitude.  Wasn’t the first time so he figured his days as a L.A. County firefighter were over any way.  He didn’t see any reason not to throw Kelly under the bus as he left. 

Chet didn’t say a word as he watched his so called friend walk away. 

Roy and Cap were watching him and he knew it was going to be an uncomfortable ride back to the station.   He had bragged he was going to spike the orange juice that Gage drank with something to make him sick, but luckily hadn’t done it yet.   What really hurt was the look Marco was giving him.  The look on his friend’s face wasn’t anger but disappointment and sadness.

The others from 88 worked harder as if trying to make up for Muller’s attitude. “Ok we’ve got a hole.  Desoto, you ready?”

Roy made his way through the narrow opening with an extra air tank, Marco followed with the jaws.  The air was sick with smoke and dust.   

They went into the lobby area then turned to the left entering Wilson’s Photography Studio.  There was some fallen stone work but it was easily moved aside.  They made their way in and found the two men on the floor. 

 Johnny opened his eyes as he felt Roy’s hand   on his shoulder.

“Pally.”  He said before closing his eyes again. 

Roy quickly got the air mask on him and moved him so that he could reach the photographer.  He found a pulse.  Pulling his mask off he turned to Marco.  “We need to get this unit moved so we can get him out.”  The heavy oaked unit moved slightly as Marco used the jaws.  They moved the unconscious man and Marco soon had him in a fireman’s carry while Roy did the same with Johnny. 

Once they had the men outside, they laid them down on the ground. 

Chet had brought the trauma box and bio phone over to where the yellow blankets had been spread out.    Vitals were taken and sent to Rampart and soon the ambulance left. 

 Nothing was said except orders for clean up as the men from 51 were dealing with what Muller had said each in their own way.  

Mike hadn’t heard the conversation but could feel the tension.

 As they climbed down from the engine Cap turned to Chet.  “Clean up and then in my office.”  

Cap had wisely sent Marco to Rampart to pick up Roy and hopefully John.

Mike Morton was in Treatment room 3 with Theo Wilson.   Kelly Brackett was in 2 with Johnny and Roy.   

Kel had cleaned the reopened burns and re bandaged them.  His lungs were sounding ok so they had taken the oxygen off.   

“I want you to keep moving those fingers gently so the skin doesn’t pucker.  The wounds look clean so there shouldn’t be any problem with infection.”

“Doc, this is Johnny we’re talking about.  He doesn’t know how not to have a problem.” Roy said with a grin. 

“Funny, Pally, really funny.”

 “So is he cleared to work?”  Roy got serious again.  

“Yeah as long as he uses some common sense.  Yes, I know its Johnny we’re talking about.  The scabs tore not the new skin.  Remember to be more careful when you set the oven, ok?”

“I still don’t understand how that happened.  I was sure I set that oven to 325…so the cheese would brown but not dry out.”

“Someone thought it would be funny if you ruined dinner by burning the mac and cheese.”

Johnny’s eyes got wider then narrowed making them look darker.  “Chet did that?  That …that…Why?”

“Why does Chet do anything?”  He wasn’t looking forward to being there when Johnny heard the rest of the conversation but he would because he knew his friend would be hurting.  “Come on, we should be getting back to the station.  Marco’s picking us up”

  Kelly Brackett saw the anger in his eyes.  “If your hand starts to bother you, call and I’ll give you a medical release from duty for the remainder of the shift.” 

Hank Stanley looked at the contrite Irishman standing before him.  “Don’t tell me it was just a prank or that it wasn’t supposed to go that far.   How many times have we been down this same line of bull?”

“I know changing the oven temperature was dumb.   I never thought Gage would go outside without checking on the stuff in the oven.”   Even to himself the excuse sounded lame and whinny.  “He just really made me mad when he was making cracks about my cooking and I just wanted to prove he wasn’t Mr. Perfect in the kitchen.  Just because Lee had taught him a few things…”

“The more you talk the more you sound like a spoiled 12-year-old.”  Hank said as he watched Chet’s face.  He didn’t see any real remorse just a pouty whiner.  “So, did you put something into the juice Johnny keeps in the fridge?”

“No.”   He didn’t add it was only because he had forgotten the small jar of brine off the jalapeno peppers he had bought for that purpose.   “I was spouting off the other day at the bar when Muller and I were playing pool.   Guess I had a little too much to drink.”

“And just what else was said the other day at the bar?”  

Hank knew the bar Chet and some of the others hung out at was run by a retired firefighter and a popular   place for first responders to hang out. Anything said there could spread like wild fire thru the department rumor mill.   “Anything else that could have a bearing on you and Gage working together?”  Chet knew it would go worse if Cap found out later what had been said about Chloe.  The bar had been crowded and he and Muller had been loud.  

“Muller asked me if Chloe was really Gage’s daughter…if Johnny was her biological father.  Made it sound like the adoption was just a cover up for him cheating on Lee.”

“What was your answer?”  Hank had to swallow the bile in his throat. 

“That it could be… that she looked a lot like him.”  Chet hung his head not wanting to see the look of disgust he knew was on Cap’s face.  “I was mad at Gage and   Muller he just kept egging me on.  I knew he hated John and Lee but I just didn’t think he would go so far as call Chloe …”  Hank held up his hand he didn’t want to hear any more.

“I’ll let John decide what if any charges he wants to bring against you for causing the injury to his hand.”

Johnny and Roy returned to the station a few minutes later.  Chet had been in the dorm alone since leaving the Cap’s office.  Mike and Marco had not said a word to him when he was in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee.  

“John, I’d like to see you alone in my office.”  Cap said as John poured himself a cup of coffee.  Do you want Roy to come in also?”

 “Yes.” Johnny followed him into the office, taking his coffee with him.  Roy followed, not saying a word.

 Cap settled in his chair looking grim.  “There is no excuse for what Chet did turning up the oven.  I believe him when he said he didn’t do it with intent to harm you.  It was a totally stupid thing for him to do that set off an unfortunate chain of events.”   Hank stopped to give John time to think on what he said.   “Muller and him were at the Ladder and Hose with some of Muller’s friends.  From what Chet told me, the conversation got personal about you and your family.  That Muller was telling anyone who would listen that you are Chloe’s biological father.  When he asked Chet what he thought he said she looked a lot like you and didn’t do anything to shut Muller up.” 

John felt like he had been punched in the gut.  He had heard that whispered but had chosen to ignore it, considering the source.  But Chet was his friend, had seen how much Lee had been hurt with each adoption application that was rejected. 

“I can’t help what stupid people think.  But I do have some say over who is around my family.  They can say what they like about me but not Lee and Chloe.”

“What about you being around Chet?”  Cap asked dreading the possible answer.

“If you are asking will I work with him and be civil the answer is yes.  If you’re asking me if I will socialize with him outside the station the answer is no.   But that doesn’t stop anyone else here from being his friend or change how I feel about them.”  Thinking of Marco who was Chet’s best friend.    “We have a good crew here Cap.  I’m not going to let any personal crap change how I do my job.   Not going to let a bigot and a drunk like Muller have that much control over me.  If Chet wants to hang out with people like that more power to him.  It’s none of my business as long as they stay clear of my family.” 

Hank listened to the cold hard anger in Johnny’s voice and the look of total disgust on his face.

“You and the guys decide if you still want the Fourth of July party at our place.   I won’t have Chet Kelly on our property…nowhere near my girls.  Last time I didn’t tell Lee what was said but this time I have to, just so she doesn’t get blindsided by the ugly rumor they were spreading.”

“I understand Pal.  And if it was my family I’d do the same.”   The SCU came on before Johnny could say anything.

 “Squad 51, illness….” 

Hank was grateful for the run and that it was squad only.  He went in to the dorm and talked with Chet explaining what John had said concerning the party and how he felt.   Chet just nodded and said thanks for letting him know.  Cap went out to the quiet kitchen and day room. 

“John wants us to decide if we still want the July Fourth party at his place.  He wanted you to know that Chet will not be invited.  To that or any other social gathering at their home.”

“He’s ok to work with Chet?”  Marco had been worried that Chet would be asked to leave the crew.  As angry as he was at his friend he didn’t want to see him go.

“John said he has no problem with working with Chet and has no problem with anyone else being Chet’s friend.  But he will not socialize with him.”

“Not many people would be that generous towards him.”  Mike said.  “Roy told me about how hard Johnny was working to make the Grove perfect for Lee and for this party.  Me and Melissa will be there.”

“I am sorry Chet won’t be there but my mother and some of my family have been looking forward to this.   What he did isn’t right in any way.” Marco said sadly.  

 While it was a party for all Station 51 shifts, A shift was the official host.  Several of the guys on C shift had traded with friends at other stations so they could attend or had said their families would still be there.   Em, Lee and Jo were coordinating the food.  Others were invited but the core was Station 51.

Chet came into the kitchen looking downcast. “Ahem, look, I know what I did was wrong but I never thought John would get hurt…I just wanted him to mess up dinner after what he said about my cooking.  And the other stuff…Marco tried to tell me it wasn’t a good idea to hang out with Muller.  It’s my own fault for not listening or thinking things through.  So I hope you’ll all forgive me and have a good time at the party.”

“Nice speech Kelly, hope you have one for Johnny as good.”  Roy said from the doorway.  “Cap, he said to tell you he’ll listen for the SCU but he needed some time alone before he came in.”   

 Chet didn’t say anything to Roy since it was obvious that the blond paramedic had nothing else to say to him.

Johnny stayed outside for about 15 minutes then came back in to call Lee. He wasn’t going to tell her about the conversation with Cap until he got home since he didn’t want to add to her stress. 

“You about ready to turn in for the night?”   He asked hearing in her voice how tired she was.

“Yep the Ladybug ‘s all set for a couple of hours. April is staying in the guest room next to Jeff tonight in case he needs anything during the night.  Tomorrow Jeff is supposed to walk short distances several times. Mark said he’d take him a few laps around so if we want to do anything we can.   They’ll stay a few more days then they’ll be off to New York.  How are you?  You sound troubled.”

“No just tired.  Soon as we hang up I’m going to bed.  Love ya.  Give Ms. Ladybug a kiss and a hug for me when she wakes up.”

“To go with the one I gave her from you when I put her down.   Luv ya Boyo.

“Love you Sweet Pea.”

When Johnny came in the next morning Lee could see how tired he was and that something was bothering him. 

“Sleep or breakfast?”  She asked after he kissed her.

“We need to talk first.   Let me grab some coffee and we’ll go into the sunroom.  You want some juice or anything?”

“Some milk…there’s coffee cake in the oven.    Mark and April are having     breakfast with Jeff in his room.  He and Mark are going walking in a little bit.”   Johnny carried the tray into the sunroom.  He hadn’t decided exactly what he was going to say.

“Is your hand ok?  You keep looking at it like it’s hurting you.”  Lee said after he had gotten settled at the table.

“Yeah it is…a little tender but not bad.  It wasn’t my fault after all though…Chet turned up the oven to 500 degrees as a joke.  He wanted the mac and cheese to burn… Me getting hurt was just an accident.”

“No, it was a consequence…for every action there is a reaction.    You getting hurt was the consequence of him acting irresponsibly.” Her anger was controlled because she knew Johnny would forgive Chet.  If she would that was up for debate.  

“That’s not the worst part…He’s been hanging out with Muller again.   Muller was trying to stir up trouble.”  He took a deep breath.  “He is spreading the rumors about Chloe… that Chloe is my biological daughter and you are using the adoption as a cover up for catching me cheating.   Or that we paid Anna to have my baby and let us adopt her…That Anna and Mark getting killed in that wreck was a lucky accident and  made it easier for us to lie about her…   Chet didn’t try to stop him…even agreed that Chloe looks like me.   That is what I can’t forgive.   That he would hurt you and a tiny baby.”

“I …I don’t think I want to talk about this or Chet.”  She couldn’t trust herself at this point.

“I told him he wasn’t welcome here anymore but I could work with him.  The guys agree; he is not invited to the picnic or any other thing we do here.”

“Good.” She couldn’t say more because her mind was blank, she was numb all over. 

Finally, she took a deep breath.  “Our friends know the truth and those who want to believe that garbage that’s their problem.  I love you and our daughter is lucky to have you for a dad.  Now…on to things that is a little bit happier.    I   got a call from Sam Jessup.  He needs to talk to us so he and Ashke are coming to dinner.   Jeff’s doing great and all the test results will be in by Monday.  He is planning to stay with us for a week but I think the other two are leaving in a few days.  Miss Chloe is wonderful and I weighed her yesterday and she is gaining weight…Hopefully when she goes in for her checkup they’ll increase her formula so she’ll sleep a little longer at night.”   

They talked awhile longer then went back to the kitchen.  Both were sad at the turn of events with Chet but both agreed that they were right in saying he was persona non grata in their home.  

 Jeff was in the recliner in the living room and April and Mark were talking about something Napoleon had done recently.  Lee went in to check on Chloe. The phone rang and Johnny answered.  He looked concerned.

“I’ll let her know.   Call over to Keelsons and have them deliver whatever you need.   She’ll give you a call if there is anything else.”   Just as he hung up Lee came back into the room with Chloe.

“Look who is up and wants to see everyone.”  Lee said.  “You know she was wide awake when I went in there watching the mobile Melissa made her.”   Johnny went over and got her.  “Who was on the phone?”

“Nell.   Someone took 2 cases of soda and the chips that were in the store room and left the freezer door wide open.   Most of the stuff in it was still pretty frozen so it hadn’t been open long.”

“Did you tell her to restock?”

“Yes.”  This was just another thing to stress Lee out.  “Do you want to stop feeding the guys?”

“No.  But I wish we could find out a way to stop this…You don’t think Chet?   One of his pranks?”

“No, he might be a jerk but he isn’t a thief.”  As if reacting to his mood change Chloe began to fuss.

“Why don’t you and April and Mark go down to the office and me and Johnny will hold down the fort.”  Jeff said.

“I   have a better idea…me and you’ll hold down the fort and Johnny can take them.  I need to do some laundry and think about what we’re having for dinner.”

“It’s not even lunch time yet.” Jeff said laughing.   “Does that mean you’re going to be baking?”

“Probably.  Boyo will ya stop at the market on the way home and get a fresh pineapple and some coconut for me?   And check with Mark if he has a nice bone for Ashke.  One with some meat left on it.”

“Who or rather what is Ashke?”  Jeff asked.

“Sam Jessup’s K9 partner, a beautiful German Sheppard.”

“That thinks Lee and Chloe are his own personal property.  No one dares look cross eyed at them when Ash is around.   He parks himself next to her especially if we’re outside.”

 Jeff just shook his head.

Lee   was busy in the kitchen when Johnny and the others returned.  Everyone was smiling and Johnny had a bag of groceries for her. 

“You want me to clean and chop the pineapple?  I couldn’t remember if you needed cream cheese so I got some and some 10x sugar.” 

“Have it but now I won’t have to put it on the resupply list.  Thank ya darling.  So what else is in that bag?”

“Five large orders of cheese sticks and four steak burgers and one order of crab cakes.   I also gave Shelia the picture I took of her and Mick with Chloe in the dress they gave her.”

“I quote ‘If you ever give up saving people you can open a business saving their memories.’   The pictures were beautiful” April said.

“I’ll get the ones I took of you all developed before you leave.  Just been kind of hectic.”

“After you finish with the pineapple why don’t you go develop the pictures.”   As they were talking Johnny had been putting groceries away.  Lee soon had lunch ready.

“Jeff, do you want to stay in there or come out here?”

“Out there.” 

As they ate April explained to Lee and Jeff what they had done in the office.   A repairman would be there to check on a printer problem as far as any one was concerned.  What he would actually be doing was setting up a security system.  Jeff was grateful for his friends and his boss for taking care of her. 

She had the cake in the oven and was cleaning the kitchen.  Johnny set the table on the porch and decided he could grill the steaks.  The bone he had gotten for Ash turned out to be a small steak so she would have that grilled also.  Dinner was pleasant and Ashke never got too far from Lee or the jogging stroller Chloe was in. 

When Lee was feeding Chloe, Mark made a sudden move towards them Ash raised up growling, his teeth showing as the low rumble came from his throat.

“It’s ok, Ash, he’s a friend.”  Lee quickly said as Mark backed away.”

“Nice protector you’ve got there.”  Mark muttered as he went back to his seat.  

“Sorry about that.”  Sam said with a shrug.  “He’s been on sick leave and getting a little antsy I think.   That’s what I wanted to talk to you about…Ash didn’t pass his physical.  The vet said the limp isn’t going to get any better.  For any other dog it wouldn’t be a big thing but for a K9…That bullet ended his career.”  He was stroking the dog’s neck as they talked.  “If I can’t find a good home the department approves of, they have the option of putting him down.”

“Would they approve a family that already loves him and has over 10 acres for him to run on?”  Lee asked with one of her raised eyebrow, tilted head looks at Johnny.  “John Roderick could put up beware of guard dog signs to go with the No Trespassing ones.”

“I was…Thanks…and you’ll let me come visit?”

“Anytime.  And bring that beautiful new lady friend…”  Sam’s wife had died several years ago and now that his daughter was a freshman in college he was starting to date again.

“She loves Ashe but her daughter is allergic…and since I’m over there a lot.”

“I like the idea of Lee and the baby having Ashke around.  Especially when Johnny is at work at night.”  Jeff injected into the conversation.  “I can put a good word in with my old friend.   Think he is about half afraid of Lee anyway so he should agree.”

“Just because I sued his department and won.   And because Maggie was my lawyer.  And her husband set there in the gallery everyday giving the judge and the defense attorney the evil fish eye.  Jean Paul is such a pussy cat and so sweet and gentle.”

“Is she talking about Maggie and Jean Paul Broussard?”  April questioned as the names rang a bell.

“Yep…they consider her their daughter.”  Jeff answered smugly.

“I must say you have a wide range of friends.”  April was more impressed with Lee the longer they were there.  They had spent some serious time talking about computers and the programs Lee had been writing.   They talked awhile longer and Sam promised he would call tomorrow and let them know if Ashke was going to be able to be adopted by them.

Time passed quickly and without problems.  Jeff healed well and soon was taking daily walks by himself or with Lee and Chloe. Everyone was glad when the doctors said he was in good health but it was bitter sweet as he went back to D.C.  

 Chet and Johnny were civil to one another and the others respected that.  Johnny would join into the evening card games and the banter was back too near normal between all the men. 

 There hadn’t been any unwanted visitors to the office and Lee had decided who ever it was had moved on. 

Ashke was adjusting well to life in the Gage household.  Unless told to go run he stayed close to Lee and Chloe. 

Stacy and Jen were very high on his favorite list.  The only one who didn’t like him was Jo’s mother who had over reacted when Ash went running up to Chris to get his friend to play ball.   The more he ran and played with the kids and took long walks with Lee and Johnny the less pronounced the limp became. 

 Johnny laughed and said he and Roy had long ago figured out their kids were the best physical therapist around.  All way proceeding well as far as the picnic was concerned.

 Johnny had felt a pang of regret when they were talking about all the things planned and Chet got up and left the room.  Lee was still adamant that he was not coming.

The morning before the picnic, Lee and Chloe both had doctors’ appointments.  As soon as Johnny got home, he loaded his girls into the mustang and they went to Dr. Westmore’s office. 

Johnny parked in the unloading zone and took Lee and Chloe up to Dr. Wetmore’s suite of offices.  He then left to park the car after signing them in. 

A few moments after Johnny left, a family came in with 3 children.  The mother was pushing a set of twin boys about a year old in a double stroller as the father carried a little girl about 2 and a half. 

Lee smiled as the little girl said “Pretty baby.”    When the father let her down the little girl came over to Lee looking at the wheelchair with great curiosity.  “Me ride?”  The little girl said as she touched the wheels.  The embarrassed father went over to her.

“Excuse her.  My best friend’s father in law is in a wheelchair and he loves giving her rides which she loves.

“Not a problem.  I’d much rather she come over and ask than be afraid of it like some children are.  She is adorable.  So are your boys.”  The two boys were happily looking around as their mom gave them an each a small animal.  She unpacked a stuffed lion that while clean, looked well loved. 

“Tina, do you want Leo?”  Her mom asked hoping to distract her.  Tina had gone over to the baby carrier   Johnny had sat on the coffee table next to Lee.  Holding onto the edge of the table up on her tip toes Tina was checking out Chloe.  

“No...”  Her mom laughed.  She gently touched the blanket’s edge.  “Pretty baby.”

“I think that is her favorite word since she turned two.  That and me.”

“And juice, don’t forget that one.  Especially at bedtime as a way of not going to bed.”

The tall dark haired man flashed a pleasant grin.  “She already loves trying to boss her brothers around.   Soon as either one starts crying she says no crying little foggy.”

“From Weepy Frog and Laughing Elf.   I love that book.   My favorite one by that author is What Am I Going to Do with You?  My dad use to read that to me almost every night. He had me convinced it was written just for me about me.”  

Lydia the receptionist came over to the waiting parents.  “Dr. Steve is running really late.  He had an emergency at the hospital.  I can reschedule you or you can wait.   Lee is Johnny with you?”

“Yes he’s parking the car.  I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t come up yet.”

“If you or Mrs. Farrow would like we can switch it so Dr. Terri can see you.  She came in to help since Dr. Westmore was also called in on the same emergency.  She should be ready to see one of you within the next 5 minutes.  She just got here from home.  Dr. Steve had someone call and so he should be here in about a half hour she thinks.”

“I’m fine waiting…We have a meeting later at Woodgarden Community Center but that’s not till three.”

“Is your meeting with Ira and Sarah Levin about the fund raiser for Special Olympics by any chance?”

“Yes and Mark and Heather Keelson.   Are you Kelly?  The writer Ira was telling me about?   He said you had three wonderful little ones.” 

“Yes…Kelly Farrow.  That is my husband Val over there with Kit and Dru Actually its Christopher and Andrew but Tina renamed them to suit herself.”

“I remember my dad telling me for the first year of her life I called my sister Arrow.   I hadn’t thought of that in years.  Oh, I’m Lee Gage and this is Chloe.  Somewhere around here I have a husband.   Chloe is here for a follow up on her new formula. She was a preemie so we do some extra checks and I needed one too.  Just so much easier for us to do them both the same day.”

“The boys were preemies also.  Dru had a rough start but he is fine and right on target with all his milestones.   I know we do that also. So how do you know Ira?”

“From being involved with Special Olympics because of Stevie Keelson and also thru my work with WBSF.   Stevie and I are special friends…and Mark and Heather are such great people.”

“Ira is one of our neighbors…as is a very special young lady named Megan who you will probably meet today.”  Kelly looked around to see what her husband was doing.  “Val, come here please.”   He came over pushing the stroller.  “Val, this Lee Gage.  She and her husband are going to be at the meeting this afternoon.  She is a friend of Ira’s.  And a big fan of Weepy Frog and the little girl who wouldn’t listen.”

His smile got even bigger at that.  “You know I asked my mom once why dad never gave that little girl a name.   She said it was because she forbids him to call her Muriel.   I’m very pleased to meet you Lee.”

“Your dad is Christopher Farrow?  I have loved his books for as long as I can remember.

" My dad always told me the little girl’s name was Lee.  I learned to read sitting on dad’s lap as he read to me and crashing my mom’s school room.”  She giggled.  “She taught in a one room school house on a very small Marine base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  I would beg her to go with her and as long as I behaved she let me.”   Lee was surprised she was telling these strangers so much about herself.  “I loved going to the Met to hear your mother.  I was lucky enough to see her there twice.  Then saw her once at the Hollywood Bowl.”

“Mrs. Farrow, Dr. Westmore can see you now.”

“Thanks Lydia.  Well, I guess we will see you later today at Ira’s.”  She went into the inner office area.

“How old is your little girl?”  Val asked looking down at the sleeping infant.

“Ten weeks.  The doctors thought she would be born in late May or early June but she came in April.  But she is doing fine.” 

 “Potty now.”  The small dark haired toddler demanded as she came over from the toy box. 

“You take her; I’ll keep an eye on the boys.”  Lee volunteered.   

Johnny came in and saw Lee playing with the twins.  They hadn’t been really happy at the fact their daddy walked away.  She was keeping them busy and giggling with a small stuffed frog that she made hop from one to another.

“Flirting?”

“Sure; I thought you had abandoned me and Chloe.”    Her eyes were laughing at the face he made.

“No I was talking to Gary Fischer.  He was coming out of Dr. Master’s office.  He gets his cast off next week and starts pt  right after that…should be back to work in about six more weeks.  So who are your friends?”

“Their mother is in with Dr. Terri and their dad is in the potty with their big sister.   Their parents are friends with Ira and will be at the meeting today.   Dr. Steve is running late so we may see Dr. Westmore or Dr. Terri first.”

“No problem.”  Johnny sat down and started playing with the boys also.  One of them started crying and from the smell they knew the reason. 

“Sorry little guy, you’re gonna have to wait till your dad gets back…” 

Chloe decided to add her voice to the crying and Lee just smiled at the look on Johnny’s face.  He went over and picked her up and began walking her.  She wasn’t wet so that wasn’t the problem. 

“I guess that is something else she shares with you, Boyo, she doesn’t wait well.”  

Johnny harrumphed at her and continued walking.    Lee smiled as he walked out of the part of the waiting room they were in to the central area looking at the paintings on the wall and talking to Chloe.  

There were 2 waiting areas divided by an open space where the reception desk was.  Lee and Johnny were in the smaller area that also had a children’s play area.  It was the less crowded area as Dr. Steve was the only one of the pediatricians to have morning hours on Wednesday. 

Val came out of the restroom and Lee said she would watch Tina while he took care of the boys.   Just as Val came back Lydia said Dr. Westmore would be ready to see Lee in just a few minutes for her to go into the exam room. Lee said they would be there as soon as Tina’s dad came back.  

 Lee wheeled herself towards the exam rooms.  Johnny met her in the hallway and they went in.  He got Chloe strapped into her carrier and then helped Lee get changed.  Lee had found a lump on her side a few days previously and had wanted to see Dr. Westmore as soon as possible.  Not because she was worried but she knew Johnny would be when she told him.  Since they already had the appointment with Dr. Steve they had set this one up also.  Dr. Westmore was usually not at this office on Wednesdays until after 1 o’clock but had made some changes in her schedule for Lee.

Johnny lifted Lee onto the table then moved the wheelchair out of the way.  He had put the carrier with Chloe on a table after rearranging some magazines.

Dr. Westmore came in and soon had taken the tissue sample she wanted.  Johnny had winced at the size of the needle but Lee hadn’t seemed to notice.

“I’m sure it is just scar tissue but we’ll check to be sure.  Do you remember injuring that area?”

“No and it doesn’t hurt.  But I didn’t want him stewing over it.  Ya know he gets a little over protective.”

“I’ve never noticed that.” They laughed at the slightly red faced paramedic.  “I’ll have them call as soon as we get the tests results back but John, seriously, I am fairly sure it’s nothing to worry about.   If I wasn’t sure I would not have told you that.”

They went back out to the waiting room.  Johnny sat the baby carrier back on the table.

“I’m going to go get a soda…you want one?”

“Yes please and thank you.”

Johnny came back with the two sodas and saw Lee talking to the couple with the three kids. 

“Johnny, I want you to meet Kelly and Val Farrow.”   Lee said.

Johnny and Val looked at each other each with a look of concentration and a slight frown at not being able to remember. 

“You look …It was you…Kelly this is the paramedic who saved you and the boys.  One of them.    Remember Dr. Westmore telling me they were the best in the county and he told you his wife was a patient of hers.  I saw you in the hospital later, you went up to check on the boys.  Asked if it was ok if your wife came up to see them…after you asked about Tina.”  Everything that happened when the boys were born was still vivid in his mind.

 “Do you go to the Golden Dragon a lot?  I think I have seen you there a few times. You would look familiar but I could never place where I knew you from.”    Johnny said as he walked over to the boys.  “They both look so good.  Which is the younger one”

“Dru.  We go there a lot my best friend is one of the owners.”  Val answered still not believing this meeting was happening.

“Andrew James…Christopher Sean is the oldest and he seems to know it.  Val’s dad was Christopher James my dad is Andrew Sean…. My dad and mom live in Boston but they come out here when winter in Boston gets to them.  Val’s mom pops in every so often.  They’re all going to want to meet you.”  Kelly also had tears in her eyes.   “My mom says a prayer for you every time she goes to mass to thank you for saving our lives.

Johnny had picked Dru up from the stroller.  “They were even smaller than Chloe…I wasn’t …when he finally cried it…it was a miracle.”  Johnny said as he made the baby laugh tickling his chin. 

“Lydia said something special was happening out here.”  Steve and Terri Ramon had been watching the two for a few minutes.  “She heard you talking when she came to tell you I was ready to see Chloe.”

“I forgot all about her seeing you, sorry, but this…”

“No problem.  Let’s go check her out.” 

The Fourth of July dawned sunny and bright.  All the prep work that could be done was done. Basically the only thing left to do was set out food and enjoy.  They were expecting between 75 to 125 people since it was an all-day open housed kind of party.  The invitations said the main meal would start at 2:00 but the pool and other activities would be open at 12:00.   Johnny and Roy had just returned from taking the tubs of ice and soda to the grove.   Chloe was dressed in her new dress from her great aunt Rosemary.  It was white with red and blue stars.   She had even gotten socks to match.  Rosemary was out of town and had sent her regrets but made sure they knew she appreciated the invitation.

“Looks like everything is ready.  Like your new suit…Conservative but sexy.”  Johnny said as he bent down to kiss her.  “You gonna swim today?”

“Playing volleyball and looking forward to beating Tom and shutting his mouth.   You would have thought he learned his lesson at the Monte Carlo.  Don’t challenge me and then expect me to back down.”  Wheeler was a show off and it irked Lee when he would take credit for things others had done.  

“Some people are just slow learners.”  Johnny said laughing.  At a department fund raiser Monte Carlo Wheeler had made the mistake of telling Lee to stick to the slots and leave the real games of skill to the guys.  She proceeded to clean him and three others out at the poker table.  She hadn’t seen any reason to mention she grew up playing poker with cops from New York and L.A., as well as a few ex Marines, plus she had a good memory for cards that had been played.  Johnny caught himself just before he mentioned she had also cleaned out a bragging Chet Kelly also.  He wasn’t going to ruin her day with a mention of him.

“I put some board games and cards in the pool house if anyone wants to play.  And I put some of the coloring books and books in there and a few extra baby supplies.  If anyone with kids want a quiet place to rest or maybe get the little ones to nap.  Ibbie would be helping Hank’s daughter and her friend’s baby sit if anyone needs one.  This gave the girl the freedom to come and go as they were needed.

“Sounds like you have everything in hand.”  He bent down and kissed her.  “Thanks for doing this.”

“We promised your friends a party.  We kept Chloe’s party small just family…now it’s time to have everyone who wants to come…with a few exceptions.”

 He didn’t miss the change in her tone. He frowned not liking that at all.  “Since when did they become My friends not our friends?   If there is something bothering you I need to know now so I can maybe help with whatever is bothering you.

“Nothing is bothering me.   Most of the people who are coming today are from the department or Rampart or law enforcement just like our wedding.   I guess it’s just pre party nerves.”   She smiled.  “I will be fine once everything gets started.  Honestly.  Jen told me last night her grandparents decided not to come, they are going to her great aunt’s instead.   For a minute I was actually happy they weren’t coming.  But I felt bad for Jenny.  She was looking forward to showing her grandparents how well she does in the pool.   I am so tired of all the toxic people in our lives.  I really liked the couple we meet the other day at the doctors.  I think I’m going to invite them over for dinner some night soon.  What do you think?”

“I think you are wonderful and so is that idea.  If something was wrong, you’d tell me right?”

“Of course.”

“Now, let’s just relax for a few minutes.  You need to get something to eat before everything gets crazy.  Knowing you, you’ll be too busy to eat.”

By 1:30 there were 115 people enjoying the picnic.  Some were in the pool; some were sitting in groups just talking or playing cards or board games.  The wagon ride around the property was a big hit as was the Grove.  Johnny had made sure there was plenty to drink and a good supply of snacks out there.  A pickup game of soccer was in full swing, fire against law enforcement personnel and their kids. 

 Johnny turned driving the tractor over to Hector.   Hank, Mike, Roy and Marco were manning the grills.    A few of the mothers of the younger kids had been a little leery of the huge German Shepherd that followed Lee around but soon were put to ease as Ash let them pet and climb over him.  He had seemed to add them to his priority list and the only time they heard him growl was when a little one got too close to the grill when Hank had gone inside to get more hot dogs. 

The grateful mother gave the dog a hug.  Lee and the A shift wives and girlfriends were setting out the food and in general over seeing everything.  Melissa had set up a table for face painting that had been popular with kids and adults. 

The pool was popular with everyone following the rules and the schedule.  Lee had worried about the little ones being over run with the older kids so they had a 30-minute period when it was only parents and kids under 5 in the water.   There would be other scheduled times for them later in the day also.  At 5:00 the pool would be closed for the volley ball game.  Lee was a team captain as was Tom Wheeler.

“The food is amazing.”  Johnny said as he refilled his plate.  “There is Mexican, Chinese, something from Poland…some kind of sausage pie… and I haven’t even been to the dessert table yet.”

“Keep eating like that and you’ll sink like a rock when it’s time to play volley ball.”   Tom Wheeler said as he walked by with a plate of desserts.   “That’ll be a good excuse for you when my team beat yours so bad.”

“You willing to back that up with a wager, Tom?”  Lee said as she wheeled   over to where the two men were.   “$50 dollars to a charity of the winner’s choice?”

“Make it $100 and you’ve got a deal.”    While only six played at a time the teams had more players, they would rotate in and out as the game progressed.  Tom had picked his core team with care looking forward to getting even with her for laughing at him at the Monte Carlo.  

They had been practicing at a local pool with friends.   Lee had let Johnny handle setting up their team.   Hank and Mike were fine with being spectators.  Marco was going to be leaving just about the time the game began to take his mother to his aunt’s for a family gathering.  Roy was on Lee’s team as was Jake Lackey and Charlie Dwyer and Rob Jones.  

Jake was a lines man from 88 who had been at 51 on C shift before getting the chance to move to 88 on A shift.  That move worked out better for him and his family.

“Ok, everyone ready?  Any disputed calls will be handled by our judge, Vince. Now any more questions?”  Lee asked.  

Roy and Johnny could hear the undertones in her voice.   Roy didn’t know what but something had changed.  Lee wasn’t playing for fun, she was out for Wheeler’s blood and wanted to see him bleed bad.  

Most of the people watching had never seen Lee in the pool before so they were surprised seeing her moving so quickly and gracefully yet with power.  Johnny and Jake would set the plays up with some help from their other team mates and she would slam the ball.  Her aim was really good and she had a good eye for sending the ball towards the weakest player. 

Wheeler was getting really frustrated as were some of his more aggressive friends.  They were being made to look incompetent and sloppy.  Several times they lost control of the  ball by sending it out of  bounds.

“Who is she mad at?  I’ve never seen her so competitive before.”  Emily asked Hank.  “You can almost see the anger in her.”  

 Emily knew the $100 wasn’t a big deal to her.   Lee hit the ball and Wheeler returned it straight towards her.  Jake   leaned over and smashed it back to the other side.  There was a cheer as Vince called “Winning point.” 

Johnny looked at Lee and winked then went under water.  The next thing anyone knew Lee was up on his shoulders.   Laughing she did a flip off of his shoulders and came up on the other side of the net, next to Wheeler.

“Tom, tell you what, we’ll divide the $100…$50 for the playroom at Rampart and $50 for whatever charity you pick.”  She held out her hand for him to shake.  He shook her hand but did not look happy.  Everyone knew he  was a bad  loser and she  was a gracious winner, usually. 

“I keep telling you all don’t underestimate her.”  Johnny said proudly.  “There is still plenty of food, so everyone help yourself.  There are marshmallows and other camp fire treats out in the grove in a little while.”    He swam over to the side of the pool where Lee was talking with several of the players from both teams.  

 Wheeler wasn’t part of that group but was close by.  In a normal conversational tone and volume, she addressed her remarks towards him  but everyone near the pool could hear her.

 “Tom, next time you want to talk trash about me or my family make sure I can’t hear you.  That goes double for spreading rumors.   I will file a complaint with my bosses, who will in turn file one with your bosses and my boss’s like me a lot and so do some of your bosses. At least Brice is man enough to say what he thinks to my face not behind my back.  I am through letting you or anyone else use me and John Roderick as doormats.   You seem to see us trying to ignoring the garbage you let spill out of your mouth as being weak.  Neither one of us are weak or stupid.   Those lies about Chloe Elizabeth… There aren’t words enough to tell you how low that is…lower than whale crap, maybe?”  She did a graceful dive and came up on the other side of the pool smiling at Johnny as he lowered the lift chair.

“Feel better now that you had your say?”   The look he gave her let her know he wasn’t angry with her. In fact, it said  how proud of her he  was.

“Yep.  I’m going to go in and change then I want to go out to the grove for a while.  Didn’t you say something about roasted marshmallows and so ‘mores?”

 A quick rinse off in the shower, then she was dressed and ready to go to the grove. 

There were still about 30 people at the house and maybe another 25 or 30 already out at the grove. 

 Tom Wheeler and several of his buddies left without a word to anyone.   Hank watched as Lee talked and laughed with the group around the fire ring.  She had everyone laughing at some story she was telling about the trip to Hawaii that they and the DeSoto family had taken to Hawaii back in the spring. 

About 8:00 the party started to break up as many were going off to see fireworks when it got darker.   Lee had hired some of the bussers from O’Sheas’ to help with the cleanup so that was going smoothly. By 9, all had left except Roy and Jo, Emily and Hank.   Chris and Jenny had gone with the Killdare’s to a local park to watch the fireworks display.  

 Lee was giving Chloe a bottle as she sat in the porch swing with Jo and Em in lounge chairs.  Roy, Johnny and Hank were out finishing the cleanup at the grove.

“So, are you happy with the way the day went?”  Em asked as Lee rocked the sleeping infant.

“For the most part.  Johnny had fun.  I swear I think his favorite part was driving the kids around the fence line in the hay wagon.  That and listening to everyone talk about how amazing the grove is.  I heard several people ask where Chet Kelly was and I heard some comments about what I told Tom Wheeler.   One of the guys from 88 said I put Wheeler in his place with style and grace.  I did hear someone warn one of the men I didn’t know to not even think about bumping my chair when Ashke was lying next to me.  I think poor Ash is worn out running back and forth between the grove and the yard following the hay wagon.”

“Everyone was impressed with how well behaved he is.”  Jo said.  “I heard Stacy and Jen telling him not to chase the Frisbee it wasn’t his turn to play.   He looked almost glad to lay down and just watch.”

“I’m glad that people had a good time.  It’s important to the Boyo that his friends know his home is always open to them.  He just asks that they call ahead before they come in case we aren’t home.”  She yawned.

 “Are you going to the park for the fireworks?”  Emily asked as she took the sleeping baby from Lee.

“No not a big fan of them…Is that unpatriotic to say?  Never did like them even when I was little.” 

“I think over the years I have heard too many horror stories about people getting hurt or killed.”  Emily said.  “I’m always glad when Hank has this holiday off.” Jo nodded in agreement. 

With a little help from Jo Lee transferred over into her chair and they went inside to put the sleeping baby to bed.   They stayed inside and played dominos while they  waited for the  guys  to  come  back.

Out at the grove the guys were busy cleaning up.  Johnny was really pleased how everyone had made an effort to clean up after themselves. 

He and Roy emptied the trash barrels into the large container they had on the back of the wagon.  The only damage they found was some flowers that had been stepped on during a spirited game of keep away. 

 After the trash was collected Johnny handed Roy and Cap a beer and got a coke for himself.

“You think everyone had a good time?  I know they enjoyed the food.”  Johnny said after downing the soda in 2 gulps.

“Yeah I think they did.  Maybe not Tom Wheeler and his friends but Tom usually is a good sport after he has time to cool down.”

“I think Lee handled it well.  This should put a stop to a lot of the rumors.  Roy, did anyone ask you why Chet wasn’t here?”  Johnny asked with a sigh.  “I hate to admit it but I kind of missed him.  He just needs to learn to control that mouth of his…I can’t understand why he has been hanging around so much with Muller.”

“Marco has been really busy with his family and Anita.  That plus Suzi being so wrapped up in her school work, I think he was just lonely.”  Cap said his insight right on.  “You have been so busy with this project and your girls.  Didn’t I hear him ask you about going bowling a while ago and you said no you were too busy?” 

“Yeah but I was trying to get this set up.   That still doesn’t excuse what he did.”

“No it doesn’t. It’s just something to think about.  If he feels slighted and that everyone is against him…Is that going to help matters?  For anyone?”

Anyone driving by would see a well-run family farm.  The large farm house surrounded by a well-kept lawn, clean well-kept out buildings and barns and fields of produce and a small orchard.  Inside the house was a fully equipped medical facility and other offices as well as the pleasant down stair living space.  

 In one of the comfortable bedrooms Jeff Spencer and Gina Stewart were going over some reports as Jeff was hooked up to an IV.  The IV was administrating a drug to counter the effects of the previously unknown toxin in his system.   The doctors and head chemist were sure a few more sessions and all the side effects would be gone.  They were planning on discontinuing the dialysis in another week.  Gina handed him the last of the reports.

“So do you think you’re going to like your new job as section chief?”

“Yeah, I do.  I know it’s going to make Lee happier.  I hate to admit it but I am getting a little old to be running around chasing  the bad guys.   This just moved up the time table a little.   So do you think you’ll like being married to a section head?”

“I think so.  When are you going to tell Lee?”

“Soon as you give me a date so I can let her know all the details.  And I need to know where you want the wedding.  Here in New York or DC or at your family’s house?”

“Let’s just wait awhile until we are settled in our new jobs,”

“Just don’t wait too long…I just learned the hard way what the consequences of procrastinating can be.   If I had gone to the doctors before going on that last mission maybe the medical issues wouldn’t have been  life threatening..”  He smiled as she came over to kiss him.

Three weeks later:

  Lee was working late at her WBSF office so she would not have to worry about getting it done  tomorrow when Johnny was off.  She was planning on the annual WBS Consortium meeting in August to be similar to the Fourth of July picnic.  It would be at their house but since it was a corporate event she was using O’Sheas’ and the Hogan’s to cater the event and would hire someone to do the set up and cleanup. She was just about to leave when Johnny called her.

“Hey Sweet Pea, any chance you can send food over to the station?  We’ve been swamped all day.  Got called out before lunch.  The guys are gonna be starved by the time they get back there.   It’s my turn to cook and  we’re gonna be tied up her for a while helping.”   It was a little after 5.

“Sure…I have your extra set of keys so I can let myself in.   Any special requests?”

 “How about the Golden Dragon?  Just a mix of stuff, ok?  Thanks darlin’.”

 She was so busy with all the preparations she  didn’t even stop to think about seeing Chet.  He and Johnny had had a truce going on and actually were back to being friends.  

 The  get together that A shift had had since the Fourth had been ok.  One Chet hadn’t gone to and the other was a night Lee and Johnny had already had plans with Kelly and Val Farrow working on a major fund raiser for Special Olympics.   She called the order into the Golden Dragon  then called O’Sheas’ Bakery and Deli to have an assortment of cupcakes and brownies sent over to the station.

Lee had been at the Station for about 15 minutes when the engine got back.  There was a fresh brewed pot of coffee and large pitchers of ice tea and lemonade waiting.  They had seen her car in the parking lot and had wondered what she was doing there.

After greeting them and explaining the phone call from Johnny she said, “If one of you tall gentlemen would reach down the plates, I can set the table while you get cleaned up, Johnny and Roy should be back soon, if not go ahead and eat…There is plenty of food coming so there should be something everyone likes.  Couldn’t remember what kind of rice you liked so got both kinds and extra egg rolls.” She smiled at the amazed look on their faces.  “Tell the Boyo and Roy I said hi.”  She started towards the door.

“Aren’t you going to stay and have supper with us?”  Cap asked.  “It sounds as if you’ve ordered enough for a small army.”

“Thank you I would like that very much...I called Ibbie and told her I wasn’t sure when I would be home before I came over.” 

Mike and Marco had gone into the locker room and Cap was headed for his office.  Chet had just sort of stood off by himself.   As he started out to the locker room she spoke directly to him. “Chet, I remembered you like the hot and sour soup so I made sure to order some and there are some of the banana walnut cupcakes you like in the box.”

“Thanks, uh, does that mean you aren’t mad at me anymore?”  He looked surprised and relieved.

“That means that John Roderick doesn’t think you meant to hurt him or really believed what Muller said.  It also means I respect my husband and if he wants to be friends with you I have no right to say you aren’t welcome in his home.  Right now even if we aren’t exactly friends we aren’t enemies either.  I promised Johnny and I promised myself I would never do anything to harm his friendships with you all here at the  station…  I mean to keep that promise to him.  And I will make you a promise…You ever do anything to hurt him again I will do something about it.  Whatever I need to do... I will make your life a living hell, is that understood?  You will suffer the consequences of your actions.

“Yes.” 

The food and two tired and hungry paramedics arrived at the station 10 minutes later.   Johnny didn’t seem too surprised that she was still there or that she had buried the hatchet so to speak with Chet.  

 Roy’s only thought on the matter was Chet was lucky it wasn’t buried in his thick skull. 

As Lee was leaving the station she issued an invitation for them to plan on having a game night soon.

“I just bought a new board game…Think you all will enjoy it, especially you Chet.  It’s called Consequences.”    The look on Chet’s face was priceless.

“That’s my girl…always the last word.”  He laughed as he pushed her out to the car.  After helping her get in, he bent down and kissed her warmly.

“Thanks.”

“For what?”  She asked.

“For being you.  Love ya.”

“Love you Boyo.  See you in the morning.  Stay safe, all of you.”

“Carl Muller, you’re under arrest for larceny.  You have the  right to remain silent…”  Officer Pete Malloy read the ex-firefighter his rights as his partner Jim Reed cuffed him.

“What are you talking about?  This is a frame up.”  The angry man turned and moved towards Malloy as if he was going to head butt him.  “You can’t prove anything because I didn’t do anything.”

“We have a video of you and your cousin taking cases of soda and chips and other items from the Office of Data and Statistical Analysis at Rampart General.”  

 No one  had  paid a lot of attention to a janitor moving boxes in and out of the office. 

“If Gage had minded his own business, my cousin would have been a fire fighter like me…He told someone at the academy my cousin was using …it was just a little pick me up to help him get thru the obstacle course.  A lot of the guys were doing it.   Then everyone thinking he and that partner of his were the best…That Station 51 was better than any of the rest of us…”   He continued to rant and rave as they put him in the patrol car. 

Johnny was doing the crossword puzzle as Lee was fixing breakfast.   He frowned as he nibbled on the end of his pencil.

“What’s a 12 letter word for an event’s reactions?”

“Consequences.  I’ve been thinking a lot about consequences lately.   If you and Roy hadn’t come to that first meeting, we probably would never have met.  So was it fate or a consequence of  Kel’s asking you to be on the committee? Some are short term and some are long  term.    

“Fate or consequence…doesn’t matter which it was.  All I  know it  was the  luckiest  day of  my  life.”

                                          The End.

Posted to Site 8/13/16

Links to Parts 1. 2.